Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province

Chahar Mahaal and Bakhtiari Province استان چهارمحال و بختیاری
—  Province  —
Location of Chahar Mahaal and Bakhtiari within Iran
Coordinates: 32°19′39″N 50°51′17″E / 32.3275°N 50.8546°E / 32.3275; 50.8546Coordinates: 32°19′39″N 50°51′17″E / 32.3275°N 50.8546°E / 32.3275; 50.8546
Country	Iran
Capital	Shahrekord
Counties	7
Area
– Total	16,332 km2 (6,305.8 sq mi)
Population (2006)[1]
– Total	857,910
– Density	52.5/km2 (136.1/sq mi)
Time zone	IRST (UTC+03:30)
– Summer (DST)	IRST (UTC+04:30)
Main language(s)	Persian Bakhtiari Lurish Qashqai

Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province (Persian: استان چهارمحال و بختیاری, Ostān-e Chahār-Mahāl-o Bakhtiyārī ) is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. It lies in the southwestern part of the country. Its capital is Shahrekord.

It has an area of 16,332 square kilometers and a population of 842,000 (2005 estimate).

People and culture

The history of the province is tied to that of the Bakhtiari tribe. The Bakhtiari tribe can be divided into two sub-tribes, Haft Lang and Chahar Lang with various territorial affiliations and they are the main speakers of Lurish language. As the name of the province dictates with the combining grammatical feature of "-o-" which is Persian for "and"; the other group of peoples in this ancient province are the Chahar Mahali's. These peoples and the Lur's live side by side and share almost similar customs. Very slight differences exist between them but most are almost unnoticeable. However there is often quite a bit of intermixing of the peoples through marriage. The cities of Shahrekord, Broujen, Ben, Naafch and Saman fall in the Chahar Mahali area of the province and are generally not inhabited by Lurs. The Bakhtiari territories at times have also come under Isfahan and Khuzestan province.

The people of this province have a history of having a simple living and being a capable people who are determined and effective warriors and fighters whenever circumstances made it necessary. They have gained such a reputation as being excellent, if not the best, horsemen in Iran. The people of this province, while having the more common Pahlevani wrestling/combat style of the deep rooted traditional Zurkhane, which exists everywhere in all provinces, also have their own style of wrestling/unarmed combat as well (as do other provinces). The style is called Jangi (Jang means War and hence Jangi "war'ish" or "war like").

The province has various unique traditions and rituals relative to the 'tribal' lifestyles. Special forms of music, dance, and clothing are noteworthy.

Administrative divisions

Counties (Shahrestans)

Map	Shahrestan (≈County)	Bakhsh (≈District)	District Center
Shahrekord Saman Ben Laran Kiar Borujen Gandoman Boldaji Khanmirza Falard Lordegan Farsan Manj Miankuh Ardal Kuhrang Bazoft CHELGARD Khuzestan Lorestan Esfahan Esfahan Kohgilooyeh and Boyer-Ahmad SHAHREKORD ARDAL BORUJEN LORDEGAN FARSAN
	Ardal	Central	Ardal
		Miankooh	Sarkhun
	Boroojen	Central	Boroojen
		Boldaji	Boldaji
		Gandoman	Gandoman
	Farsan	Central	Farsan
	Koohrang	Central	Chelgerd
		Bazaft	Chaman-Goli
	Lordegan	Central	Lordegan
		Falard	Mal-e Khalifeh
		Khanmirza	Aluni
		Manj	Manj
	Shahr-e Kord	Central	Shahr-e Kord
		Ben	Ben
		Kiar	Shalamzar
		Laran	Soureshjan
		Saman	Saman

Cities and towns

• Shahrekord
• Shahrekian
• Hafshejan
• Borujen
• Lordegan
• Farsan
• Ardal
• Farrokhshahr
• Naafch
• Saman
• Juneghan
• Ben
• Gandoman
• Boldaji
• Faradonbeh

Economy

The province is mainly active in the agriculture sector. Most of the industrial sector is clustered around the center of the province.

The province has the potential to become a vibrant tourist attraction because of its natural resources.[2]

Colleges and universities

• Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch, (website)
• Shahrekord University
• Islamic Azad University of Borujen
• Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences

Provincial government links

• Official website of Chahar Mahaal and Bakhtiari Governorship
• Provincial Bureau for Budget, Planning, and Management (سازمان مدیریت و برنامه ریزی)
• Shahrekord Municipality (شهرداری شهرکرد)
• Provincial Bureau for Telecommunications (شرکت مخابرات)
• Provincial Bureau of Industries and Mines
• (Persian) Provincial Department of Transportation (سازمان حمل و نقل و پایانه‌ها)
• (Persian) Provincial Bureau of Economics and Finance Affairs (سازمان امور اقتصادی و دارائی)
• (Persian) Provincial Department of Education (سازمان آموزش و پرورش)
• Provincial Bureau of Taavon (اداره کل تعاون)
• Provincial Department of Utilities (سازمان آب وفاضلاب روستایی)
• Shahrekord Central Post Office (اداره کل پست)
• Provincial Department of Medical Insurance (بیمه خدمات درمانی)
• (Persian) Provincial Bureau of Agricultural Jihad (سازمان جهاد کشاورزی)
• (Persian) Provincial Welfare Organization (سازمان بهزیستی)
• (Persian) Provincial Department of Social Security (اداره کل تامین اجتماعی)
• (Persian) Provincial Meteorological Service (اداره کل هواشناسی)

Other links

• Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiyari Attractions

References

1. ^ [1] National Census 2006