Yazd
Yazd (Persian: یزد [jæzd] ⓘ), formerly also known as Yezd, is the capital of Yazd province, Iran. The city is 270 km (170 mi) southeast of Isfahan. At the 2016 census, its population was 529,673. Since 2017, the historical city of Yazd is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Yazd
یزد Kath, Isatis | |
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City | |
Top to bottom, left to right: Amir Chakhmaq Complex, Zoroastrian Fire Temple, Dowlatabad Garden, Jame Mosque, Markar Clock Tower, Moshir Caravansary, Tomb of Sayyed Rukn ad-Din | |
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Seal | |
Yazd | |
| Coordinates: 31°52′56″N 54°20′23″E | |
| Country | Iran |
| Province | Yazd |
| County | Yazd |
| District | Central |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Abolghasem Mohiodini Anari |
| • City Council Chairman | Gholam Hossein Dashti |
| Elevation | 1,216 m (3,990 ft) |
| Population (2016) | |
| • Total | 529,673 |
| Demonym | Yazdi (en) |
| Time zone | UTC+3:30 (IRST) |
| Area code | 035 |
| Climate | BWh |
| Website | yazd |
| Official name | Historic City of Yazd |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iii, v |
| Designated | 2017 (41st session) |
| Reference no. | 1544 |
| Region | Asia and the Pacific |
Because of generations of adaptations to its desert surroundings, Yazd has a unique Persian architecture. It is nicknamed the "City of Windcatchers" (شهر بادگیرها Shahr-e Badgirha) from its many examples. It is also very well known for its Zoroastrian fire temples, ab anbars (cisterns), qanats (underground channels), yakhchals (coolers), Persian handicrafts, handwoven cloth (Persian termeh), silk weaving, Persian cotton candy, and its time-honored confectioneries. Yazd is also known as City of Bicycles, because of its old history of bike riders, and the highest number of bicycles per capita in Iran. It is reported that bicycle culture in Iran originated in Yazd as a result of contact with European visitors and tourists in the last century.