IRAN STATISTICAL YEARBOOK 1389 1. LAND AND CLIMATE Introduction and Qarah Dagh in Khorasan Ostan on the east he statistical information appeared in this of Iran. chapter is presented in three sections: The mountain ranges in the west, which have Geographical characteristics and administrative extended from Ararat Mountain to the north divisions, Climate, and Environment. west and the south east of the country, cover 1.Geographical characteristics and Sari Dash, Chehel Cheshmeh, Panjeh Ali, administrative divisions Alvand, Bakhtiyari mountains, Pish Kuh, Posht Iran comprises a land area of over 1.6 million Kuh, Oshtoran Kuh and Zard Kuh and form square kilometers. It lies down the northern Zagros ranges . The highest peak of this range is temperate zone, between latitudes 25º 00' and “Dena” with a 4409 m height. 39º 47' north, and longitudes 44º 02' and 63º 20' Southern mountain range stretches from east. The land’s average height is over 1200 Khouzestan province to Sistan & Baluchestan meters. The lowest place, located in Chaleh-ye- province and joins Soleyman Mountains in Loot, is only 56 meters high, while the highest Pakistan. The mountain range includes Sepidar, point, Damavand peak in Alborz Mountains, Meymand, Bashagard and Bam Posht mountains. rises as high as 5610 meters. The land height at Central and eastern mountains mainly comprise the southern coastal strip of the Caspian Sea is Karkas, Shir Kuh, Kuh Banan, Jebal Barez, 28 meters lower than the open seas. Hezar, Bazman and Taftan mountains, the Iran is bounded by Turkmenistan, Caspian highest of which is Hezar Mountain with a 4465 Sea, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the north, m height. Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east, Oman Sea The largest Iranian islands that are mainly and Persian Gulf to the south, and Iraq and located at Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait, are: Turkey to the west. Qeshm, Kish, Lavan, Larak Shahri, Hormuz, Administratively, the country is divided into Hengam Jadid (new Hengam), Kabudan, Ashk Ostans, Ostans into Shahrestans, and Shahrestans (Orumiyeh Lake), Faroor Bozorg (Great Faroor), into cities and Dehestans. Hendurabi, Khark, Minou, Siri, Khan, Abu Highlands of Iran can be divided into four Mosa, Espir (Orumiyeh Lake), Tonb Bozorg mountain ranges: northern, western, southern (Great Tonb), Morghi, Kharku, Arezoo, and central and eastern ranges. The northern (Orumiyeh Lake), Faroor Kuchak( Small mountain ranges have extended from Ararat Faroor) and Tunb Kuchak ( Small Tonb). Mountain in Turkey to Hindu Kush Mountain in The Caspian Sea (the world’s largest lake) lies Afghanistan, including Alamdar, Sahand, on the north of Iran and connects Iran to Sabalan, Talesh, Qaflan Kuh mountains in European countries through Russian water ways. Azarbayejan, Albourz mountain ranges at the The water of the most Iranian lakes is salty. The north of Tehran and south of Mazandaran and major internal lakes are: Orumiyeh, Namak, Gilan Ostans, Ala Dagh, Binalud, Hezar Masjed Hamoun Jazmourian, Hamoun-e-Saberi, 49 1. LAND AND CLIMATE IRAN STATISTICAL YEARBOOK 1389 Bakhtegan,Toshak, Hamoun-e-Pouzak, Maharlu, regions exceeds 500 mm. Hamoune-Hirmand, Talab-e-Anzali( Anzali 2. 2. Moderate mountainous climate: some lagoon), Howz-e-Sultan, Parishan and Zarivar 300000 sq km of the country enjoys moderate of Marivan. mountainous climate, where the annual 2. Climate precipitation varies from 250 to 600 mm. Due to its vast area, abundant mountains, desert 3. Caspian climate, which is a narrow strip with lands and being adjacent to two large seas at the a limited extension, trapped between the Caspian north and south as well as its closeness to Sea and Alborz mountains range with as much as Europe, Mediterranean Sea, African large Sahara 600 to 2000 mm precipitation per annum. desert, Indian Ocean, Asian internal highlands Measurement of climatic characteristics, and large cold areas, Iran enjoys a very variable which dates back to 1320, is currently performed climate. The effect of distance from the sea, by the National Meteorological Organization at namely closeness and remoteness from sea, can its numerous synoptic stations scattered around be easily perceived by comparing the large the country. The data in this chapter, however, amount of rainfall and rich vegetation and highly are only from those located in Ostan (provincial) populated areas around the Caspian Sea to the centers. They include temperature, precipitation, uninhabited arid deserts in the centre of Iran. The and relative humidity, the number of frosty days, continuation of the mountain ranges, their hours of bright sunshine and speed of wind. location opposite or parallel to the winds Notes: direction and air flows are among the factors 1. Some capitals of Ostans have several synoptic which always affect climate change. There is a stations and the data appeared here are from significant difference among mountain slopes those located at the airports of Ostan's capitals. facing or backing onto humid winds in terms of 2. Central basins, Hamun and Sarakhs, were rainfall amount and vegetation. renamed Central Plateau, Eastern Border and The country generally features three climatic Qareh Qum respectively in 1383. zones: 1. Arid and semi-arid climate of the interior and 3. Environment far south characterized by long, warm and dry Statistics for types of natural resources, natural periods, lasting some years over 7 months. The monuments protected by Iran Department of annual precipitation in such regions varies Environment have been reflected in the Iranian between 30 to 250 mm. statistical yearbook since 1368. 2. Mountainous climate, which are Definitions and concepts sub-divided into cold and moderate Shahrestan (subprovince): an administrative mountainous climate. division with a certain geographical boundary, 2.1. Cold mountainous climate: about 40000 sq formed from joining of a few neighboring km of the total country consists of major Bakhshes(county) which enjoy homogeneous highlands, including Alborz and Zagross natural, social, economic, political and cultural mountain ranges, as well as Sahand and Sabalan conditions. high peaks. The annual precipitation in these Bakhsh (county): an administrative division 50 IRAN STATISTICAL YEARBOOK 1389 1. LAND AND CLIMATE with a specific geographical boundary, including Average height of precipitation: the average a number of neighboring Dehestans and their height of precipitation is the weighted mean of adjacent fields, places, Roostas (hamlets), and an area. By dividing the area into several possibly Shahrs, which are similar in natural, polygons and considering the precipitation in social, cultural, economic and political aspects. each polygon, the average height of precipitation Shahr (city/town): an area with a legal is calculated. boundary, located within the geographical Water basin: is a geographical area in which boundary of a certain Bakhsh and in terms of overland flows from, and drains downhill into a constructional context, employment and other body of water, such as ocean, sea, or flat. If the factors, having the distinctive features of a city. concentration point is located inside the basin, Dehestan (rural agglomeration): the smallest the basin is a closed one (e.g. Orumiyeh Lake), unit among administrative divisions with a but if the point is located at the end of the basin, specific geographical boundary, comprised of a so that the flow can leave there, then there is an number of neighboring Roostas and their open basin. Every given point in a river is adjacent places and fields, homogeneous in considered the concentration point for the basin environment, economic and social conditions just above it. that allow for providing public services and Aquatic year: from the first day of Mehr to the planning within a single system and network. end of Shahrivar of the next year. Synoptic stations (simultaneous meteorological Coefficient of overland flow: the ratio of the reporting stations): the stations at which various volume of water flowed in a given hydrometric climatic features including dry and humid station to the volume of the precipitation of the temperatures, amount and type of cloud, amount basin stretching to the station. of precipitation, type of climatic phenomenon, Hydrometric stations: stations in which direction and speed of wind, amount of parameters of debit (discharge), sediment, evaporation, air pressure, hours of bright temperature, physical properties of water and sunshine, changes in pressure, amount of solar features of ice cover and chemical properties of radiation, etc. are according to certain rivers, lake and dams reservoir are observed and instructions at certain hours measured and by measured. devices like SSB, telephone or telex Volume of overland flow: To estimate the communicated to meteorological centers across volume of overland flow of each of the country’s the globe after being registered. main basins, a total of 42 rivers have been Absolute minimum: the lowest temperature selected to indicate and represent the overland during a certain period (24 hours, one month, flow, whose annual total volume of overland one year, or a few years). flow exceeds 60 percent of the country’s grand total. Absolute maximum: the highest temperature To reach the volume of any individual flow, a proper during a certain period (24 hours, one month, coefficient is applied to the total volume. one year, or a few years). National parks: an area of the nation's natural Relative humidity: the amount of humid air in a resources such as jungles, pastures, natural coppices, volume unit of air. woodlands, plains, water and mountainous regions 51 1. LAND AND CLIMATE IRAN STATISTICAL YEARBOOK 1389 which presents distinguished samples of Iran's Moreover, average maximum and minimum natural manifestations and is protected in order to temperatures in Ostans’ centers belong to Bandar provide sustainable preservation of its natural and Abbas, with 27.4O C and Ardebil with 10.8O C variable conditions and create a suitable environment respectively. Furthermore, the absolute maximum for reproduction and breeding of wildlife and growth belongs to Ahvaz with 50.8O C and the absolute of plants in a completely natural condition.