Kerman Province

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Historical documents refer to Kerman as "Karmania" (in Ancient Greek Καρμανία), "Kermania", "Germania", "Carmonia", and "Žermanya", which means bravery and combat.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

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 (see 2005 Zarand earthquake).

Ravar

Anar

Kerman

Kuhbanan

Zarand

Rafsanjan

Shahr-e Babak

Bardsir

Sirjan

Baft

Rabor

Jiroft

Bam

Anbarabad

Kahnuj

Rudbar-e
Jonubi

Qaleh
Ganj

Manujan

Fahraj

Rigan

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.

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.

Ganjali Khan Complex in Kerman.

Most of the population of Kerman are Persians, and Shi'a Muslims. Also, more than 15% of the people of Kerman are Lurs and live in mountainous cities in the west of the province. 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.[7]

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.[8] 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

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.

As of 1920, the province was known for the quality of its caraway.[9] 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.[10]

Malek Mosque, Kerman, Iran.

• Kirman (Sasanian province)
• Kerman Province parliamentary districts (related to the Islamic Consultative Assembly)
• List of monuments in Kerman Province
• Carmania (satrapy)
• Dalfard

• Edward Balfour (1885), "Kirman", Cyclopaedia of India (3rd ed.), London: B. Quaritch, hdl:2027/mdp.39015068611014 – via HathiTrust
• Guy Le Strange (1905). "Kirman". Lands of the Eastern Caliphate. Cambridge University Press. p. 299 – via Internet Archive.
• Chisholm, Hugh (1910), "Kerman", Encyclopaedia Britannica (11th ed.), New York, OCLC 14782424
• W. Barthold (1984). "Quhistan, Kirman, and Makran". An Historical Geography of Iran. Translated by Svat Soucek. Princeton University Press. pp. 133–147. ISBN 978-1-4008-5322-9.

Media related to Kerman Province at Wikimedia Commons

• "Kerman". Encyclopædia Iranica.
• Houchang E. Chehabi (ed.). "Regional Studies: Kerman". Bibliographia Iranica. USA: Iranian Studies Group at MIT. (Bibliography)
• Kerman Specially Designated Economic Zone