Mashhad

Mashhad is a city in northeastern Iran and the capital of Razavi Khorasan Province. It is Iran's second-most populous city after Tehran, with a metropolitan population estimated at around three million. The city is a major religious and cultural center, best known for the Imam Reza Shrine, which attracts millions of pilgrims each year.

The name Mashhad derives from Persian mashhad, meaning “place of martyrdom” or “burial place.” The city grew around the shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia imam, and has developed into a major pilgrimage site and urban center over the centuries.

Geographically, Mashhad lies on the eastern part of the Iranian plateau and experiences a semi-arid climate, with hot summers and cold winters. The surrounding region includes urban development and agricultural land, contributing to the local economy and culture.

Economy and infrastructure are dominated by religious tourism and related services, along with trade and manufacturing in the broader metropolitan area. Mashhad is served by Mashhad International Airport (MHD) and is connected by rail and road to Tehran and other cities, making it a major transportation hub in northeastern Iran. The city hosts several higher education institutions, including Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

Landmarks and culture center on the Imam Reza Shrine complex, which includes the Goharshad Mosque and surrounding religious and commercial facilities. Mashhad hosts religious and cultural events throughout the year and remains an important center for Persian language, literature, and scholarship in the region.