Kermanshah province
Western Iranian province with Paleolithic sites and border trade.
Kermanshah province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran, bordering Iraq. Its capital is the city of Kermanshah, and it forms part of the area unofficially known as Iranian Kurdistan. The province has a rich Paleolithic heritage and contains the first known physical remains of Neanderthal man in Iran, discovered in Bisitun Cave.
- Capital
- Kermanshah
- Area
- Not specified in source
- Majority religion
- Shia Islam
- Minority religions
- Sunni and Yarsani
- Borders
- Iraq and Iranian provinces of Kurdistan, Hamadan, Lorestan, Ilam
- UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Bisotun inscription
Lore & Background
Kermanshah province has a long history, with Paleolithic remains found in caves such as Bisetun, Do-Ashkaft, Kobeh, Warwasi, and Mar Tarik. The earliest evidence for goat domestication was documented at Ganj Dareh. The province saw two glorious periods under the Achaemenid and Sassanid dynasties. The city of Kermanshah was possibly founded by the mythical ruler of the Pishdadian or built by Bahram IV of the Sassanid dynasty during the 4th century CE. It reached a peak under Hormizd IV and Khosrau I, then suffered during Arab invasions, recovered in the Safavid period, and was nearly destroyed by Ottoman invasion after the Afghan attack on Isfahan.
Reader's Guide
Kermanshah province is significant for its archaeological heritage, including the Behistun inscription, a UNESCO World Heritage Site crucial for deciphering Old Persian cuneiform, and the Taq-e Bostan rock reliefs depicting Sassanid kings.
Did You Know?
- The first known physical remains of Neanderthal man in Iran were discovered in Bisitun Cave in Kermanshah province.
- The Behistun inscription at Bisotun is a trilingual inscription in Old Persian, Elamite, and Akkadian, crucial for deciphering cuneiform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kermanshah province?
Kermanshah is one of Iran's 31 provinces, situated in the western part of the country and forming part of the region colloquially called Iranian Kurdistan. Its capital city is also named Kermanshah, and the province shares a direct border with Iraq.
Which provinces and countries border Kermanshah?
Kermanshah shares its international border with Iraq and is flanked domestically by the Iranian provinces of Kurdistan, Hamadan, Lorestan, and Ilam. This position makes it a key node for cross-border trade and movement in western Iran.
Why do fans and travelers consider Kermanshah province important?
Beyond its role as a western Iranian border province, Kermanshah offers a rare concentration of deep prehistoric archaeology alongside living cultural traditions of the Iranian Kurdish region. Its combination of Paleolithic sites, border-trade economy, and distinct religious diversity sets it apart within Iran's provincial landscape.
More in Provinces Of Iran 1-24
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