Kerman ( ) is a city in Iran. It is the center of Kerman province. Located in a large and flat plain, this city is located 1,076 km (669 mi) south of Tehran, capital of Iran.

Kerman city had an estimated population of 533,799 in 2005.

History

Does not exist

Geography

Kerman is located on a high margin of Kavir-e lut (Lut Desert) in the central south of Iran.

Climate

The city's many districts are surrounded by mountains which bring variety to Kerman's year round weather pattern, thus the northern part of the city is located in an arid desert area, while the highland of the southern part of the city enjoys a more moderate climate. The mean elevation of the city is about 1755 m above sea level.

Kerman city has a moderate and the average annual rainfall is 135 mm. Because it is located close to the Kavir-e lut, Kerman has hot summers and in the spring it often has violent sand storms. Otherwise, its climate is relatively cool.

Geological Characteristics

For the Iranian Paleontologists, Kerman has always been considered a fossil paradise. Finding new dinosaur footprints in 2005 has now revealed new hopes for Paleontologists to better understand the history of this area.

Economy

Carpet weaving is one of the main industries of the city, and the carpets produced there are renowned internationally. Carpet weaving is a very old tradition in Kerman. The oldest carpet discovered in Kerman, belongs to about 500 years ago, which proves the precedence of weaving in this city. Cotton textiles and goats-wool shawls are also manufactured.

A number of modern establishments such as textile mills and brickworks also have been constructed. The province's mineral wealth includes copper and coal.

Culture

The archeological ancient city of Jiroft is located south of Kerman.

Demography

Most of the population of Kerman are Shi'a Muslims; But Kerman also has a small but culturally significant Zoroastrian minority.

The population of the city in 1996 was 385,000 and the current population is 533,799.

Government

Politics in Kerman are influenced by the former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, his brother and Vice President Mohammad Hashemi Rafsanjani, and the Vice President Hossein Marashi, both from the nearby Rafsanjan.

Colleges and universities

Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman is one of Iran's leading technological institutions. Other universities are:

• Kerman University of Medical Sciences
• Islamic Azad University of Kerman
• Kerman Khaje-Nasir Higher Education Center

Transportation

Kerman is on the Tehran, Bandar Abbas and Zahedan route. Kerman Airport is counted as one of the main airports which has daily & weekly flights to Tehran, Ahwaz, Yazd, Esfahan, Bandar Abbas, Mashhad and Shiraz. Also the Trans Iranian Railway passes through this city.

Famous people from Kerman

• Keikhosrow Shahrokh
• Peyman Soltani, conductor of Persepolis Orchestra
• Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh
• Arash Borhani
• Ali Akbar Abdolrashidi
• Roohollah Khaleghi
• Said Nafisi
• Mirza Reza Kermani
• Naser ebrahimi
• Zahra Ghiassi-Nejad, KLF6 scholar
• Abbas Namazian
• Homayoun Sanaatizadeh

References

1. Cities in Iran: 2005 Population Estimates
2. Iranian Cities: Kerman
3. Dinosaur Footprints Moulded In Kerman
4. Iran Daily
5. Kerman Rug (Iran): History
6. Travel in Kerman - Iran - History - WorldTravelGate.net

External links

• Kerman Shazdeh Garden
• Kerman Disaster Management Center
• Photos of historic sites in Kerman
• Edareh Kar Kerman
• Photographs of Kerman:

— Masjed-e Jā'meh-e Kerman: (1)

— Moshtāgh-Ali Shāh: (1), (2), (3)

— Gonbad-e Jabalieh: (1)

— Shāh Ne'matollah Vali (in Māhān): (1), (2)

— Bāgh-e Shāzdeh (in Māhān): (1)

• FallingRain Map - elevation = 1744m (Red dots are railways)