MASHHAD

Mashhad is known as the second largest city in Iran after Tehran. The city is ranked second in the country after the capital, both in terms of area and population. The city was originally called Tus, and after that the grave of the eighth Imam of Shia, Imam Reza (AS) became popular as Mashhad. In spite of having various industries and products such as cultivating saffron, carpet weaving, leather making and handicrafts of silver and turquoise, the religious tourism is the main point of Mashhad’s economy. Due to the large area and large numbers of pilgrims and tourists in Mashhad, much attention is paid to the internal and external transportation system of this city. In 2009, Mashhad was chosen as the “spiritual capital of Iran”. One of the most important places in Mashhad is the tomb of Ferdowsi, poet of Shahnameh. Around Mashhad there are excellent and famous places of recreation and tourism like Torghabeh, Shandiz and Chalidereh.