KERMAN
PROVINCE
Bam
Fortress (2016)
Kerman
Province and its counties
Country
: Iran
Region : Region 5
Capital : Kerman
Counties : 23
Kerman
Province (Persian: Ostan-e Kerman) is the largest province of the
31 provinces of Iran. Kerman is in the southeast of Iran with its
administrative center in the city of Kerman. In 2014 it was placed
in Region 5. Mentioned in ancient times as the Achamenid satrapy
of Carmania, it is the largest province of Iran with an area of
183,285 km2 (70,767 sq mi), that encompasses nearly 11 percent of
the land area of Iran. The population of the province is about 3
million (9th in the country).
History
and culture :
Bronze
flag, Shahdad Kerman, Iran, 3rd millennium BC
Kerman province is considered a paradise for palaeontologists because
of an abundance of vertebrate fossils from different geological
eras. Fossils include Placodermi, jawed and jawless armoured fish
dating back to the Devonian period (395 to 365 million years ago),
dinosaurs (195 to 66 million years ago) and mammals from the Tertiary
period (ranging from two to seventy million years ago).
The
history of human settlements in the territory of Kerman dates back
to the 4th millennium BC. This area is considered as one of the
ancient regions of Iran and valuable historical vestiges have been
discovered here. Jiroft is an example, where a previously unknown
settlement dating back to around 2500 BC has been established by
archeologists. Kerman has an abundance of historical sites and landmarks,
283 in total, according to Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization.
Ancient abandoned citadels such as Arg-e Bam and Rayen Castle have
been preserved in the desert for 2,000 years.
Historical
documents refer to Kerman as "Karmania", "Kermania",
"Germania", "Carmonia", and "ermanya",
which means bravery and combat. Geographers have recorded Kerman's
ancient name as "Go'asheer" (Bardesheer).
Geography
:
The altitudes and heights of the province are the continuation of
the central mountain ranges of Iran. They extend from the volcanic
folds beginning in Azarbaijan and, by branching out in the central
plateau of Iran, terminate in Baluchestan. These mountain ranges
have brought about vast plains in the province. The Bashagard and
Kuhbonan Mountains are the highest in this region and include peaks
such as Toghrol, Aljerd, Palvar, Sirach, Abareq and Tahrood. Other
ranges that stretch out from Yazd to Kerman and Challeh-ye-Jazmoorian
include high peaks like Hazaran 4501 meters above sea level, Kuh-e
Shah 4402 meters, Joupar, Bahr Aseman and Khabr mountain in Khabr
National Park and others.
Most
of the province is largely steppe or sandy desert, although there
are some oases where dates, oranges (said to be the best in Iran),
and pistachios are cultivated. In antiquity "Carmanian"
wine was famed for its quality [Strabo XV.2.14 (cap. 726)]. The
province is dependent on qanats (underground water channels) for
its irrigation. In the central parts, Mount Hezar is the highest
peak, 4501 meters above sea level.
Kerman
is prone to natural disasters. A recent flood for example, unearthed
the archeological ancient city of Jiroft, in the south of Kerman
province. Arg-é Bam on the other hand, the world's largest
adobe structure, was destroyed in an earthquake in December 2003.
On February 22, 2005, a major earthquake killed hundreds of residents
in the town of Zarand and several nearby villages in north Kerman.
Counties
:
The counties of Kerman province are Baft County, Bardsir County,
Bam County, Jiroft County, Rafsanjan County, Zarand County, Sirjan
County, Shahr-e-Babak County, Kerman County, Kahnuj County, Qaleh
Ganj County, Manujan County, Rudbar-e Jonubi County, Anbarabad County,
Rabor County, Rigan County, Arzuiyeh County, Fahraj County, Faryab
County and Ravar County.
Climate
:
The climate in the province varies across regions. The north, northwest,
and central areas experience a dry and moderate climate, whereas
in the south and southeast, the weather is warm and relatively humid.
The city of Kerman and the surrounding regions have a semi-moderate
and dry climate, with a maximum and minimum temperature of 39.6
°C, and -7 °C, respectively. The average temperature during
the months of March–June has been recorded as 20°-25 °C.
These months are the most suitable for traveling and tourism.
Demography
:
Ganjali
Khan Complex in Kerman
Most of the population of Kerman are Persians, and Shi'a Muslims.
There is a minority of Baloch population living in the south of
Kerman Province and are predominantly Sunni. Kerman also has a small
but culturally significant Zoroastrian minority.
In
2011 the population of the province was 2,938,988 (1,482,339 male;
1,456,649 female) in 786,400 households. 1,684,982 lived in urban
areas, 1,242,344 in rural vicinities and 6,082 accounted as non-residents.
In
1996, 52.9% of Kerman's population lived in urban areas, and 46%
in rural vicinities, the remaining 1.1% accounted as non-residents.
In 2006 urban population made 58.5%, in 2011 this rate decreased
by one percent. The city of Kerman (2011 population: 621,374) embraces
about 80% of the urban population, being the most developed and
largest city of the province.
Shazdeh Garden, Mahan, Kerman
Attractions :
Natural attractions include thermal and mineral springs, recreational
areas, verdant spaces, altitudes and peaks, lakes, pools, protected
areas and the special desert features for adventure seekers.
Economy
:
As of 1920, the province was known for the quality of its caraway.
Today, Kerman is where a large portion of Iran's auto industry is
based. Sirjan, a specially designated economic zone, is considered
a passageway for transfer of imported commercial goods from the
south (through the Persian Gulf). Arg e Jadid, is another specially
designated economic zone of Iran, located in Kerman province. Furthermore,
Kerman Province is famous for its abundance of pistachio fields
both in the city itself and surrounding ones such as Rafsanjan,
Ravar and Nooq.
Malek Mosque, Kerman, Iran
Education :
Colleges and universities :
Kerman province contains the following universities :
•
Jiroft University
• Kerman
University of Medical Sciences
• Rafsanjan
University of Medical Sciences
• Shahid
Bahonar University of Kerman
• Sirjan
University of Technology
• ValiAsr
University of Rafsanjan
Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Kerman_Province