Kerman Province is one 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 second largest province of Iran with an area of 180 , 726 km² , that encompasses nearly 11 percent of the land area of Iran . The population of the province is about 3 million (9th in the country) . 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 , and Ravar .

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 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-é 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Historical documents refer to Kerman as "Karmania" (in Ancient Greek Καρμανία) , "Kermania" , "Germania" , "Carmonia" , and "Žermanya" , which means bravery and combat .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) .

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 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 .

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) .

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

Most of the population of Kerman are Persians and Shi'a Muslims . There is a large number 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 (1482339 male,1456649 female) in 786,400 households . 1684982 lived in urban areas , 1242344 in rural vicinities and 6082 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 1% . 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 .

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 .

Education

Colleges and universities

Kerman province contains the following universities :

1-    Kerman University of Medical Sciences

2-    Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman

3-    Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

4-    Valiasr University of Rafsanjan

5-    Jiroft University

Sirjan University of Technology