Bandar Abbas

Coordinates: Bandar Abbas or Bandar-e 'Abbas (in Persian: بندر عباس) is a port city and capital of Hormozgan province on the southern coast of Iran (Persia), on the Persian Gulf. The city occupies a strategic position on the narrow Straits of Hormuz. It had an estimated population of 352,173 in 2005. ^*

Geography

Bandar Abbas is situated on a flat ground with average altitude of 9m above sea level. The nearest elevated areas are mount Geno 17km to the north and mount Pooladi 16km to the north-west of the city. Closest river to Bandar Abbas is river Shoor rooted from mount Geno and pours to Persian gulf, 10km east of the city.

Climate

Bandar Abbas has a hot and humid climate. Maximum temperature in summers can reach up to 49°C while in winters the minimum temperature drops to ~5°C. The annual rainfall is around 251mm and the relative humidity is 66%.

Roads

Bandar Abbas is accessible via following highways:

Bandar Abbas-Sirjan 300km to the north-east
Bandar Abbas-Kerman 484km to the north-east
Bandar Abbas-Shiraz 650km to the north
Bandar Abbas-Zahedan 722km to the east

Transportation

Bandar Abbas has an international airport with capacity and facilities for landing large transport airplanes .

Products

Date, citrus, tobacco and factory goods.

Exports

Transit goods, Dates, citrus, tobacco, fishery.

History

The earliest historical record of Bandar Abbas is during the reign of Darius the Great between 586 and 522 BC where his army commander, Silakos embarked from Bandar Abbas to India and Red sea. During Alexander the Great's conquests of the Persian Empire, there is a mention of Bandar Abbas under name Hormirzad.

In the 16th century, the Portuguese established a presence in the region. They fortified the town and called it Gamru, employing it as a mainland port. The city received its name after Abbas I "the Great"(shah of Persia from 1588 to 1629) took it in 1615. After he defeated the Portuguese in a naval battle off Hormuz with help from the British navy, he developed the town into a major port.

Bandar Abbas serves as a major shipping point for mostly imports, and has a long history of trade with India. Thousands of tourists visit the city and nearby islands including Qeshm and Hormuz every year.

External links

1911 Encyclopedia: Bander Abbasi
Bandar-e Abbas entry in the Encyclopedia Iranica

Cities in Iran | Coastal cities | Port cities | Persian Gulf | Iranian provincial capitals

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