CHAPTER-II

PROFILE OF ESFAHAN PROVINCE CHAPTER-II PROFILE OF STUDY REGION

2.1 General Introduction

The human relationship with different places on earth surface is interesting as geography focuses on human and natural aspects. Human activity is directly related with natural environment that helps to elevate and welfare the human life. Geography studies the water, soil, climate, plants and human characteristics and combination of these factors and their relation with each others make a suitable condition for living of mankind. For example climate effects human force particularly tourism activity. The Unevenness plays an effective role in determining suitable urban or rural places for tourism. Water resources, plants, animals, soil and geology are the part of ecosystem that must be protected by human being. Since long the relationship between human activities and natural condition is obvious. Natural properties, human capability with environment and its manifestations play vital role in forming and surviving geographical formation.

Presently the existence of subject is more understood because of environmental capacities decline and shortage arises due to increasing population, human needs, technology development and its consequences. Geography studies different elements such as, water bodies, types of soils, vegetation topography, population, occupational structure and etc. The combinations of these elements and identify of this relationship with each others. For example, climate affects tourism sector

14 intensively alongwith physiography determine the location of urban and rural settlements, etc.

2.2 Site and Situation

Esfahan province has a unique geographical location in . The areal extent of study region is 107045.3 square kilometers accounting

6.29 percent area of Iran. This province extends from 30°42 to 34°30 of northern latitudes and 49°36 to 55°32 eastern longitudes and it is delimited in north by Semnan and Central provinces in south by Fars and

Kohgiloyeh provinces, Yazd and Khorasan provinces on east and north east by Khozestan, Chaharmahal Bakhtyari and Lorestan from west and south (Fig. 2.1). This province ranks fifth in term of area after Kerman,

Sistan and Baluchestan and Fars. Moreover, study region is surrounded by Zagros mountains in west, south-west and south. Large desert appears in north and north-west part in study region.

2.3 Administrative Divisions

The study region is one of states in Iran. For administrative purpose the study region is divided into nineteen subdivisions (Table-2.1 )

It is found from this table that(Naiin district has occupied maximum 3593.1 square kilometers area accounting 33.6 percent whereas Khomynishahr has lowest aeral extent of 175.3 square kilometers in study region.

15 16 Table-2.1: Administrative Divisions of Esfahan Province Districts Area Per cent No. of No. of No. of Towns Talukas Villages Aran and Bidgol 5057.2 4.7 4 3 44 10877 10.2 3 7 217 Esfahan 157744 14.7 12 19 485 Borkhar & mimeh 7705.2 7.2 9 6 179 Tiran & koron 1768.8 1.6 3 4 72 Khominishahr 175.3 0.2 3 3 16 Khonsar 907.9 0.8 1 3 23 Semir 5297.5 4.9 4 6 120 Shohreza 4292.3 4.0 3 7 111 Feridan 3282 3.1 6 13 129 Feridan shahr 2236.1 2.1 2 5 84 Folavarjan 315.9 0.3 7 6 78 Koshan 4415.1 4.1 5 9 164 Golpaygan 1597.7 1.5 3 3 70 Lenjan 1111.3 1.1 8 5 60 Mobarokeh 1020.5 1.0 5 5 90 Naiin 35927.1 33.6 4 8 269 Najafabed 2279.9 2.1 5 5 49 3003.1 2.8 2 5 87 Total 107044.3 100 89 122 2344 Source : Planning and Managing Organization, Tehran Note : Area is in square kilometers.

2.4 Physiography

Esfahan province lies in central part of Iran-plateau having average height of 1500 meters from sea level. This mountainous is called

Jabol (Fig.2.2). This region has an unevenness feature. Zagrous mountains series in west stretches from north of to Dena,

From north-west to south-east has mountainous area of Galpayegan,

Khonsar and Freidan including Dalankooh and Darhbid mountains having average height of 3915 and 3631 meters respectively from sea level respectively. The mountainous region in Esfahan province extends in

17 region particularly in south and district. Dena mountain series has 4409 meters height and Ali Jooha mountain has found height of 3717 meters in study region. The mountainous area of province lies in north in where Natanz, Ardestan and Naiin districts are known as Karkas mountain. Whereas Bidgol, , Ardestan, Natanz and Naiin districts lying eastern slope in central in study region mountains series and lie in central part in this province.

Another Marshenal mountains series has\3330 meters^ieight lying in north-west in Esfahan plain. Panjee mountains is closed to Najababad district in Esfahan plain consisting of sediments and metamorphosis layers. This plain is formed by sedimentation with long and continuous alleviate stretched from Esfahan to Sirjan. The slope is towards north­ west and south-east direction. Central mountains lying in north-west to south-east direction separating central plain from north-east and eastern desert. Low height areas are located in east and northern east in dry region. It is the lowest part in this region having 780 meters height. The highest point of Esfahan city is at Amirhamzeh, Hezarjerib and Sepahan at average height of Esfahan1650 meters from sea level and lowest height at Abshar Street (1550 meters). Esfahan province is surrouned by desert plain in Dagh sorkh, Siahkooh districts and it stretches from east of

Kashan to Ardestan region and north of Naiin around 10,000 square kilometers covering sandy hill and fixed granola, and around of Gavkhony wetland has small and great granular (Fig. 2.2)

18 Physiography

Legend Height in Meters > 3,500 3,000 to 3,500 2,500 to 3,000 2,000 to 2,500 1,500 to 2,000 1,000 to 1,500 < 1,000

Geology

Legend Volcanic Rock Sandstone Clay Salty Rock Sediments Limestone

Fig. 2.2

19 2.5 Geology

Esfahan province has three structural zones of zagros, sanandaj- sirjan and central having different geological sediments and formations.

This regions evolves by three different geological faces, namely, volcanic rock, oceanic faces, and metamorphic rocks. It is considered that this province has made expansion of Precambrian formation and it is visible in southern parts, namely, Natanz, eastern south of shaheza and western south of Ardestan where limestone, sands tone and clayston are dominant.The second period formation includes a wide part of this province and it extends from west north to west and southern area having dominance of mountain and rocks outcrop. Third period formation in this province is found in west south of Kashan, eastern north of Natanz, west of Ardestan, Western South of shahreza north and eastern south of

Naeen and some parts of Anarak in study area. Sediments appears in

Zayanderood plains, Govkhoni Wetland, North and western north of

Ardestan, Naeen area and north of Esfahan deserts dunes, salty land and wildernesses are processes of quaternary. Volcanic rocks of second and third period and before Permian appear in central Iran zone particularly in

Kashan and East and South of Gavkhoni wetland. Existence of dunes and movable hills and salt mines in eastern parts of province in Naeen,

Ardestan, Aran-e-Bidgol and Natanz express operation and effects of quaternary geological process or eastern and northern parts in Esfahan province. ( Fig. 2.2 )

20 2.6 Drainage

Water plays vital role in human life. Esfahan province has many rivers, streams and springs originating in west, northwest and south mountainous and off-shoots have sculptured peculiar landforms, long valleys and waterfalls. This provides enchanting scenery for the development of tourism. Out of total amount of accessible water, whether surface and under ground account for 70.6 percent (5278.4 million meter cubes) as underground water and the rest accounting 29.4 percent

(2224.4 million meter cubes) as surface water. It is noticed that underground water in study area is the main source in dry and semi-dry

region in Esfahan province. Zayandeh river besides Lied river are source of water in study region. Fig. 2.3 shows rivers in study region. West and southwest parts in Esfahan province has numerous rivers while central and eastern parts have few rivers. The average volume of surface water

in Esfahan province is 2199.7 million meters cubes accounting 50

percent. Zayandeh and morghab river provides 12.3 million meter cubes water (5 percent). Zayandeh river is the biggest river in Esfahan province of 360 kilometers length. The highest elevation of Zayandeh river lies found at Kappaush maintain having 4300 meters from sea level and

lowest is at Gavkhani wetland.

Another river of this region is morghab river rising near Tiran mountain and flows in south-east direction and joins near and flow for 50 kilometers. The source of morghab river consists of springs and rivulets. Number of other small streams traversing from this region

21 are numerous, morghab river irrigates farmlands. Cosgan river is the third river is traversing from semirom district. Cosgan river has many streams, namely, abmorok, garmab, chareh, and achab are major flowing towards south. Hana river is the tributary of caroon river originating from Agha- dagh and Firouz range in south in Esfahan province. Hana river lies in mountainous region and makes interesting scenery, water falls, natural pools, nice bank and are sources of attraction for thousand tourists annually. Marbor river lies in between dena and agha-dagh mountains.

This river flows in south for about 64 kilometers.

Garmoc river flows down in western part of Ali valley and Ayeneh mountains. Its main water volume is 14.9 meter cube per second and annually mean water volume is 4.9 million meter cubes. Further this river flows along the southern boundary of Esfahan province then turn toward north and Garmoc dam is a major irrigation project on Garmoc river.

Golpayegan river Golpayegan river rises from west in Esfahan province.

Ghom river is the major tributary of this river having 105 kilometers length from the source. Hanjan river lies in central part in Esfahan province near

Natanz district. This river rises from eastern slope of Karkas mountain near village. The annually, water volume of hanjan river is around four million cube meters.

2.7 Climate

Tourism activity is controlled by climate since long ago and it exerts an influence on tourism industry. Unsuitable climate may affect adversely on tourism and disturb tourism too. The diversity pattern of rainfall in study

22 region has found from east to west and south to north. The rainfall decreases from 1300 to 60 millimeters and average annual rainfall in study region is 140 millimeters. The settlements of Esfahan province lie in rain-shadow of Zagros mountain hence the rainfall is less in the region

(Table-2.3 and Fig. 2.3). Tiran and Koran, Feridan, Feraidon Shahr

Chadegan Khonsar districts receive more than 200 millimeters rainfall in year and the highest rainfall has recorded in Emamghay having 574.43 millimeters yearly. The lowest rainfall is less than 100 millimeters has found in for Naiin, Aredestan, Khor and Biabanak districts. Fourty per cent study area belongs to semi-arid climate covering, Natanz, Golpayegan,

Shahreza, Kashan, Esfahan, Mimeh, Morchehkhort, ,

Flavarajah, and Khomindshare districts. This region receive annually mean rainfall between 100 to 200 millimeters.

Table-2.2 : Average Annual Rainfall in Esfahan Province Districts Rainfall Districts Rainfall Golpayegan 165.5 Feridan 309.4 Ardestan 99.3 Semirom 304.8 Emamghays' 574.43 Shahreza 125.9 Esfahan 125.95 Kashan 125.3 Shahin Shahr 129.7 Mimeh 174 Anarak 84.1 Naiin 96.3 Tiran & Koron 18.9 Najafabod 15.3 Khor & Biahank 1.96 Natonz 111.7 Khonsor 356.8 313.1 Feraidon Shahr 310.9 Morchekhort 138.6 Khomonishahr 167.5 Source : Geography of Esfahan, Esfahan University, Esfahan Note : Rainfall is given in millimeters.

23 Drainage

Waterbody River / Stream

Annual Rainfall

Fig. 2.3

24 Annual Temperature

41) Maximum

30

20

I 10

-10

Months Note : The Temperature is given in °C

Climatic Zones

160 km

Legend Moderate with cool & dry climate Semi hot with dry climate More hot with dry climate

Fig. 2.4

25 The highest rainfall is found of 75.6 millimeters in winter (51.8 percent) followed by 40.2 millimeters rainfall in autumn (27.5 percent) while 28.7 millimeters rainfall occurs in spring (19.3 percent) and lowest rainfall found in summer receiving 1.9 millimeters rainfall (1.3 percent).

This type of rainfall distribution is not useful and reliable for human activities specially for tourism industry. Table-2.3 revels the average

monthly rainfall in Esfahan provinces. The highest rainfall received in

January 92.2 millimeters and lowest rainfall recorded only 0.1 millimeters,

in September and weather remains dry and sunny.

Table-2.3 : Monthly Average Rainfall Months Rainfall Months Rainfall

January 29^9 July TT6 February 23.6 August 1.3 March 17.6 September 0.1

April 17.6 October 5.2 May 10.1 November 11.3 June 2.7 December 23.7

Source : Socio-Economic Abstract, Esfahan. Note : Rainfall is given in mm

The average annual temperature in Khor and Biabank lying in

west in study area and has observed highest temperature of 27.65

centigrades while Semirom has recorded 2.56 centigrades having as

coldest district in study region. The annual temperature range is 25.06

centigrade in study region. Fig. 2.4 displays the average annual temperature in study area. The average range is 11 centigrades in west and 19 centigrade in southeast. The Esfahan district observed temperature between 14 to 15 centigrades. Due to physical diversities

26 within study region resulted varying climatic regions. The climate in

Esfahan province is characterized by dryness and having less rainfall.

Thus, temperature plays a vital role in tourism activities in study region.

Table-2.4 presents the average annual temperature in Esfahan province.

Table-2.4: Average Annual Temperature in Esfahan Province Districts Maximum Minimum Districts Maximum Minimum Ardestan 25.01 81~31 Shahreza 3Z1 5J5~ Esfahan 23.1 10.01 Kashan 36.6 12.2 Tiran&Koron 21.22 6.33 Golpayegn 14.5 5.8 Khonsar 18.18 5.42 Mimeh 20.1 3.7 Khor & Biabank 27.65 4.9 Naiin 23.5 8.5 Feridan 16.5 2.56 Najafabad 22.41 6.7 Feraidonshahr 17.1 3.76 Khomyhishahr 24.2 9.35 Semirom 18.76 2.56 Natanz 21.2 6.42 Mobarakeh 22.9 8.8 24.05 6.48 Average ~ ~- 23.06 6lT Source : Geography of Esfahan, Esfahan University, Esfahan. Note : Temperature is given in degree centigrade

The climate of study region can be divided into three zones,

namely, moderate with cool, semi cool with dry and more hot and dry (Fig.

2.4). The first zone lies in highland of Zagros mountains, namely, Feridan,

Feraidonshohr, Khonsar, Chadgan and Semirom. This region is mountainous covering 21 percent in study area. The mean summer temperature is 17 centigrades which decreased upto 30 centigrades in winter. The average annual rainfall receives from 300 to 600 millimeters in study area. Another zone of semi-cool and dry observed in Esfahan,

Mobarakeh, , Najafabad, Borkhar and Mimeh, Khomy-Nishahr,

Golpoyegan, Lenjon, Natanz, Tiran and Koran lying on Zegros slope accounting 23.6 percent area in Esfahan-province. The average annual

27 rainfall is between 100 to 300 millimeters and annual variation temperature ranges from 6.4 to 18.8 centigrade (Fig.2.4). The third climatic zone appears in Shahreza, Ardestan Kashan, Aran and Bidgol and Naiin districts and has more hot and dry climate for longer period upto eight months from April till December. The rainy season begins from

October and ends in April. The highest rainfall receives in January and lowest in August. The rainfall is uneven, inadequate and irregular hence study region has found variations in rainfall from 60 to 100 millimeters.

The average annual temperature ranges from 7.25 to 26.16 centigrades.

2.8 Types of Soil

The soil is an important aspect in study region. The soil of Esfahan province can be broadly classified into three groups, namely, plain and valley soil, plateau and mountainous soil (Fig. 2.5 ). Plain and valley soils consists of salty, gross texture alluvial soils and alluvial and rig soil, sandy dune and swampy soils. Variety of soils relate to location, climatic condition and mother stones. Plaines and valleys soil in study area is not suitable for the cultivation except valley of Zayandeh river. These soils cover 23 percent area in study region. Plain and valley soils appear in south, east and north-west in Naiin, Natanz, Golpayegan, Ardestan, south-west of Esfahan and Feridan districts in study region. Plateau valley soil appears in semi arid region in study area and it emerges due to hot and dry and mild and cool climate. Plateau soil can be classified into brown, sirozom, gray, red and salty. These kind of soils

28 Types of Soils

Legend Plain and Valley Soil Plateau Soil Mountainous Soil

0 160 km Density of Population

Legend

>200 100-200 50-100 25-50

Fig. 2.5

29 distributed throughout the study region in central part, south and south­ west parts in Esfahan province and on 51.5 percent area in study region.

Mountains soil has not only shallow nature but also ascent and step descent. This soil finds more erosive due to rapid winds hence mother stones are visible. The surface texture of this soil appears from light to heavy. Moreover, there are slope having sand granules and huge stone pieces that did not still disjointed by erosion in study area. This soil appear in Feridam, Golpyegan, Khonsar, Feraidonshahr, north of

Najafabad and Naiin districts in study area .

2.9 Population

Esfahan province has 3913255 population (1997 Census). The population growth increased from 1957 to 1997. The total population has increased to 2682051 persons during forty years. This indicates the positive growth of population in study region. However, population growth in Esfahan province has found less as compared to Iran and ranks fourth in Iran. (Table-2.5). Table-2.5 shows the population growth increased more than double from 1977 to 1987 (51.3 percent) and lowest growth rate has recorded only 18.7 percent having variation of 618339 persons.

This growth has attributed to natural growth rate of population and immigration of people for job opportunity from outsides.

30 Table-2.5 : Population Growth in Esfahan province Years Population Growth Rate Variations 1957 1231204 ~- — 1967 1577911 21.9 346707 1977 2176694 37.9 598783 1987 3294916 51.3 1118222 1997 3913255 18.7 618339 Source : Province Census Handbook, 1997 Note : Growth of Population rate is given in per cent

The study region has 36.9 persons per square kilometers population density. The spatial distribution of population density is shown in Fig. 2.5. It is observed from this table that the highest population density has recorded in central part in study region at Flavarjan and

Khomeynishahr districts have more than 200 persons population density followed 100 and 200 persons in Lenjan and Najafabad districts. These four districts appear into two patches one patch lies in central and another patch in west. Four districts in Esfahan province have density between 25 to 50 persons in study region. These are located in west, north, central, south parts in Golpayegan, Aran and Bidgol, Kashan and Shahreza districts. A patch of five districts in study region has found less than 25 persons density per square kilometer, in Semirom, Feraidon Shahr,

Ardestan Naiin and Natanz districts lying, south west and north parts in study area (Fig.2.5 ).

31 Table-2.6: Population Density in Esfahan province Districts Density Districts Density Ardestan 4.2 Flavarjan 657.7 Aran and Bigol 27.4 Kashan 34.3

Borkhar and Mimeh 30.0 Golpayegan 49.4 Esfahan 100.0 Lenjan 189.6 Khomynishahr 1385.4 Mobarakeh 164.1 Khon Sar 52.4 Naiin 1.6

Semirom 12.4 Najafabad 1.1

Shahreza 35.9 Nutanz 11.5

Feridan 68.6 Tiran and Koron 70.1

Feraidon Shahr 20.5 Average 156.7

Source : Province Census Handbook, 2000

Note : Density is in persons per square kilometers.

According to Census 1997 total number of population in Esfahan province is 3923255 among them 2001832 are male and 1921423 female accounting 6.43 percent of Iran country. The distribution of population is given in Table-2.7. Esfahan district has highest 1610015 population whereas Khonsar has found lowest population (36676 persons). 1007087 persons (25.6 percent) consists of dwellers are living in rural area and the rest population 244874 (74.4 percent) inhabitant in urban. Sex ratio a single term indicates the relative size of two members or the ratio between two members. Esfahan province has more male than female.

The ratio falls 100 female per 105 male. This shows glaring anomaly in demographic balance. This is higher than the country average 103. The descending order of sex ratio in study area is given in Table-2.8 Fig. 2.5.

32 Table-2.7: Distribution of Population in Esfahan Province Districts Urban Rural Total Percent Ardestan 25751 19399 45150 1.15 Esfahan 1398238 211745 1610015 41 BorkharS Mimeh 179776 41241 221017 5.6 Khomini Shar 209543 33943 243486 6.2 Khonsar 21966 14710 36676 0.9 Semirom 25404 40381 64918 1.7 Shahreza 106949 57340 164361 4.2 Feridan 32729 102524 136404 3.5 Feraidon Shahr 13592 30519 44117 1.1 Falavarjan 89.99 120689 209797 5.3 Kashan 262390 73395 335785 8.6 Golpaygan 47428 31942 79370 2 Lenjan 153710 53560 207270 5.3 Mobarakeh 65250 5441 119721 3 Naiin 32508 21467 53975 1.4 Najafabad 224634 87539 312173 8 Natanz 2677 12243 39020 1 Total 2914874 1007087 3923255 100.00 Source : Province Census Handbook, 1997

Table-2-8: Sex Ratio in Esfahan Province Districts Sex Ratio Districts Sex Ratio Ardestan 98 Kashan 102 Esfahan 107 Golpayegan 100 Borkhr and Mimeh 107 Lenjan 105 Khomeyhishabr 109 Aran and Bldgol 104 Khonsar 101 Mobarakeh 108 Semirom 97 Tiran and Koron 103 Shahreza 106 Naiin 95 Feridan 97 Najafabad 103 Feraidon Shahr 99 Natanz 103 Falavrjan 107 Total 105 Source : Province Census Handbook, 1997

33 Esfahan province occupies first rank for sex-ratio in country (109).

The height sex ratio has indentified in Khomeyh Shahr and Naiin districts.The sex ratio in twelve districts, namely, Ardestan, Khosar,

Semirom, Feridan, Feraidonshahr Kasha, Golpayegan, Aran and Bidgol,

Tiran and Koran, Naiin, Najafabad and Natanz are found below average of province. Age structure of population is one of the essential factors for social-economic activities specially for tourism field. Table-2.9 displays the age group of population in study region.

Table-2.9: Age Groups in Esfahan Province

Age Groups Population Per cent 0-5 372734 11 5-10 537952 13.7 10-15 470319 12 15-20 823392 21 20-65 1471072 37.5 Above 189868 4.8 3923255 — Source : Province Census Handbook, 1994

Less than 5 years age-group accounts for 11 per cent of total population while of 5-10 age-group has 13.7 percent and 10-15 years have 12 percent, then 15 to 19 age group ranked second in study area.

Age group between 20-64 has found with 37.5 percent. Above 64 age group has accounting only 4.8 percent of population in Esfahan province in 1997. The people of Esfahan province speak Persian but a few of them are using Turkish, Christian and Hebrew language. Esfahan province is dominance Islam religion. Few other religions such as Christians, Jewish and Zoroastrians do exist in study region as per Census, 1997. It is

34 revealed that 99.3 percent of people are muslim and only 0.7 percent is the followers of other religions. Among other religions 0.42 per cent are followers of other religions who have not declared their religion. It is a worth mentioning that most of minorities religions people live in Esfahan city and only less number of Christians live in Shahinshahr. The literacy in

Esfahan province shows positive due to social awareness among men and women. General trend of literacy in Esfahan province reveals increasing from 1987. It was 80.56 percent in 1992 and then increased to

84.68 percent in 1997. The high rate of literacy in study region is noticed in urban area. Rural area shows 62.43 literacy rate percent in 1977 and it increased to 78.07 percent in 1997 it is noted that there is improvement of literacy in rural area than urban in study area.

2.10 Vegetation

Vegetation cover is one of main factor for the development of tourism. This region has semi-arid and arid types of forest vegetation.

These kinds of forest have protected the plateau and provide many species of trees. The total area under forest about 1, 00,000 hectares accounting one percent of total geographical area. This vegetation can be classified into two groups, 'natural forest' and 'plant forest'. The extent of province natural forest covers 50,000 hectares area (5 percent) lying in

Feraidonshah district (220000 hectares) and Semirom district (15000 hectares). Forests are found in less per cent area in Ardestan, Kashan,

Naiin, Natanz, Shahreza districts.

35 2.11 Resume

Esfahan province has sound historical and industrial background resulted fast development in tourism and industrially. This province covers

107044.3 square kilometers. Physiographically, study region is divided two mountains regions in northwest and south of province and foot mountains area and desert part appeared in north, north-east and east in

Esfahan province. Alluvial and salty soils cover in this study region.

Esfahan province is divided into 19 districts consisting of 86 towns and

122 talukas. Esfahan province is characterized by semi-arid and arid climate receiving less than 140 millimeters annual rainfall. Most of the time sky is sunny. Zayandeh river is the only perinial river in study region and majority of people gets underground water for variety of uses. The vegetation cover in Esfahan province has found in mountainous part in west, northwest and south. Population has increased steadily from

1231204 to 3913255 during study period and average density in 1997 was 156.7 persons per square kilometer. 99.3 percent peoples are followers of Islam religion and rest are belonging to Christian, Jewish and

Zoroastrian religions. The main language of the people is persian. 82.5 percent people are literate in study area.

36