Kerman Province

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Kerman Province
استان کرمان
Bam Fortress (2016)
Bam Fortress (2016)
Location of Kerman within Iran
Kerman Province and its counties
Location of Kerman Province
Country  Iran
Region Region 5
Capital Kerman
Counties 23
 • Governor TBD
 • Total 183,285 km2 (70,767 sq mi)
Population (2016)[1]
 • Total 3,164,718
 • Density 17/km2 (45/sq mi)
Time zone IRST (UTC+03:30)
Main language(s) Persian

Kerman Province (Persian: استان کرمان‎, Ostān-e Kermān) is the first largest province 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.[2] Mentioned in ancient times as the Achamenid satrapy of Carmania,[3] it is the first-largest province of Iran with an area of 183,285 km2 (70,767 sq mi), that encompasses nearly 11 percent of the land area of Iran.[4] The population of the province is about 3 million (9th in the country).

History and culture[edit]

Bronze flag, Shahdad Kerman, Iran, 3rd millennium BC





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 high peaks like hazaran 4501 meters above sea level, kuh-e Shah 4402 meters, Joupar, bahr Aseman and Khabr mountain in Khabr national park and others.




The counties of Kerman province are Baft County, Bardsir County, Bam County, Jiroft County, Rafsanjan County, Zarand County, Sirjan County, Shahr-e-Babak County, Kerman County, Kahnuj County, Qaleh Ganj County, Manujan County, Rudbar-e Jonubi County, Anbarabad County, Rabor County, Rigan County, Arzuiyeh County, Fahraj County, Faryab County and Ravar County.


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.


Most of the population of Kerman are Persians, and Shi'a Muslims. There is a minority 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 (1,482,339 male; 1,456,649 female) in 786,400 households. 1,684,982 lived in urban areas, 1,242,344 in rural vicinities and 6,082 accounted as non-residents.[5]

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 one percent.[6] 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.

Shazdeh Garden, Mahan, Kerman




As of 1920, the province was known for the quality of its caraway.[7] 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.

Malek Mosque, Kerman, Iran.


Colleges and universities[edit]

Kerman province contains the following universities:

See also[edit]



External links[edit]

Media related to Kerman Province at Wikimedia Commons