Shiraz is the fifth largest city of Iran and the capital of Fars Province.

It has been a regional trade center for over a thousand years, and is regarded as one of the oldest cities of ancient Persia.
The earliest reference to the city, as Tiraziš, is on Elamite clay tablets dated to 2000 BC.
It was the capital of Persia during the Zand dynasty from 1750 until 1781, as well as briefly during the Saffavid period.

Shiraz is known as the city of poets, literature, wine and gardens.
Two of Iran's most famous poets, Hafez and Saadi, were from Shiraz.
The oldest sample of wine in the world, dating to approximately 7,000 years ago, was discovered on clay jars recovered outside of Shiraz.