Birjand is the east Iranian provincial capital of South Khorasan and the centre of the county Birjand resp. Quhestan, known for its saffron, barberry, rug and handmade carpet exports. The city of Birjand has a population of 180,000 people. Being close to the Afghanistan border, Birjand is located on the “Silk Road” of opium smuggled from Afghanistan on the way to Europe (also dubbed the “opium crescent”). read more…