The Northern part of Fars Province
The road to northern Fars is very picturesque. It goes through a succession of highlands crossed by a spectacular gorge, from whence it makes a long ascent through an, especially fine mountain landscape. Then it takes a straight run over a high plateau through a new succession of highlands. The modern road passes by Pasargadae go to Abadeh and on to Izadkhast, virtually the last important settlement in the Fars province. The old road formerly passed through Eqlid, where some sites of minor historical importance have survived. On the road to Eqlid, one can conveniently visit Sepidan, which has what may be the most extraordinary natural scenery in Fars.
The southern part of Fars province
Leaving Shiraz for the south, the traveler sets out on an exciting, ever-changing trek. The road passes through a vast valley, which gradually leads to higher elevations, and after leaving behind a mountain range, enters the great, torrid plain of Larestan. This is bordered on the south by a row of high, isolated cliffs, which separate it from the coast of the Persian Gulf. The road between Shiraz and Lar, which leads farther on to Bandar Abbas, is the most modern (comparatively) of the historical roads of Fars.
Western Part of Fars province
The road leading to the western regions of Fars and farther on, to Bushehr, goes west from Shiraz, and after crossing a small ridge, enters the vast plain of Dasht-e Arjan (“the Plain of the Millet"). This plain is surrounded by high mountains and contains pastures much frequented by nomads. Formerly, the road passed through the scenic, but very dangerous Kotal-e Pirezan (“the Pass of the Old Woman").
A SUMMARY OF WHAT SOME EUROPEANS HAVE SIAD ABOUT SHIRAZ.
Sir Thomas Herbert:
Herbert’s description of Shiraz in the year 1630 is unquestionably one of the finest descriptions that foreign travelers have given of this city. The famous Shirazi poet, Hafez, expressed his view of Shiraz in the well-known lines,
خوشا شیراز و وضع بی مثالش خداوندا نگهدار از زوالش
“Blest be Shiraz and its unrivaled state!
God guard it against decline and evil fate!”
Shiraz during the Zand and Qajar
periods In 1765, Shiraz became the capital of Tran. Foremost among the reasons for this choice were the favorable climate of the city, the abundance of its water resources, its strategic position on the road leading to the Persian Gulf, and it's naturally protected and fortified location. Both the length and relative stability of Karim Khan's reign encouraged the construction of noteworthy buildings, particularly in the city's royal quarters.