known as Avaz or Avaja to Achaemenians (6th century BC), this ancient city is now the center of the oil-rich Khuzestan province. It was a seat bishopric in 4 AD and after the conquest of Arabs (12th & 13th century AD) became a major trading center. It was severely attacked and turned into a center of resistance during the war with Iraq. These days, Ahwaz is only a convenient place to start touring places like Suss, Chogha Zanbil, Dezful, and Sustar.