Khewran

Khewran is a village situated in the western part of the Zagros mountain range within the jurisdiction of the Alborz province of Iran. The settlement lies at approximately 35.5 degrees north latitude and 48.3 degrees east longitude, at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level. The surrounding terrain consists of rugged limestone cliffs, interspersed with semi‑arid valleys that support terraced agriculture and date palm cultivation.

The earliest historical references to Khewran appear in 12th‑century Persian chronicles, where it is noted as a small Kurdish‑speaking hamlet engaged in trans‑regional trade between the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. Over the centuries the village has maintained a largely agrarian lifestyle, with residents cultivating wheat, barley, and oilseeds, while pastoralism—particularly sheep and goat herding—has long been integral to the local economy. In recent decades, a modest influx of tourism centered on the region’s natural beauty and traditional crafts, such as hand‑woven rugs and metalwork, has supplemented income streams.

At the latest census the population of Khewran is recorded as 1,145 individuals, comprising primarily Kurdish and Persian linguistic groups. The community retains a vibrant cultural calendar, featuring annual festivals that celebrate harvests, poetry, and traditional music performed with instruments such as the daf and ney. A small mosque serves as both a religious center and venue for communal gatherings. While educational facilities are limited to a primary school, many young people travel to nearby towns for secondary education and employment opportunities. The village’s demographic trend shows gradual urban migration, yet a strong attachment to ancestral land continues to anchor the existing population.