Capital of
Khuzestan province, southwest Iran; population (2006) 985,600. Situated on the River Karun, the city is an important administrative and supply centre for the southwestern Iranian oilfields, and is connected by rail to Tehran and the Gulf. There are also textile and petrochemical industries. Ahvaz was badly damaged during the IranIraq war (198088).
Ahvaz was formerly a junction point for several ancient routes, and is built on the ruins of a much older city.
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