KERMAN
Geographical Location
Kerman is the largest province in Iran, with the metropolis of Kerman as its capital. Located in southeastern Iran, Kerman had a population of 3,164,718 people according to the 2016 Iranian census. Covering more than 11% of Iran’s total area, with approximately 183,285 square kilometers, Kerman is the most extensive province in Iran. Geographically, the province is situated between latitudes 25° 55′ and 32° North and longitudes 53° 26′ and 59° 29′ East of the Greenwich Meridian.
In terms of size, it is the largest province in the country. It is bordered by Yazd and South Khorasan provinces to the north, Hormozgan province to the south, Sistan and Baluchestan province to the east, and Fars province to the west. The province comprises 17 counties, 46 districts, 143 rural districts, and 59 cities.
Due to its natural location and climatic conditions, various species of wild and domestic animals inhabit the mountainous and lowland areas of Kerman. For this reason, some areas within the province are under the protection of the Environmental Protection Organization and have been declared off-limits for hunting. Among the protected areas of the province that have noteworthy features, one can mention the “Khabr” and “Orzuiyeh” in Baft regions. In these areas, birds such as partridge, black-breasted lark, various types of hawks, falcons, and pigeons reside. In the cold and warm regions of the province, animals such as leopards, cheetahs, wolves, foxes, black bears, jackals, hyenas, rabbits, various types of snakes, ibex, goats, sheep, and rams live, and in the plains, there are onagers.
Natural Environment
Kerman Province has vegetation characteristic of desert regions. Significant forests are absent in this area, and the plant life is limited to certain desert and arid species. The vegetation of Kerman Province is comprised of trees such as the Arzhan and Tamarisk as well as various plants with medicinal and industrial applications. Some plants like Borage and Tragacanth grow in the northern mountains of Kerman Province.
Economic Situation
Kerman province, due to its vast mineral potential, offers significant opportunities for the establishment of industries dependent on mineral products. Some of these mines rank among the richest in the entire country. Currently, there are over 150 identified mines in the province. Understanding the province’s mineral resources for their efficient and effective utilization, as well as the creation and development of related small and large industries, can play a crucial role in industrial and developmental planning, as well as improving the province’s economic conditions.
Geologically and in terms of mineral reserves, this region holds a special position. The majority of geological formations from various geological periods can be found here. As a result, a significant portion of the province’s mines date back to ancient times, with metal mines such as iron, copper, lead, and zinc having been exploited for thousands of years.
The province’s most prominent mines include the Sarcheshmeh copper mine with a reserve of one billion tons, the Miduk Shahrbabak copper mine with a reserve of 80 million tons, the Chahar Gonbad mine with a reserve of 45 million tons, and approximately 30 other deposits with exploration value. Additionally, there are eight coal mines with a reserve of 200 million tons, ten lead and zinc mines, the Gol Gohar iron ore mine in Sirjan with a reserve of over one billion tons, and the Jalalabad Zarand mine with a reserve of 150 million tons of chromite. Furthermore, the Bafq, Esfandagheh, and Faryab regions of Jiroft have chromite reserves of approximately one million tons. Non-metallic reserves include sulfate and soda in Rayen, barite in Rafsanjan, dolomite in Sirjan, and silica in Shahrbabak and Rafsanjan.
Moreover, the province’s ornamental stone mines, due to their abundant reserves, diversity, and high quality, hold a special and noteworthy position. A brilliant history of trade, along with the existence of silk, cotton, and wool weaving factories in the early centuries and the province’s location on the trade route to India, necessitated the creation of suitable places for the supply of domestic and imported goods.
Another significant economic resource of the province is pistachio production, with the majority of Iran’s pistachio exports originating from this region.
Historical, Cultural, and Tourist Attractions
Forts:
Bam Citadel, Dokhtar Castle – Kerman
Museums:
The Herandi Garden and Museum complex – Kerman, Coin Museum – Kerman, Shah Nematollah Vali Museum – Mahan, The Museum of Contemporary Industrial Arts – Kerman, Jabalieh Museum – Kerman
Bathhouses:
Ganj Ali Khan Bathhouse – Kerman, Vakil Traditional Bathhouse or Tea House – Kerman, Ibrahim Khan Bathhouse – Kerman, Bagh Shazdeh Bathhouse – Mahan, Bahadour Lalehzar Bathhouse – Bardsir
Mausoleums:
Shah Nematullah Vali Mausoleum – Mahan, Khoja Atabak Tomb – Kerman, Pir-e Barhaq Shrine (Jarsouz) – Bardsir, Mir Haidar Tomb (Gour Khan) – Jiroft, Akhoond Tomb – Kerman, Prince Hussein Jupar Tomb – Jupar, Amir Haidar Tomb – Jiroft, Shah Firouz Tomb – Sirjan, Mir Zobair Tomb – Sirjan, Pir Baba Mosafer Tomb – Shahdad, Moshtaqiye Mausoleum – Kerman, Imamzadeh Ismail – Shahr Babak.
Caravanserais:
Ganjali Khan Caravanserai – Kerman, Ghotbabad Caravanserai – Rafsanjan, Kabutar Khan Caravanserai – Rafsanjan, Chahar Souq Caravanserai – Kerman, Vakil Caravanserai – Kerman, Mirza Ali Naghi – Kerman, Hindu – Kerman, Mirza Hassan Caravanserai – Kerman
Water Cisterns:
Water Cistern of Shah Nematullah Vali’s Shrine – Mahan, Ali Mardan Khan Water Cistern – Kerman, Ganj Ali Khan Complex Water Cistern – Kerman
Houses:
Mir Hosseini Governor’s House, Bahador Al Molk House – Bardsir
The Bazaars:
The Arg Square Bazaar – Kerman, The Main Bazaar of Kerman, The Arg Bazaar – Kerman, The Ganj Ali Khan Bazaar – Kerman, The Ekhtiari Bazzar – Kerman, Sardar Bazaar – Kerman, Mozaffari Bazaar, Attari Bazaar – Kerman, Qadamgah Bazaar (Raji Kermani) – Kerman, Qaleh Bazaar (Mahmoud) – Kerman, Qaleh Square Bazaar – Kerman, Kolah Mali Bazaar – Kerman, Goldsmiths Bazaar (Qaisarieh Ibrahim Khan) – Kerman, Shoemakers Bazaar – Kerman, Haj Agha Ali Bazaar (Rafsanjani) – Kerman, Aziz Bazaar – Kerman, Timcheh (Caravan Serai) of Potters – Kerman
Mosques:
Jameh Mosque – Kerman, Malek (Imam) Mosque – Kerman, Pamenar Mosque – Kerman, Jameh Mosque of Muzaffarid – Kerman, Vakil Mosque – Kerman, Vakil Mosque – Bam, Seyyed Mosque – Sirjan, The Seljuk Mosque – Khabis, Sangeran Castle Mosque – Sirjan, Sunni Mosque – Bam, Forty-Column Mosque – Kerman, Khwaja Khizr Mosque – Kerman
Schools:
Ganj Ali Khan School – Kerman, Shafieyeh School – Kerman, Ibrahim Khan School – Kerman, Hayati School – Kerman
Ancient Hills:
Konar Sandal Hill – Jiroft, Yahya Hill – Baft
Lakes:
Lut Depression, Lake Jazmourian
Mountains:
Mount Hezar – Rayn, Mount Shah (Lalehzar) – Baft, Mount Polvar – Shahdad, Jupar Mountain – Jupar, Bisookhteh Mountain – Shahr Babak, Bid Shirin Mountain – Sirjan, Bidouyeh Mountain – Shahdad, Pourkan Mountain – Sahr Babak, Bagh Bala Mountain – Kerman, Qadamgah Mountain – Bam, Sarmashk Mountain – Jiroft
Springs:
Hoseinabad Spring – Rayn, Qaleh-e Askar Spring – Kerman, Qasem Abad Mineral Spring – Rafsanjan, Tah Khatoon Mineral Spring – Kerman, Gherghereh (Bab Torsh) Mineral Spring – Rayn, Abaregh Mineral Spring – Abareq
Forests:
Pasib Region – Kerman, Zangiabad Lut – Bam, Bidouiyeh Protected Area – Bardsir, Bolourd Plains – Sirjan, Jazmourian Wetland
Caves:
Torang Limestone Cave, Mirza Cave
Gardens:
Shazdeh Garden (Mahan – 1298 AH), Harandi Garden Museum – Kerman, Fath Abad Garden – Kerman, Beirom Abad Garden – Kerman, Bimand Sirjan Garden, Bagh-e Sangi Belord Sirjan, Nasiriyeh Garden – Kerman
Ceremonies and Rituals:
Sadeh Festival, Ninth of Muharram’s Night
Handicrafts:
Metalwork (Mesgari), Carpet Weaving (Qalibafi), Shawl Weaving (Shal Bafi), Wide Cloth Embroidery (Urid Doozi), Mat Weaving (Hisir Bafi), Kilim Weaving (Gilim Bafi), Termeh Weaving (Termeh Bafi), Penwork (Qalam-Zani)
