Geographic context

The Ilam region is located in the southwest of Iran. The capital is the city of Ilam and the other important inhabited centers are: Abdanan, Aivan, Dareh Shahr, Dehloran and Mahran. The major reliefs of the region are the Kabir Kuh and Dinar Kuh Mountains.

Climate

The geographical context of the Ilam region determines the climate that, in general, is considered among the hottest areas of the country, but, due to the presence of the Kabir Kuh and Dinar Kuh Mountains, the difference in temperature and rain between the northern part and the south-western one is enormous. So, from the climatic point of view, this region has a tripartite: the north and north-east mountain areas appear relatively cold with the long winter season, the flat areas to the west and south-west are warm, while the mid-range has a mild and temperate climate.

History and culture

Archaeological studies say that, around 4000 years before Christ, the Gutei population lived in this region. Later, it was the Cassites who, coming from the Caucasus, immigrated to this territory. The discovery of bronze artifacts in Lorestan, Ilam and Talash has favored the juxtaposition of the civilizations of these two ancient populations. The territories that today take the name of Ilam, according to many historical documents and archaeological finds, were a part of the dominions of the ancient Elam. In the Babylonian inscriptions the ancient region of Elam was called 'Alamtu' or 'Alam' which meant 'mountain' or 'country where the sun rises'. During the period of the Achaemenids, the inhabitants of the Zagros mountain range were an integral part of the Persian Empire. The presence of numerous archaeological finds from the Sassanid era in the regions of Ilam and Lorestan shows that the possession of these territories was of fundamental importance during the period in question.

Souvenirs and handicrafts

The region of Ilam is an area inhabited by nomadic peoples and their flower-embroidered kilims are famous throughout the country. Among the most renowned products of local craftsmanship can be indicated: soft wool carpets, silk, kilim embroidered with flowers, jajim, felt, faranji, qatre and wooden artifacts. The region of Ilam, like the other parts of Iran, presents sweets and local specialties to give: terebentina (rubber of the terebinth tree), the sweet of Bazhi-Barsaq, the sweet of Asgari, the sweet Kole Konji and the animal oil known as 'Kermanshahi oil'.

Local cuisine

The local dishes of this region are: rice and meat, lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, various types of meat, eggs and omelettes, rice and green beans, Halva, whey, Tarkhine, Mash Av, poultry and Shale. Targ, Kangar, Pichag, Bule Vale, Paqaze and Qarchag are names of other typical dishes of the region that are prepared in the spring by collecting mountain plants and drying them, in this way they can also be used in winter.