Iran
covers an area of 1,648,000 square kilometers in
South-Western Asia. Although this immense country enjoys
different pleasant climates, its most parts have four
distinct seasons. Snow-clad mountains, Luxuriant forests,
deserts with mysterious beauty, fascinating coasts,
numerous historical monuments and delicate handicrafts as
well as warm-hearted and hospitable people are all in its
26 provinces.
Fars
province has been a significant center of the Persian
culture and civilization. During some important Iranian
dynasties, including the Achaemenids, Fars was the capital
of Iran. Considering numerous historical monuments, Fars
is an exponent of the Iranian art and history. Some of the
greatest Iranian poets and philosophers are from Fars. The
identity of this province and the whole country is so much
merged that Iran was once known as Pars (Persia).
Located in Southern Iran and covering an area of 133000 sq
km, Fars is surrounded by Yazd and Isfahan from North,
Kohkiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad from West, Hormozgan and Bushir
from South, and Kerman from East.
Climate of Fars is complex, ranging from cold in the
mountainous regions to warm in the Southern and Eastern
areas.
Cities of Sepidan and Nurabad are located in the
mountainous regions. In the cities of Shiraz, Kazeroun,
Fasa and Firouzabad weather is mild, while Lar, Khonj and
Evaz have hot dry summers.
Zagros
range stretches from the North-West to the South-East. In
North and North-West of the province, there are lofty
mountains like Barm Firouz and Azamat.
The famous defile of Koli Kosh is in this mountain.
Mountains near Shiraz are Sabz Poushan, Bamu, Tudaj and
Kharman.
The most important river is Karkheh, originating in the
Northern mountains, passing by the city of Marvdasht and
emptying into Lake Bakhtegan.
This river, across which the large dam of Derudzan has
been built and irrigates many areas and creates
spectacular views. Dam is suitable for water sports.
Other rivers of Fars, most of which flows into the Persian
Gulf are: Qara
Aqaj, Shapour, Dalki, Firouzabad and Fahlian. Waterfall of
Margun in the westernmost of Fars is very high, attracting
large numbers of people.
There
are three impressive lakes in Fars; Bakhtegan (Neiriz),
Parishan (Famour) and Maharlu. Lake Bakhtegan in the
Eastern Fars is linked with a smaller lake called Teshk.
Teshk is a shallow lake and is located in Neiriz.
Bakhtegan is the habitat of some species of migratory
birds. Parishan, situated in the South-East of Kazeroun,
is a centre for fishing and fish farming. There are
recreational facilities on the lake. Maharlu located 18 km
East of Shiraz has salt-water from which salt is obtained.
In
mountainous regions, there are impressive caves; the most
important of which are: Tadevan cave, located 120 km East
of Shiraz on the road of Jahrom-Shiraz. This cave, where a
lot of bats live, is one of the largest caves in Iran.
Heidar Beig, in which there is a well, is located in
Beiza.
Shafaq
cave, located 140 km East of Shiraz, Shah Qandab cave, 45
km away from Abadeh, and Kan Gohar cave 36 Km away from
Surian in Abadeh are caves having stalactites and
stalagmites. Shapour cave, 30 Km from Kazeroun, in which
there is a pool is a point of interest. A statue of
Shapour 1, a king of the Sassanid dynasty, with a height
of 7 meters is in front of the cave.
Vegetation
of the province is rich in variety, including goat’s
thorn, acanthus, milfoil, oak, almond and fig trees. The
forested areas are the stretches of forests of Zagros.
Wildlife
includes ibex, gazelle, mouflon, deer, wild boar, fox and jackal.
Birds found in Fars are partridge, pheasant, eagle, and
some species of migratory birds. National park of Bamu, in
the Northern Shiraz, covering an area of 40000 ha, abounds
with deer. Wildlife sanctuary of Arjan, established in the
West of Shiraz, includes forests and many springs. A rare
variety of Iranian deer lives in this area. Bahram Gur,
Harmad and Bakhtegan are other
wildlife
santuaries.
Ruling
dynasty of Persian was settled in Fars by Achaemenids.
From then, Fars has been a major center of Iranian culture
and civilization. “Farsi” (Persian) is the language,
which is predominantly spoken. The religion of the
majority of the people is Islam. The religious minorities
are Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians. One of the biggest
Iranian tribes, called “Qashqai” lives in Fars.
All
cities of the Province are linked with each other and with
the neighboring provinces by asphalt all-weather roads.
International airport of Shiraz connecting Shiraz with
many cities in Iran and abroad plays an important role in
transportation of both passengers and goods. Cities of Lar
and Lamard, also, have airports, linking them with Shiraz
and Tehran. Shiraz is on the main road from Tehran to the
Southern Iran.
Agriculture
is of great importance in Fars. The major products include
cereals (wheat and barley), citrus fruit, date, sugar beet
and cotton.
Some of Fars' industries are petrochemical industry, an
oil refinery, a factory for producing tires, electronics
industry, and a sugar mill.
Fars
province consists of 15 cities. Shiraz is the provincial
capital (world-famous as a historical city) and the others
are: Abadeh, Estahban, Eqlid, Jahrom, Darab, Sepidan, Fasa,
Firouzabad, Kazeroun, Lar, Lamard, Marvdasht, Mamasani and
Neiriz.
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