Female sterilization procedures are permanent methods of birth control designed to prevent pregnancy. These procedures involve blocking, sealing, or cutting the fallopian tubes to prevent eggs from traveling from the ovaries to the uterus. By disrupting the pathway for the eggs, fertilization by sperm becomes impossible, effectively providing long-term contraception.
Yazd is one of the oldest cities in the world with a history of over 5,000 years which has remained intact throughout the centuries. With over a million in population, Yazd is located in central Iran. The historic part of the city is separated from the modern areas and has earthen architecture. This historic city has been inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage list since 2017. Yazd is known as the oldest earthen city in the world and the second most historic city in the world after Venice in Italy. The historic city is close to the Spice and Silk Roads. Water is supplied to the city through a qanat system developed to draw underground water. Also in the traditional districts of Yazd, you can find the qanat system, traditional houses, bazaars, hammams, mosques, synagogues, Zoroastrian temples, and the historic garden of Dolat-abad.
Made almost entirely out of heavy clay soil, the city has flourished for centuries in the hot and dry climate through its innovative architecture. Turning limited resources into opportunity, Yazd became a wealthy and powerful center for culture, religion, and trade, and its magnificent monuments still stand proud today. As the driest major city in Iran, it only gets an average of 49 millimeters of rain a year. In summer, temperatures regularly reach above 40°C, while in winter they can drop below freezing.
Due to a lack of wood, buildings were constructed with earth and featured arches, vaults, and domes. To create cool spaces, underground living areas were created as well as elements such as badgirs (wind catchers), which allow wind to enter a building through a vent and pass through the rooms to cool them down. Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest religions, played a crucial role in the city's early development and expansion and its unique religious observances like the Fire Temple and Tower of Silence still influence the city’s heritage and landscape.
Mixed into the city is also a prominent Persian Jewish community, which has been here since the late 1700s, but today Muslims make up the majority of the population and the Jame Mosque is the focal point of Yazd. The festivities of one religion are often celebrated by followers of other religions, such as the ancient Zoroastrian feast of Nowrooz.
Yazd History
The rise of Yazd came during the Late Antiquity, in the early 5th century, under the Sassanid King, Yazdegerd I. Trade as the key contributor to Iran’s economy, made Yazd a hub for merchants moving between Asia and India. The Muslim Arab vanquish of Iran made Yazd the city it is today. Thousands of Zoroastrians fled their homes, escaping religious persecution, and found refuge in Yazd, which provided them with safety.
Like all cities, its wealth and status ebbed and flowed but, in general, Yazd expanded and grew its industries over the centuries under different leadership. During the Muzaffarid era in the 14th century, Yazd gained unprecedented economic and political importance. In the Timurid era, leading into the 15th century, the Mobarakeh Palace complex was built - and would go on to be the city's administrative center for another 400 years. The Safavid era, between the 16th and 18th centuries, saw new districts built over the top of gardens, as Yazd became more important for regional trade and even made a name for itself in Europe, India, and China with silk and textiles. During the 18th century, production was going so well that new caravanserais and extra bazaar space were needed. Since then, Yazd has strengthened its economic position and, although parts of the city have modernized, it's retained much of its heritage features.
Conclusion
Yazd, the ancient city that rises from the heart of Iran's desert, is a marvel of human adaptation and architectural ingenuity. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it stands as a living testament to the harmonious coexistence of humans and the harsh desert environment for millennia. With its labyrinthine lanes, towering wind-catchers, and captivating earthen hues, Yazd encapsulates the spirit of Persian resilience and cultural richness. It is a city where history breathes through the walls of its homes and the alleys of its bazaars, inviting visitors to wander and wonder at the legacy of civilizations past. As the sun sets on its skyline, the city of Yazd remains not just a relic of history, but a continuous narrative of human perseverance and the timeless quest for community in the face of nature's vastness.
