Gonabad

File:تیرمهیtirMahiZibad.jpg]]The famous ancient Battle of the Twelve Combats (Davazdah Rokh) between the rival empires of Iran and Turan (Central Asia) took place at Zibad Castle in this city - as memorably related in the epic Shahnameh.

The construction of this city is attributed to the Achaemenid kings and during the Seljuk Empire and Khwarazmian dynasty periods (fifth to seventh centuries AH) it was Shahrabadi.{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title="گناباد" نگین گردشگری خراسان رضوی؛ از قنات تاریخی تا روستا‌های بوم‌گردی+فیلم|url=https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1396/06/15/1506198/%DA%AF%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C%D9%86-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%AE%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1%D8%B6%D9%88%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%82%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%AE%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A8%D9%88%D9%85-%DA%AF%D8%B1%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D9%85|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=8 March 2021|work=Tasnim News Agency}}

Gonabad has also been recorded in Arabic and Islamic sources as Janabd, Kanabd, and Yanabd.The Yasemi family is one of the oldest families living in Gonabad.

At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 34,563 in 9,789 households.{{cite report|title=Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006): Razavi Khorasan Province|language=fa|publisher=The Statistical Center of Iran|website=amar.org.ir|url=http://www.amar.org.ir/DesktopModules/FTPManager/upload/upload2360/newjkh/newjkh/09.xls|access-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920095433/http://www.amar.org.ir/DesktopModules/FTPManager/upload/upload2360/newjkh/newjkh/09.xls|format=Excel|archive-date=20 September 2011}} The following census in 2011 counted 36,367 people in 10,389 households.{{cite report|title=Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011): Razavi Khorasan Province|language=fa|publisher=The Statistical Center of Iran|website=irandataportal.syr.edu|via=Iran Data Portal, Syracuse University|url=https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/Razavi-Khorasan.xls|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120012029/https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/Razavi-Khorasan.xls|archive-date=20 January 2023|access-date=19 December 2022|format=Excel}} The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 40,773 people in 12,037 households.{{cite report|title=Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016): Razavi Khorasan Province|language=fa|publisher=The Statistical Center of Iran|website=amar.org.ir|url=https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_09.xlsx|access-date=19 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402213121/https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_09.xlsx|format=Excel|archive-date=2 April 2022}}

The city of Gonabad is in the south of Khorasan Razavi province on the Brakuh plateau. The city is located on a flat plateau and is 24 km away from the Barakuh mountain range. The highest peak of Barakuh is called Tirmehi Mountain or Zibad Mountain. The city of Gonabad is located in an arid and semi-desert climate on the edge of the desert. This city has been facing a serious drought crisis in recent years. The city of Gonabad is located on the plain and plateau of Siah Kooh or Ghahestan mountain range. Ghahestan mountain range in Gonabad region is more known as Brakuh, Siah Kooh and Zibad mountain.

{{Weather box

| width = auto

| metric first = yes

| single line = yes

| trace =

| location = Gonabad (1987-2010 normals), elevation: {{Convert|1056.0|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| temperature colour =

| Jan record high C =

| Feb record high C =

| Mar record high C =

| Apr record high C =

| May record high C =

| Jun record high C =

| Jul record high C =

| Aug record high C =

| Sep record high C =

| Oct record high C =

| Nov record high C =

| Dec record high C =

| year record high C =

| Jan high C =8.4

| Feb high C =12.1

| Mar high C =18.0

| Apr high C =25.0

| May high C =30.8

| Jun high C =35.3

| Jul high C =36.3

| Aug high C =35.0

| Sep high C =31.5

| Oct high C =25.5

| Nov high C =18.0

| Dec high C =11.1

| year high C =

| Jan mean C =3.6

| Feb mean C =6.7

| Mar mean C =12.0

| Apr mean C =18.4

| May mean C =23.9

| Jun mean C =28.1

| Jul mean C =29.3

| Aug mean C =27.5

| Sep mean C =23.6

| Oct mean C =17.9

| Nov mean C =11.6

| Dec mean C =6.0

| year mean C =

| Jan low C =-0.8

| Feb low C =0.9

| Mar low C =5.5

| Apr low C =11.6

| May low C =16.4

| Jun low C =20.9

| Jul low C =22.1

| Aug low C =20.0

| Sep low C =15.7

| Oct low C =10.1

| Nov low C =5.0

| Dec low C =1.1

| year low C =

| Jan record low C =

| Feb record low C =

| Mar record low C =

| Apr record low C =

| May record low C =

| Jun record low C =

| Jul record low C =

| Aug record low C =

| Sep record low C =

| Oct record low C =

| Nov record low C =

| Dec record low C =

| year record low C =

| Jan dew point C =-3.0

| Feb dew point C =-2.0

| Mar dew point C =0.2

| Apr dew point C =2.8

| May dew point C =4.1

| Jun dew point C =5.0

| Jul dew point C =5.9

| Aug dew point C =4.1

| Sep dew point C =1.5

| Oct dew point C =-0.2

| Nov dew point C =-1.4

| Dec dew point C =-1.4

| humidity colour =

| time day =

| daily =

| Jan humidity =64

| Feb humidity =57

| Mar humidity =48

| Apr humidity =38

| May humidity =28

| Jun humidity =22

| Jul humidity =22

| Aug humidity =21

| Sep humidity =23

| Oct humidity =30

| Nov humidity =42

| Dec humidity =61

| year humidity =

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm =23.2

| Feb precipitation mm =25.2

| Mar precipitation mm =31.0

| Apr precipitation mm =23.1

| May precipitation mm =5.4

| Jun precipitation mm =0.3

| Jul precipitation mm =0.4

| Aug precipitation mm =0.0

| Sep precipitation mm =0.1

| Oct precipitation mm =2.1

| Nov precipitation mm =7.9

| Dec precipitation mm =18.7

| year precipitation mm =

| Jan sun =180.7

| Feb sun =188.3

| Mar sun =216.4

| Apr sun =242.5

| May sun =316.0

| Jun sun =349.5

| Jul sun =371.9

| Aug sun =358.7

| Sep sun =317.6

| Oct sun =282.1

| Nov sun =226.7

| Dec sun =190.0

| year sun =

| source = Iran Meteorological Organization (mean min temperatures 1987-2005{{Cite web |title=Average of mean daily temperature in C. STATION: Gonabad (40778) |url=http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/khr/GONABAD/5.asp |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128032827/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/khr/GONABAD/5.asp |archive-date=28 January 2015 |access-date=22 March 2025 |website=Chaharmahalmet |publisher=IRIMO |type=asp}}

• {{Cite web |title=Average of minimum temperature in C. STATION: Gonabad (40778) |url=http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/khr/GONABAD/2.asp |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517081021/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/khr/GONABAD/2.asp |archive-date=17 May 2013 |access-date=22 March 2025 |website=Chaharmahalmet |publisher=IRIMO |type=asp}}
• {{Cite web |title=Average of maximum temperature in C. STATION: Gonabad (40778) |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517081021/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/khr/GONABAD/3.asp |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907083237/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/khr/GONABAD/3.asp |archive-date=7 September 2014 |access-date=22 March 2025 |website=Chaharmahalmet |publisher=IRIMO |type=asp}}), (dew point{{Cite web |title=Average of dew point temperature in C. STATION: Gonabad (40778) |url=http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/khr/GONABAD/10.asp |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123002852/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/khr/GONABAD/10.asp |archive-date=23 January 2015 |access-date=22 March 2025 |website=Chaharmahalmet |publisher=IRIMO |type=asp}}), (humidity 1987-2005{{Cite web |title=Average of Relative humidity in percent STATION: GONABAD (40778) |url=http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/khr/GONABAD/14.asp |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128032943/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/khr/GONABAD/14.asp |archive-date=28 January 2015 |access-date=22 March 2025 |website=Chaharmahalmet |publisher=IRIMO |type=asp}}), (precipitation{{Cite web |title=Monthly total of precipitation in mm. STATION: GONABAD (40778) |url=http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/khr/GONABAD/25.asp |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318002427/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/khr/GONABAD/25.asp |archive-date=18 March 2016 |access-date=22 March 2025 |website=Chaharmahalmet |publisher=IRIMO |type=asp}}), (sunshine{{Cite web |title=Monthly total of sunshine hours. STATION: GONABAD (40778) |url=http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/khr/GONABAD/42.asp |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819043050/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/khr/GONABAD/42.asp |archive-date=19 August 2014 |access-date=22 March 2025 |website=Chaharmahalmet |publisher=IRIMO |type=asp}})

}}

{{Main|Forud Castle}}

Forud Castle is a historical castle located in Gonabad County in Razavi Khorasan Province, The longevity of this fortress dates back to the Parthian Empire.

File:Darb Soufeh.zibad a sassanid castle.JPG

{{Main|Zibad Castle}}

Zibad Castle is one of the four historical monuments of Zibad, Iran. In 2001, the castle was registered as a national property in Iran, which is related to the history of pre-Islamic Iran, and is located in Gonabad city, Kakhk district, in the residential area of Zibad. It has been registered as national heritage. In addition to the castle of Zibad, there are also the royal castle of Zibad nationally registered under the name of Shahab Castle in 2002.

{{Main|Jameh Mosque of Gonabad}}

The Jameh Mosque of Gonabad is related to Khwarazmian dynasty and is located in Gonabad.{{cite web|title=Jameh Mosque – Gonabad|url=https://travital.com/attraction/jameh-mosque-gonabad/|access-date=31 July 2019|work=travital.com}}{{cite web|title=Jameh Mosque, Gonabad|url=https://en.tripyar.com/iran/razavi-khorasan/gonabad/attractions/ancient-and-historical/historical/jameh-mosque-gonabad.html|access-date=31 July 2019|work=en.tripyar.com|archive-date=31 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731121308/https://en.tripyar.com/iran/razavi-khorasan/gonabad/attractions/ancient-and-historical/historical/jameh-mosque-gonabad.html|url-status=dead}}

{{Main|Qanats of Ghasabeh}}

The Qanats of Ghasabeh, also called Kariz Kai Khosrow, is one of the world's oldest and largest networks of qanats (underground aqueducts). Built between 700 and 500 BCE by the Achaemenid Empire in what is now Gonabad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, the complex contains 427 water wells with a total length of {{convert|33,113|m|mi}}.[https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5207/ Qanats of Gonabad-World Heritage] The site was first added to UNESCO's list of tentative World Heritage Sites in 2007, then officially inscribed in 2016, collectively with several other qanats, as "The Persian Qanat".[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1506 The Persian Qanat]

Gonabad can be considered the most student city in Khorasan Razavi province. According to unofficial statistics, about 30% of the city's population (equivalent to about 12,000 people) are indigenous and non-indigenous students. The most important higher education centers in Gonabad:

• Gonabad University of Medical Sciences{{Cite web |title=Gonabad University of Medical Sciences {{!}} Ranking & Review |url=https://www.4icu.org/reviews/10342.htm |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=www.4icu.org}}
• Islamic Azad University, Gonabad Branch{{Cite web |title=Islamic Azad University, Gonabad in Iran |url=https://www.alluniversity.info/iran/islamic-azad-university-gonabad/ |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=www.alluniversity.info}}{{Cite web |date=2021-08-09 |title=Islamic Azad University, Gonabad Ranking |url=https://topuniversitieslist.com/islamic-azad-university-gonabad/ |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=Top Universities List - Highest Ranking Universities 2021 |language=en-US}}
• University of Gonabad{{Cite web |title=University of Gonabad {{!}} Ranking & Review |url=https://www.4icu.org/reviews/15747.htm |access-date=2022-05-10 |website=www.4icu.org}}

File:Ghanat970.jpg|Qanats of Gonabad

File:قنات قصبه.jpg|Qanats of Gonabad

File:KarizZibad.jpg|Qanats of Gonabad

File:گناباد 4.jpg|Anthropological Museum

File:گناباد 5.jpg|Anthropological Museum

File:گناباد 6.jpg|Anthropological Museum

File:گناباد 7.jpg|Anthropological Museum

File:گناباد.jpg|Anthropological Museum

File:گناباد 9.jpg|Anthropological Museum

File:گناباد 11.jpg|Anthropological Museum

File:گناباد 12.jpg|Anthropological Museum

File:گناباد 16.jpg|Anthropological Museum

File:قسمتی دیگر از راه قلعه فرود (rotated, cropped).jpg|Forud Castle

File:گردشگران در قلعه فرود.jpg|Forud Castle

File:Castle of zibad from the top of shahneshin castle of the last shelter of yazdgerd3.JPG|Zibad Castle

File:Zibad Castle 1.jpg|Zibad Castle

File:مسجد جامع قصبه شهر، گناباد.jpg|Jameh Mosque of Gonabad

File:در ورودی مسجد جامع قصبه شهر گناباد.jpg|Jameh Mosque of Gonabad

{{Portal-inline|Iran}}

{{clear}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Razavi Khorasan Province|state=collapsed}}

{{Gonabad County|state=collapsed}}

Category:Cities in Razavi Khorasan province

Category:Populated places in Gonabad County

Category:Achaemenid cities

Category:Parthian cities

Category:Sasanian cities