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Hormozgan province

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Hormozgan is one of the 31 provinces of Iran.

Hormozgan
Hormozgan

It is located in the south of the country. The province sits within Iran's Region 2. This area faces the Gulf of Oman and the Hormuz Straits. It is also near the United Arab Emirates. The province includes 14 islands located in the Persian Gulf. It is a place of great strategic importance due to its location.

The physical landscape of Hormozgan is primarily mountainous. These mountains form the southern tip of the Zagros Range. The climate in the province is very hot and humid. During the summer, temperatures can sometimes exceed 120 °F (49 °C). There is very little precipitation throughout the entire year. To manage water needs, the province relies on three major hydro dams. These are the Esteghlal Dam, the Jegin Dam, and the Shemil Dam. The Esteghlal Dam is also known as the Minab Dam. It supplies much of the water consumed by Bandar Abbas.

History in this region stretches back to the Achaemenid era. During that time, Nearchus passed through the region. The recorded history of the main port, Bandar-e Hormoz, begins with Ardashir I of the Sassanid empire. The province was notably prosperous between 241 BC and 211 BC. However, it saw less significance during the beginning of the Islamic era. In 1272 and 1293, the traveler Marco Polo visited the port of Bandar Abbas. He reported trading silk from Indochina and pearls from Bahrain in the bazaar.

Portuguese Castle (Hormuz)
Portuguese Castle (Hormuz)

European involvement changed the region's history significantly. In 1497, Vasco da Gama led the first Europeans to land in the area. In 1508, Afonso de Albuquerque arrived with seven Portuguese warships. The Portuguese used the fishing port of Hormuz for its strategic position. Ismail I tried to counter the Ottoman Empire but could not save the port from the Portuguese. Later, Shah Abbas I drove the Portuguese out of the Persian Gulf with British help. The name of the capital city, Bandar Abbas, comes directly from Shah Abbas I.

Bandarabbas-hindu
Bandarabbas-hindu

Global powers later competed for influence in the province. The British and the Dutch colonialists competed for control in the region. The Dutch developed Qeshm Island and sent warships to Bandar Abbas. Eventually, the British East India Company took control over the entire Persian Gulf. They adopted a policy of encouraging local autonomy to prevent unified forces from threatening them. The strategic value of the area grew even more after World War I. This was due to the discovery of oil in the region.

The population of Hormozgan has grown steadily over recent decades. In the 2006 National Census, there were 136,537 people. By 2011, the population reached 157,818 inhabitants. The 2016 census measured the population at 177,641 people. Most residents live in urban areas. Nearly 55% of the population lives in cities. Bandar Abbas is the most populous city with 52,664 people. Other large cities include Minab, Qeshm, and Kish.

Bandar Abbas International Airport 3
Bandar Abbas International Airport 3

Language and culture are diverse within the province. The population is dominated by various Persian languages. Northwest Iranian Balochi is also present. Minority groups speak Arabic, which is a Semitic language. Some residents speak Kholosi, which is an Indic language. The province is also a center for education and industry. It contains several universities, such as the University of Hormozgan.

Overview of KIH
Overview of KIH

Today, Hormozgan is an active economic hub. It has 11 ports, five air strips, and three national airports. The agriculture sector is very strong here. The province ranks first in Iran for lime production. It also ranks second in date production. The fishing industry is massive, providing 30% of Iran's fishery produce. The province also hosts two free trade zones on Kish and Qeshm islands. Kish Island is home to the Iranian oil bourse. This is one of only five such exchanges in the world.

Bandar Abbas International Airport 3
Bandar Abbas International Airport 3
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File:Bandar Abbas International Airport 3.jpg
Bandar Abbas International Airport 3.jpg
File:Overview of KIH.jpg
Overview of KIH.jpg
File:Bandarabbas-hindu.jpg
Bandarabbas-hindu.jpg
File:Hormozgan.svg
Hormozgan.svg
File:Portuguese Castle (Hormuz).jpg
Portuguese Castle (Hormuz).jpg
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