Kerman

For the administrative subdivisions, see Kerman Province and Kerman County. For the village in Mazandaran Province, see Kerman, Mazandaran. For the U.S. city, see Kerman, California.

Kerman کرمان
city
Ancient names: Kārmānia, Boutiā, Germānia
Clockwise from the top: Kerman's skyline; Jabaliyeh dome – ancient museum of stone; Saderat Bank tower; Jameh Mosque; and Burj Av'al (Tower One)
Official seal of Kerman Seal
Nickname(s): ديار كريمان (Persian for "Land of Karimans"), The City of Stars
Kerman
Coordinates:
Country	Iran
Province	Kerman
County	Kerman
Bakhsh	Central
Founded	c. 3rd century A.D
Government
• Mayor	Abolghasem Seyfollahi
Area
• city	185 km2 (85.16 sq mi)
Elevation	1,755 m (5,758 ft)
Population (2011Kiu)
• city	734,441
• Urban	821,374
• Population Rank in Iran	10th
Demonym(s)	Kermani
Time zone	IRST (UTC+3:30)
• Summer (DST)	IRDT (UTC+4:30)
Postal code	761
Area code(s)	+98 34
Main language(s)	Persian
Website	www.kermancity.kr.ir/

Kerman (<phonos file="Kerman female.ogg">pronunciation</phonos>) (Persian: كرمان‎‎, also Romanized as Kermān, Kermun, and Kirman; also known as Carmania) is the capital city of Kerman Province, Iran. At the 2011 census, its population was 821,374, in 221,389 households, making it the 10th most populous city of Iran.

It is the largest and most developed city in Kerman Province and the most important city in the southeast of Iran. It is also one of the largest cities of Iran in terms of area. Kerman is famous for its long history and strong cultural heritage. The city is home to many historic mosques and Zoroastrian fire temples. Kerman is also on the recent list of the world's 1000 cleanest cities. Kerman is also a former capital of Iran, a position that it held during several periods. It is located on a large, flat plain, 1,036 km (643 mi) south of Tehran, the capital of Iran.

History

Kerman was founded as a defensive outpost, with the name Behdesīr, by Ardeshir I, founder of the Sassanid Empire, in the 3rd century AD. After the Battle of Nahāvand in 642, the city came under Muslim rule. At first the city's isolation allowed Kharijites and Zoroastrians to thrive there, but the Kharijites were wiped out in 698, and the population was mostly Muslim by 725. Already in the eighth century the city was famous for its manufacture of cashmere wool shawls and other textiles. The Abbasid Caliphate's authority over the region was weak, and power passed in the tenth century to the Buyid dynasty, which maintained control even when the region and city fell to Mahmud of Ghazna in the late tenth century. The name Kerman was adopted at some point in the tenth century.

The Masjid gate through which Agha Mohammad Khan entered the city

Sassanid era horse head found in Kerman

Under the rule of the Seljuk Turks in the 11th and 12th centuries, Kerman remained virtually independent, conquering Oman and Fars. When Marco Polo visited Kerman in 1271, it had become a major trade emporium linking the Persian Gulf with Khorasan and Central Asia. Subsequently, however, the city was sacked many times by various invaders. Kerman expanded rapidly during the Safavid Dynasty. Carpets and rugs were exported to England and Germany during this period.

Entrance to Ganjalikhan baths and Ganjalikhan of ivan

Roof of Ganjalikhan mosque

Jebeliyyeh – ancient stone of museum

In 1793 Lotf Ali Khan defeated the Qajars, and in 1794 he captured Kerman. But soon after he was besieged in Kerman for six months by Agha Mohammad Khan. When the city fell to Agha Mohammad Khan, angered by the popular support that Lotf Ali Khan had received,all the male inhabitants were killed or blinded, and a pile was made out of 20,000 detached eyeballs and poured in front of the victorious Agha Mohammad Khan. The women and children were sold into slavery, and in ninety days the city was destroyed.

The present city of Kerman was rebuilt in the 19th century to the northwest of the old city, but the city did not return to its former size until the 20th century.

Geography

Kerman
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     29     12 −4     27     14 −1     32     19 3     20     24 8     8.6     30 12     0.5     35 16     0.7     36 17     0.6     34 14     0.3     31 10     0.7     26 5     5.1     19 −1     18     14 −4 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm Source: World Weather Organization
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     1.1     53 25     1.1     58 30     1.3     65 38     0.8     75 46     0.3     86 54     0     95 60     0     96 63     0     93 58     0     88 50     0     78 41     0.2     67 31     0.7     57 26 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches

Kerman is located on a high margin of Kavir-e Lut (Lut Desert) in the south-central part of Iran. The city is surrounded by mountains. Kerman is also located along the Saheb Al Zman mountain. The city is 1,755 m (5,758 ft) above sea level, making it third in elevation among provincial capitals in Iran. Winter brings very cold nights to Kerman. Mountains in the south and southeast Jftan Joopar and Plvar and Kerman have snow all year round. Kerman is located at latitude 30.29 and longitude 57.06.

Climate

The city's many districts are surrounded by mountains that bring variety to Kerman's year-round weather pattern. 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 1,755 m (5,758 ft) above sea level.

The city of Kerman has a moderate climate. 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 Iranian paleontologists, Kerman has always been considered a fossil paradise. The discovery of new dinosaur footprints in 2005 renewed hopes for better understanding the history of this area.

Economy

A Kerman carpet

The economy of Kerman is mostly based on farming, notably nut farming and also mining. Sarchashmeh Copper mine is the second biggest copper mine in the world after the one located in Chile. Pistachios are an important part of the economy in Kerman, with Kerman Province being the largest producer of pistachios in Iran and the world.

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, dates from about 500 years ago, evidence of the prominence of weaving in this city. Among the most famous Kerman carpet producers of the 19th and 20th centuries include Costigian, Ghastili and Dilmaghani, the latter still in operation and considered an important link to 19th and 20th century carpet production in Kerman. 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

Kerman has an abundance of architectural relics of antiquity.

Kerman is among several cites in Iran with a strong cultural heritage, which is expressed in the local accent, poetry, local music, handicrafts and customs that Kerman has introduced to the world.

The only anthropology Iran museum of Zoroastrians in the world, which showcases the ancient history of Zoroastrians, is in Kerman’s Fire Temple. The idea of launching the museum along with the library of Kerman’s Zoroastrian Society came to light in 1983, when the head of the society, Parviz Vakhashouri, and the former head of the library, Mehran Gheibi, collected cultural heritage artifacts of Kerman’s Zoroastrian community. These two officials added many other objects to this collection. The museum was officially inaugurated during Jashn-e Tirgan in 2005 by Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO).

Jashn-e Tirgan or Tiregan is an ancient Iranian rain festival observed on July 1. The festivity refers to archangel Tir (literally meaning arrow) or Tishtar (lightning), who appear in the sky to generate thunder and lightning for providing much needed rain.

The Sadeh ceremony is celebrated every year in Kerman.

Also, the archeological ancient areas of Jiroft and Tappe Yahya Baft are located south of Kerman. Rayen Castle is also located in Rayen town, southeast of Kerman.

Demography

The people of Kerman are Persians, and most are Shi'a Muslims. Kerman has a small but culturally significant Zoroastrian minority.

The population of the city in 1996 was 385,000 and in 2006 was 515,414; the current population is 621,374, including 312,873 male and 308,501 female.

Population development

Some of these figures are estimates only, official census results are indicated with (¹).

Year Population 1896 ¹ 40,228 1906 55,000 1916 ¹ 52,154 1926 ¹ 55,048 1936 75,000 1946 ¹ 97,363 1956 ¹ 101,716 1966 ¹ 140,761 1976 ¹ 254,786 1986 310,000 1991 350,000 1996 ¹ 384,991

Year Population 2001 450,000 2006 ¹ 515,414 2011 ¹ 734,441

¹ official census results

Government

Politics in Kerman are influenced by the former President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, his brother and Vice President Mohammad Hashemi Rafsanjani and Hossein Marashi, both from nearby Rafsanjan. Mohammad Javad Bahonar was born in Kerman. He was an Iranian scholar, Shiite theologian and politician who served as the Prime minister of Iran from 15 to 30 August 1981 when he was assassinated by Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK).

Colleges and universities

• Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman is one of Iran's technological institutions.
• Kerman University of Medical Sciences is the 8th largest medical university in Iran.
• Kerman Graduate University of Technology is a graduate-level degree-granting institution.
• Shahid Chamran Technical College of Kerman
• Payam Noor University of Kerman
• Islamic Azad University of Kerman
• Kerman Khaje-Nasir Higher Education Center

Sport

The city is home to many athletic teams representing different sports. Sanat Mes Kerman FC is the major soccer team of the city. It was promoted to Iran's top league, the IPL, in the 2005-06 season. The team is named after and sponsored by Kerman's copper industries. This team has a history of participating in the AFC Champions League. Also, many famous soccer players were born in Kerman.

• MES handball team is in the top league.
• MES cycling team is in the top league of cycling in the country.
• MES chess team is in the first league of the country.
• The city's baseball team, known as the Boshra Baseball Academy, won the country's baseball cup for the first time in 2013.

In October 2013, Kerman was host to the qualifying Group D of AFC U-19 Championship 2014.

Kerman sport venues

• 15 000 seat Shahid Bahonar Stadium
• 30 000 seat dedicated MES soccer team Stadium (under construction)
• Salimi Kia Stadium
• Sports Complex of Imam Ali
• Sirch Ski resort
• Kerman Horseback Riding Club
• International Kart racing track: This track is one of the most standard Kart racing tracks in Iran.
• international Large track cycling (under construction)

Media

Kerman is the media center of the Kerman Province. Many newspapers are published in the city such as Kerman Emruz (Kerman Today) and Bidari. Hadis–Pasargad is also a weekly newspaper. Kerman has a 24-hour TV channel known as the Kerman Channel or Channel 5. The city also has a radio station.

Transportation

Kerman's Adineh bus terminus

Boeing 747-400 of Iranian Mahan Air

Kerman is on the Tehran, Bandar Abbas and Zahedan route. Kerman Airport is considered one of Iran's main airports. It has daily and weekly flights to Tehran, Ahwaz, Yazd, Esfahan, Bandar Abbas, Mashhad and Shiraz. Also, the Trans-Iranian Railway passes through this city. Kerman's newly built bus terminus, Adineh, opened in May 2013.

Mahan Air Airlines

The international company Mahan Air was established, and has its headquarters, in Kerman. Flights between Kerman and the remotest parts of Iran and the world are handled by Mahan Air. Established in 1992 in Kerman, this company has the highest reputation of quality among Iranian airlines and is now on the list of the best airline companies in the region.

Metro

Kerman's Metro had been approved by the government cabinet and was meant to cover large parts of the metropolitan area in Kerman, but the project's operations were canceled due to several issues. Later it was heard that a tram project would replace the Metro project, but this project has not been launched yet.

Health

Kerman is one of the leading cities in Iran in the field of health and many people from neighboring provinces such as Sistan and Baluchestan, Hormozgan visit the city for medical care. Kerman is on the recent list of the world's 1000 cleanest cities.

The city has several hospitals. The well known ones are: Afzalipour hospital, Doctor Bahonar Hospital, Raziye Firoz Hospital, and Mehregan Hospital.

Famous people from Kerman

• Mohammad Hossein Khajehnassiri (Supreme Court Judge)Politician, Lawyer, Owner and editor in chief of(Tondbad Newspaper)
• Al-Mahani (9th century mathematician and astronomer)
• Khwaju Kermani (14th century poet from the 14th century)
• Shah Nimatullah Wali (14th century Sufi Master and poet)
• Mirza Reza Kermani (Iranian revolutionary who assassinated the Shah of Persia)
• Qasem Soleimani (Commander of the Qods Force, a division of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps)
• Mohammad Javad Bahonar (The Prime minister of Iran from 15 to 30 August 1981 when he was assassinated by Mujahideen-e Khalq)
• Mohammad-Reza Bahonar (The conservative First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Iran)
• Mohammad Mehdi Zahedi (The former Iranian minister of science and technology and Mathematics full professor)
• Majid Namjoo (Iranian politician who is currently the Minister of Energy )
• Mohammad Ebrahim Bastani Parizi
• Houshang Moradi Kermani (Eminent Iranian writer)
• Ilya Salmanzadeh, Swedish-Iranian music producer
• Keikhosrow Shahrokh
• Peyman Soltani, conductor of Melal Orchestra
• Saeed Nafisi (Writer in Persian)
• Arash Borhani (Soccer player)
• Zahra Nemati (Paralympic archery gold medallist at the 2012 Summer Paralympics)
• Roohollah Khaleghi
• Abbas Namazian
• Ali Movahedi-Kermani
• Mahnaz Afkhami (Founder and president of Women's Learning Partnership (WLP) )
• Ahmad Madani (Iranian politician, Commander of Iranian Navy (1979))
• Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh ((12/10/1926 – 10/10/2008), previous Master of the Nimatullahi Sufi Order)
• Mohammad Arjomand (Was known as the king of the Persian carpet)
• Ahmadreza Ahmadi
• Mozzafar Baghai
• Ali Akbar Abdolrashidi
• Parviz Shahriari

Gallery

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  Ganjali Khan Mosque

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  Ganjali Khan school

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  Ganjali Khan square

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  Shazdeh Garden (Prince's Garden)

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  Shazdeh Garden

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  Jabaliyeh Dome

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  Shah Nimatullah Wali holy shrine

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  Shah Nimatullah Wali holy shrine (praying hall)

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  Entrance to Kerman's Jameh Mosque (also known as Friday Mosque)

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  Malek (Emam) Mosque of Kerman

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  Rayen Castle near Kerman

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  Kerman's Grand Bazaar

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  Museum of Zoroastrians

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  Kerman's Patteh

• Pars Hotel.jpg

  Kerman Pars Hotel

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  Kerman Railway Station

See also

• Kerman Bazaar
• Kerman carpet
• Ganjali_Khan_Bathroom
• Shazdeh Garden
• Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
• Jabalieh

External links

• Kerman travel guide from Wikivoyage
• Google Map: Kerman
• Kerman's Weather
• Kerman's city map
• Mahan Air
• Kerman's portal
• Kerman's tourist portal
• Kerman Disaster Management Center
• Kerman's job agency
• Kerman Zoroastrian Association
• Kerman Travel Video