Kerman province

An ancient *ice house*, called a yakhchal, built in Kerman, Iran, during the middle ages, for storing ice during summers.

Kermān is one of the 30 provinces of Iran. It is in the south-east of the country. Its center is Kerman. The province of Kerman is the second largest province in Iran, 180,836 km². The population of the province is about 2 million. The main townships of Kerman province are: Baft, Bardsir, Bam, Jiroft, Rafsanjan, Zarand, Sirjan, Shahr-e-Babak, Kerman, Mahan ,Rayen , Kahnuj, Ghale-Ganj,Manujan, Roodbar-e-Jonob,Anbar Abad,andRavar.

In the year 1996, 52.9% of Kerman's population lived in urban areas, and 46% in the rural vicinities, the remaining 1.1% accounted as non residents. The city of Kerman (population: 400,000) embraces about 80% of the urban population, being the most developed and largest city of the province.

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 of Kerman. The Bashagard and Kuh-e Banan 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 peaks like Medvar, Shahr-e-Babak, Kuh-e Panj, Chehel Tan, Lalezar, Hezarbahr, Aseman 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, 4465 meters above sea level.

The climate in the province varies in different 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 period for traveling and tourism.

History and culture

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 Devonian era or first geological era (395 to 365 million years ago), dinosaurs dating back to the Jurassic era (195 to 65 million years ago) and mammals from the Third Geological Era (ranging from two to seven 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 2500BC has just 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-é Bam and Rayen castle have been preserved in the desert for two thousand years.

Historical documents refer to Kerman as "Karmania", "Kermania", "Germania" and "Žermanya", which means bravery and combat. Geographers have recorded Kerman's ancient name as "Go'asheer" (Bardesheer).

Kerman today

Kerman is prone to natural disasters. A recent flood for example, unearthed the archeological ancient city of Jiroft, located 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. And on February 22, 2005, a major earthquake killed hundreds of residents in the town of Zarand and several nearby villages in north Kerman (see 2005 Zarand earthquake).

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.

Kerman is where a large portion of Iran's auto industry is based. Sirjan, a specially designated economic zone, is considered a passage-way 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.