Bakhsh Central Population 103,369 (2011) | County Masjed Soleyman Time zone IRST (UTC+3:30) Local time Tuesday 6:33 PM | |
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Weather 21°C, Wind W at 6 km/h, 35% Humidity Neighborhoods Naftoon, Poshte Borj, Naftak, Main Office, Scotch, National Park | ||
Masjed Soleyman (Persian: مسجدسليمان, Lurish: مسسلیموو Mas-seleymoo; also Romanized as Masjed Soleymān, Masjed-e Soleymān, Masjed Soleiman, and Masjid-i-Sulaiman) is a city in and the capital of Masjed Soleyman County, Khuzestan Province, Iran. At the 2006 census, its population was 206,121, in 51,530 families. Masjed Soleiman is a historical city which is located among the Zagros Mountains.
Contents
- Map of Masjed Soleyman Khuzestan Province Iran
- Geography
- Main sights
- Ancient history and etymology
- Contemporary history
- Notable people
- References
Map of Masjed Soleyman, Khuzestan Province, Iran
Geography
Masjed Soleyman was inhabited by various clans of Bakhtiari tribes but oil exploration in this area attracted other people from other parts of Bakhtiari zones to this city for trade or jobs.
Main sights
Masjed Soleiman's most interesting parish is Tembi, and historical and ancient site is Sarmasjed Temple in the northeast. Sarmasjed temple is on the verge of Sarmasjed terrace, in ancient time fire had been continuously flaming inside it. And according to historians was the capital of Achaemenian Reign. Among other Masjed Soleiman ancient relics, we can suggest the ancient Temple of Bard-e-Neshande.
Ancient history and etymology
According to historical scripts, In elamite empire the name of masjed soleyman was Assak and after following the Persian invasion this name change to parsomash. They founded the city of Parsumash in memory of their motherland near the city of Anshan which is the fatherland of Pasargadae and Persepolis.
A French archaeological expedition under the supervision of Prof. Roman Ghirshman made some important discoveries. Ghirshman believes Parsomash (present-day Masjed Soleyman) was the oldest capital of the Achaemenian Kingdom.
Contemporary history
Masjed Soleyman's importance today is in oil exploration. William Knox D'Arcy, by contract with the Emir of Mohammerah, Sheikh Khaz'al Khan al-Kaabi, obtained permission to explore for oil for the first time in the Middle East, near this city. This event changed the history of the Middle East. The oil discovery led to petrochemical industry development and also the establishment of industries that strongly depended on oil.