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Kerman province

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Kerman province is a massive administrative region in Iran. It is located in the southeast of the country.

Kerman
Kerman

This province is the largest of Iran's 31 provinces. It encompasses nearly 11% of the total land area of the nation. The capital city is Kerman, which is the largest and most developed city in the region. Kerman city has a population of approximately 537,718 people. This city alone makes up about 29% of the total urban population in the province.

The geography of Kerman is defined by complex mountain systems. These ranges are a continuation of the central mountain ranges of Iran. They begin with volcanic folds in Azerbaijan and branch through the central plateau. Eventually, these mountains terminate in Baluchestan. This movement of land has created vast plains throughout the province. The Bashagard and Kuhbonan Mountains are the highest ranges in this specific region. They include several notable peaks such as Toghrol, Aljerd, and Palvar.

High altitudes are a major feature of the Kerman landscape. Many peaks reach very high elevations above sea level (ASL). Mount Hezar is the highest peak in the central part of the province at 4,501 meters ASL. Other significant mountains include Hazaran, which is also 4,501 meters ASL, and Kuh-e Shah at 4,402 meters ASL. The landscape also includes the Joupar, Bahr Aseman, and Khabr mountains. These peaks are located within the Khabr National Park. Most of the province consists of dry steppe or sandy desert environments.

Despite the dry climate, life thrives in specific areas called oases. These oases allow for the cultivation of various crops. Farmers grow dates, pistachios, and oranges in these fertile spots. Some people say the oranges grown here are the best in Iran. To manage water in this arid environment, the province relies on qanats. A qanat is an underground water channel used for irrigation. This ancient technology helps move water to the crops without losing it to evaporation.

Kerman has a deep history that stretches back to antiquity. In ancient times, the region was known as the Achaemenid satrapy of Carmania. An 8th-century text attributed to Movses Khorenatsi places the area in the southern quarter of the Sasanian Empire. During the Sasanian era, Sirjan served as a main city. The region has seen many different rulers over the centuries. In the 13th century, the Qutlugh-Khanids ruled the area. Later, the Mongol Empire and the Timurid Empire also held power in the province.

The population of Kerman has grown steadily over recent years. In the 2006 National Census, the population was 2,584,834 people. By 2011, the census recorded 2,938,988 people living in 785,747 households. The 2016 census showed the population had reached 3,164,718. Most people live in urban areas, which accounted for 1,684,982 people in 2011. The province is also home to diverse linguistic groups. While standard Persian is the main language at 95%, others speak Garmsiri and Achomi Persian dialects. Smaller groups speak Turkic dialects or a Persian Median-type dialect.

Kerman is a vital part of the Iranian economy and education system. The province contains the Gol Gohar mine, which is the largest iron mine in Iran. There is also a specially designated economic zone called Arg e Jadid. For education, the province hosts several institutions. These include Kerman University, Jiroft University, and the Sirjan University of Technology. However, the region also faces natural challenges. Earthquakes have caused significant damage, such as the destruction of the Arg-é Bam adobe structure in 2003. Floods have also occurred, which famously unearthed the ancient city of Jiroft in the south.

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File:Bronze flag, Shadad Kerman, Iran.JPG
Bronze flag, Shadad Kerman, Iran.JPG
File:Kerman.svg
Kerman.svg
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