North Khorasan province
Province in northeast Iran, created from the 2004 division of Khorasan.
North Khorasan province (Persian: استان خراسان شمالی) is one of the 31 provinces of Iran, located in the northeast of the country. Its capital is the city of Bojnord. It was created after the division of Khorasan in 2004, when Khorasan—the largest province of Iran—was split into three provinces: Razavi Khorasan, North Khorasan, and South Khorasan.
- Capital
- Bojnord
- Country
- Iran
- Established
- 29 September 2004 (division of Khorasan)
- Major ethnic groups
- Khorasani Kurds, Persians, Khorasani Turks, Turkmen
- Major religion
- Shia Islam (majority), Sunni Islam (minority)
Lore & Background
North Khorasan province lies within the historical region of Greater Khorasan, which has witnessed the rise and fall of many dynasties. Ancient geographers of Iran divided Iran into eight segments, with Greater Khorasan being the largest. The Parthian empire was based near Merv in Khorasan for many years, and during Parthian times, Esfarayen—one of the province's cities—was an important village of Nishapur. During the Sasanian era, the province was governed by a Spahbod called 'Padgoosban' and four margraves.
Reader's Guide
North Khorasan province is significant as one of the three provinces created from the historic division of Khorasan in 2004, reflecting a major administrative reorganization of Iran's largest former province. Its territory is part of Greater Khorasan, a region central to Iranian history, having been a base for the Parthian empire and a focal point for Aryan settlement. The province is noted for its ethnic and linguistic diversity, including Khorasani Kurds, Persians, Khorasani Turks, and Turkmen, with a Shia Muslim majority and a Sunni Turkmen minority. Historically, the area saw waves of conquests by Arabs, Turks, Mongols, and others, and its older relics have been ravaged by earthquakes, leaving most historical sites from the Qajar era.
Did You Know?
- North Khorasan was created after the division of Khorasan, which was the largest province of Iran, on 29 September 2004.
- Most people in North Khorasan are Shia Muslims, with a Sunni minority who are generally Turkmen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is North Khorasan province?
North Khorasan is one of Iran's 31 provinces located in the northeastern part of the country, with Bojnord as its capital city. It came into being in 2004 when the formerly single, massive Khorasan province was divided into three smaller administrative units.
When was North Khorasan officially created and who approved it?
The Iranian parliament gave its approval on 18 May 2004, and the Council of Guardians followed with its own sign-off on 29 May 2004. The province's formal establishment date is recorded as 29 September 2004, marking the completion of the Khorasan split.
Why was the original Khorasan province split into three?
The old Khorasan had been the largest single province in Iran, making centralized governance unwieldy. Breaking it into Razavi Khorasan, North Khorasan, and South Khorasan in 2004 allowed each area to have its own dedicated provincial administration and capital.
More in Provinces Of Iran 1-24
Elsewhere in the Provinces Of Iran universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record