Geography and History, Bushehr

Geographical Position, Bushehr

The Bushehr province covers an area of 23,191 sq km. of dry land and 60 km. of coastal area. The province is located in the south of Iran and to the north of the Persian Gulf, enjoying a strategic and sound economical position. The townships of this province are the followings: Bushehr, Tangestan (Ahram), Dashtestan (Burazjan), Dashti (Khormoj), Dayer, Daylam, Kangan and Genaveh. The political and economic center named "Bandar-e- Bushehr" or the "Port of Bushehr". In the year 1996, the above mentioned province had a population of approximately 744,000, of which nearly 53.1 % resided in urban areas, 44.8 % accounted for rural regions and the remaining were non-residents.

picture of the Persian Gulf Coast (Bushehr)

Persian Gulf Coast (Bushehr)
According to the natural relief, the Bushehr province can be divided into two segments: one being the plains and the other mountainous regions. The former extending is along the coast of the Persian Gulf, where the majority of the cities (of this province) as well as the inhabitants, are settled. The other regions are named as the two mountain ranges of "Gach Torsh" and "Nokand" which run parallel to each other throughout the length of this province.

Climate, Bushehr

A Natural Landscape of Khark Islan (Bushehr)

In the coastal region, the weather is warm and humid, and in the internal are as warm dry and a desert like climate is experienced. Generally two specific seasons are prevalent, i.e., comparatively cool winters during the months of November to March and the rest account for the hot, dry summer months. The duration of autumn and spring seasons is short. The average temperature ranges between 50° C in summer and 6° C for the winter season. The average annual temperature is recorded at 24° C. It is worth mentioning that from the end of April to end September, for approximately 140 days temperatures rise to more than 40° C.

History and Culture, Bushehr

Zar Khezer Khan Castle

Siraf Ancient City

Due to its suitable and strategic position the province formed a sea-base and port from the older times that is during the period when the Elamite monarchs ruled over the region. During the Achaemenian era, the territory of Bushehr was governed by the officials of "Pars". In the past, the Persian Gulf region which encompassed the Bushehr province was always a seat of the exchange of scholarly activities as well as wealth and the rise of political power, which also included the economic and commercial aspects. These formed the main principles which attracted foreign powers. The first of which, being the rampage of the European governments to the coasts of the Persian Gulf. Such as the Portuguese attack in the year 1506 AD.

In order to gain supremacy over the Egyptian and Venetian traders who held the ropes in this area. In the year (1031 AH.), Shah Abbas Safavid aligned with Britain and expelled the Portuguese from this region. It was during the reign of Nader Shah (1148 AH.) that Bushehr which was no more than a village gained importance and was transformed into a port with a jetty. At the end of the reign of Nader Shah, Iran possessed 23-25 ships in the Persian Gulf.

Furthermore, during the Zandiyeh and Qajar eras, this territory witnessed more political upheavals, such as during the rule of the latter whose influence diminished over this area. Leaving the same was in the hands of the British rule who acquired dominance over Oman Sea too. Great Britain had dominated the scene over the Persian Gulf for a period of twenty years. Britain retained power till ever after the year 1913 as they were victorious in their battles with Nasereddin Shah Qajar in 1857 and in 1913 when the freedom movement under the leadership of "Rais Ali Delvari" proved unsuccessful against the British aggressors.