Ghayen

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Qayenat
other_name = Qayen
native_name = قاین
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motto = Qayen is the capital of red gold (saffron)


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mapsize = 190px
map_caption = Location of Ghayen in Iran


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = IRN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = South Khorasan
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Qaen
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population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes = [2006 National Census [http://www.sci.org.ir/portal/faces/public/census85/census85.natayej/census85.informationfile] ]
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population_total = 32,474
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timezone = Iran Standard Time
utc_offset = +3:30
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latd = 33 | latm = 44 | lats = 01 | latNS = N
longd = 59 | longm = 11 | longs = 25 | longEW = E
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Qaen ( _fa. قائن, also transliterated in English as Qayen or Ghaen) is a city in the South Khorasan Province of Iran. Qaen is also called the City of SaffronFact|date=August 2008. Saffron from Qaen is prized for its unique aroma and strong colourFact|date=August 2008.

Qaen is a place of great antiquity and complex history. The present city, which lies in a broad valley, was founded in the 15th century on the site of an ancient city. Later, the Uzbeks (a Turkic people) took possession of the city and held it until Shah Abbas I (1588-1629) expelled them. In the 18th century, Qaen fell under the control of the Afghans.A mud wall surrounds the modern town. More affluent residential areas lie outside the wall. The city is a trading center, but it also has industries that produce felt and carpets. The surrounding area consists of hill ranges of 9,000 feet (2,750 m) running northwest-southeast and sinking to the Sistan depression in the south. The area is the main source of saffron in IranFact|date=August 2008, but it also produces grain, vegetables, and wood.

There are several ancient places around the town, such as the Tomb of Bozorgmehr Qaini, 5 km to the south.

At least 2,400 people in Ghayen and the surrounding region were killed in the Ardakul earthquake on May 10, 1997.

ee also

* South Khorasan Province
* Ghayen County

References