Khorasan Razavi

Khorasan Razavi Province is located in the northeast of the country, bordering Turkmenistan on the north and Afghanistan on the east. The important heights of this province include Mount Kappeh Dāgh, Mount Ālā Dāgh and Mount Bīnālūd. 
Other important cities of the province include Ghūchān, Dargaz, Kalāt, Chenārān, Neyshābūr, Sabzevār, Sarakhs, Farīmān, Torbat-e Heydarieh, Kāshmar, Khalīl Ābād, Torbat-e Jām, Tāybād, Khāf, Rashtkhār, Gonābād, Ferdos, Bardeskān, Meh and Lāt. 
This province plays an important role in the production of farming yield. Saffron is the most prominent one followed by cereal and various flowers. Husbandry is a common activity as there are rich lawns in the mountains. The precious mines of Turquoise of Neyshābūr are located in the northwest of Neyshābūr at the foothills of Bīnālūd Mountains. In many workshops of Neyshābūr, turquoise is cut into different forms and is used for making rings, necklaces and different kinds of ornaments. The province is active in food, clothing, textile, leather, chemical, oil, plastic and automobile production industries. The souvenirs of this province include saffron, perfume, barberry, candy, turquoise or opal rings, carved stones, silk clothing, etc.
During the Islamic period, many movements arose against the Arab rulers from this area. It has always been one of the key regions of Iran during the rule of different monarchies.
Immigration of the eighth Shiite Imam Ali Ibn Mūsā al-Rezā in the 8th century CE increased the importance of this area and after his martyrdom, Khorāsān achieved a special religious reputation. This land also witnessed attacks of Mongol invaders and was in ruins for many years.
The ethnic mixture of the province consists of Persian, Kurdish, Āzarī and Turkmen people. The local music and traditional dances of Torbat-e Jām is a notable example of Iranian folk culture.