Kerman 847140 225921330 2008-07-16T00:54:49Z Khoikhoi 657950 /* External links */ fmt {{for|the U.S. city|Kerman, California}} {{Infobox Settlement <!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage--> <!-- Basic info ----------------> |official_name = Kerman |other_name = |native_name = کرمان |nickname = |settlement_type = <!--For Town or Village (Leave blank for the default City)--> |motto = <!-- images and maps -----------> |image_skyline = |image_size = |image_caption = |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |city_logo = |citylogo_size = |image_map = |mapsize = |map_caption = |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map = Iran <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map --> |pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize = <!-- Location ------------------> |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{IRN}} |subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Iran|Province]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Kerman Province|Kerman]] |subdivision_type2 = |subdivision_name2 = |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = <!-- Politics -----------------> |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |leader_title1 = |leader_name1 = |established_title = <!-- Settled --> |established_date = |established_title2 = <!-- Incorporated (town) --> |established_date2 = |established_title3 = <!-- Incorporated (city) --> |established_date3 = <!-- Area ---------------------> |area_magnitude = |unit_pref = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired--> |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = |area_land_km2 = |area_water_km2 = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |area_blank1_title = |area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- Population -----------------------> |population_as_of = 2005 |population_footnotes = |population_note = estimate |population_total =533,799 |population_density_km2 = |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi= <!-- General information ---------------> |timezone = [[Iran Standard Time|IRST]] |utc_offset = +3:30 |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = |latd=30 |latm=17 |lats=13 |latNS=N |longd=57 |longm=04 |longs=09 |longEW=E |elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags--> |elevation_m = 1755 |elevation_ft = 5758 <!-- Area/postal codes & others --------> |postal_code_type = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... --> |postal_code = |area_code = |blank_name = |blank_info = |blank1_name = |blank1_info = |website = |footnotes = }} '''Kerman''' ({{lang-fa|کرمان}}) 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.<ref>[http://www.mongabay.com/igapo/2005_world_city_populations/Iran.html Cities in Iran: 2005 Population Estimates<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==Etymology== Kerman was mentioned by the Greeks by the name ''Karamani''. Historical documents also refer to Kerman as Karmania, Kermania and Zhermanya.<ref>[http://www.mideasttravelling.net/iran/kerman/kerman_history.htm Travel in Kerman - Iran - History - WorldTravelGate.net<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The city was probably founded by the [[Sassanid dynasty|Sassanid]] king [[Ardashir I of Persia|Ardashir I]] in the [[3rd century]], and for this reason it was called "''Ardasheer Khoreh''". The Muslim Arabs called this place ''Bardeseer'' or ''Bardesheer'' and the Iranians used to call it ''Guasheer''. ==History== [[Image:Kerman Masjid Gate.jpg|thumb|300px|The Masjid gate through which Agha Mohammad Khan entered the city.]] It is believed, that Kerman has been founded as early as the 3rd century by Ardeshir I, founder of the Sassanian dynasty.<ref>[http://www.mideasttravelling.net/iran/kerman/kerman_history.htm Travel in Kerman - Iran - History - WorldTravelGate.net<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In Islamic time, Kerman was one of the important cultural centres of Iran.<ref>[http://www.mideasttravelling.net/iran/kerman/kerman_history.htm Travel in Kerman - Iran - History - WorldTravelGate.net<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Kerman was under the Seljuk Turks in the 11th and 12th cent., but remained virtually independent, conquering Oman and Fars.<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/kerman?cat=travel Kerman: Definition and Much More from Answers.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> When Marco Polo visited the city in 1271 it had become a major trade emporium linking the Persian Gulf with Khorasan and Central Asia.<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/kerman?cat=travel Kerman: Definition and Much More from Answers.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Subsequently, however, the city was sacked many times by various invaders. Kerman was expanded rapidly during the [[Safavid Dynasty]]. Carpets and rugs were exported to [[England]] and [[Germany]] during this period.<ref>[http://www.iranchamber.com/cities/kerman/kerman.php Iranian Cities: Kerman<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In 1793 [[Lotf Ali Khan]] defeated the Qajars and in 1794 captured Kerman. But soon, 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 Muhammad Khan.<ref>Hasan Pir Nia, A. Eghbal Ashtiani, ''History of Persia'' (Tarikh-i Iran), ISBN 9646895166, Tehran, 2003, p.655</ref> The women and children were sold into slavery, and the city was destroyed over ninety days. The present city of Kerman was rebuilt in the nineteenth century to the northwest of the old city, but it did not recover until the twentieth century. ==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.<ref>[http://www.iranchamber.com/cities/kerman/kerman.php Iranian Cities: Kerman<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===Geological Characteristics=== For the Iranian [[Paleontologist]]s, Kerman has always been considered a [[fossil]] paradise. Finding new [[dinosaur]] [[footprints]] in 2005 has now revealed new hopes for [[Paleontologist]]s to better understand the history of this area.<ref>[http://www.payvand.com/news/05/jan/1067.html Dinosaur Footprints Moulded In Kerman<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> <ref>[http://irandaily.ir/1383/2185/html/art.htm Irna<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==Economy== [[Image:Head horse Kerman Louvre MAO132.jpg|150px|thumb|Sassanid era horse head Found in Kerman]] Carpet weaving is one of the main industries of the city, and the carpets produced there are renowned internationally.<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/kerman?cat=travel Kerman: Definition and Much More from Answers.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.caroun.com/Rug/CountriesRug/IranRug/KermanRug/2KermanRug-History.html Kerman Rug (Iran): History<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Cotton textiles and goats-wool shawls are also manufactured.<ref>[http://www.mideasttravelling.net/iran/kerman/kerman_history.htm Travel in Kerman - Iran - History - WorldTravelGate.net<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> A number of modern establishments such as textile mills and brickworks also have been constructed. The province's mineral wealth includes copper and coal.<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/kerman?cat=travel Kerman: Definition and Much More from Answers.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==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. <ref>[http://www.mongabay.com/igapo/2005_world_city_populations/Iran.html Cities in Iran: 2005 Population Estimates<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==Government== Politics in Kerman are influenced by the former [[President of Iran|President]] [[Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani]], his brother and Vice President [[Mohammad Hashemi]], and the Vice President [[Hossein Marashi]], both from the nearby [[Rafsanjan]]. ==Colleges and universities== [[Image:Mahan asemoon.jpg|thumb|150px|Kerman has an abundance of architectural relics of antiquity.]] [[Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman]] is one of Iran's leading technological institutions. Other universities are: *[[Kerman University of Medical Sciences]] *[http://www.iauk.ac.ir/ Islamic Azad University of Kerman] *[http://www.kkhec.ac.ir 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]].<ref>[http://www.iranchamber.com/cities/kerman/kerman.php Iranian Cities: Kerman<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Also the Trans Iranian Railway passes through this city.<ref>[http://www.iranchamber.com/cities/kerman/kerman.php Iranian Cities: Kerman<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==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]] == References == <references/> == External links == * [http://www.irantouronline.com/kerman/natural-attractions/mahan-summer-residing-places-kerman.html Kerman Shazdeh Garden] * [http://www.kdmc.ir Kerman Disaster Managment Center ] * [http://www.iranchamber.com/cities/kerman/kerman.php Iran Chamber Society's page on Kerman] * [http://persia.org/imagemap/kerman.html Photos of historic sites in Kerman] * [http://www.kermankar.ir Edareh Kar Kerman] * Photographs of Kerman: :&mdash; ''Masjed-e Jā'meh-e Kerman'': [http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadeghkhan/219067137/sizes/l/in/photostream/ (1)] :&mdash; ''Moshtāgh-Ali Shāh'': [http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadeghkhan/219067138/sizes/l/in/photostream/ (1)], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadeghkhan/219067139/sizes/l/in/photostream/ (2)], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadeghkhan/219067140/sizes/l/in/photostream/ (3)] :&mdash; ''Gonbad-e Jabalieh'': [http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadeghkhan/219067141/sizes/l/in/photostream/ (1)] :&mdash; ''Shāh Ne'matollah Vali'' (in [[Mahan, Iran|Māhān]]): [http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadeghkhan/219067142/sizes/l/in/photostream/ (1)], [http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadeghkhan/219067720/sizes/l/in/photostream/ (2)] :&mdash; ''[[bagh (garden)|Bāgh-e]] Shāzdeh'' (in Māhān): [http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadeghkhan/219067721/sizes/l/in/photostream/ (1)] {{coor title dms|30|17|13|N|57|04|09|E|region:IR-15_type:city(533800)}} [[Category:Cities, towns and villages in Kerman Province]] [[Category:Iranian provincial capitals]] [[de:Kerman (Iran)]] [[es:Kermán]] [[eu:Kerman (hiria)]] [[fa:کرمان]] [[fr:Kerman]] [[ko:케르만 시]] [[id:Kerman]] [[hu:Kermán]] [[nl:Kerman (stad)]] [[ja:ケルマーン]] [[pl:Kerman (miasto)]] [[pt:Kerman]] [[ro:Kerman]] [[ru:Керман]] [[sv:Kerman]] [[tg:Кирмон]]