# Gonabad

Gonabad (Persian: گناباد) is a city in the Central District of Gonabad County, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.
The city is best known as the home of the Gonabadi Dervishes and also for its qanats, (known also as kariz). It is one of the most important producers of saffron in Iran. Other agricultural products include: Grape, Pistachio and pomegranate. The shrine the Ni'matullāhī Gonabadi dervish order is located in Beydokht, a village in the Gonabad county.

## History

The famous ancient Battle of the Twelve Combats (Davazdah Rokh) between the rival empires of Iran and Turan (Central Asia) took place at Zibad Castle in this city - as memorably related in the epic Shahnameh.
The construction of this city is attributed to the Achaemenid kings and during the Seljuk Empire and Khwarazmian dynasty periods (fifth to seventh centuries AH) it was Shahrabadi.
Gonabad has also been recorded in Arabic and Islamic sources as Janabd, Kanabd, and Yanabd.The Yasemi family is one of the oldest families living in Gonabad.

## Demographics
### Population

At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 34,563 in 9,789 households. The following census in 2011 counted 36,367 people in 10,389 households. The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 40,773 people in 12,037 households.

## Geography and climate

The city of Gonabad is in the south of Khorasan Razavi province on the Brakuh plateau. The city is located on a flat plateau and is 24 km away from the Barakuh mountain range. The highest peak of Barakuh is called Tirmehi Mountain or Zibad Mountain. The city of Gonabad is located in an arid and semi-desert climate on the edge of the desert. This city has been facing a serious drought crisis in recent years. The city of Gonabad is located on the plain and plateau of Siah Kooh or Ghahestan mountain range. Ghahestan mountain range in Gonabad region is more known as Brakuh, Siah Kooh and Zibad mountain.

## Historical sites, ancient artifacts and tourism
### Forud Castle

Forud Castle is a historical castle located in Gonabad County in Razavi Khorasan Province, The longevity of this fortress dates back to the Parthian Empire.

### Zibad Castle

Zibad Castle is one of the four historical monuments of Zibad, Iran. In 2001, the castle was registered as a national property in Iran, which is related to the history of pre-Islamic Iran, and is located in Gonabad city, Kakhk district, in the residential area of Zibad. It has been registered as national heritage. In addition to the castle of Zibad, there are also the royal castle of Zibad nationally registered under the name of Shahab Castle in 2002.

### Jameh Mosque of Gonabad

The Jameh Mosque of Gonabad is related to Khwarazmian dynasty and is located in Gonabad.

### Qanats of Gonabad

The Qanats of Ghasabeh, also called Kariz Kai Khosrow, is one of the world's oldest and largest networks of qanats (underground aqueducts). Built between 700 and 500 BCE by the Achaemenid Empire in what is now Gonabad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, the complex contains 427 water wells with a total length of 33,113 metres (20.575 mi). The site was first added to UNESCO's list of tentative World Heritage Sites in 2007, then officially inscribed in 2016, collectively with several other qanats, as "The Persian Qanat".

## Education and culture
### Higher education

Gonabad can be considered the most student city in Khorasan Razavi province. According to unofficial statistics, about 30% of the city's population (equivalent to about 12,000 people) are indigenous and non-indigenous students. The most important higher education centers in Gonabad:
* Gonabad University of Medical Sciences
* Islamic Azad University, Gonabad Branch
* University of Gonabad

## Gallery

* Qanats of Gonabad
* Qanats of Gonabad
* Qanats of Gonabad
* Anthropological Museum
* Anthropological Museum
* Anthropological Museum
* Anthropological Museum
* Anthropological Museum
* Anthropological Museum
* Anthropological Museum
* Anthropological Museum
* Anthropological Museum
* Forud Castle
* Forud Castle
* Zibad Castle
* Zibad Castle
* Jameh Mosque of Gonabad
* Jameh Mosque of Gonabad