As one of the largest provinces of Iran, Kerman is an industrial, as well as historical province with numerous historical sites from pre- and post-Islamic eras. This province is located in the southeastern Iran and covers an area of around 180,000km2. It is bounded on the north by Yazd and Khorasan provinces, on the east by Sistan & Baluchestan, on the west by Far, and on the south by Hormuzgan province.

The central and western mountainous areas are cold in winter but mild in summer. The western and eastern deserts have long hot summers and short mild winters. The Lut Desert north of the province is significant in Kerman's climate.

The two mountain ranges stretch from northwest to southeast from the central mountains of Iran. The Kuhbanan, Jebal-e Barez and Shahsavaran mountains, and the mountains of Chehel Tan, Bid Khan, Davaran and Jupar are more significant.

The 4,100m Mt. Jupar lies to the southeast of the provincial capital. This scenic splendours of the mountain is rich in wildlife varieties and is in the vicinity of Mahan (a town with many attractions), which has given it great appeal for visitors.

The lowest elevation in Iran is Shahdad district, located in the northeast of Kerman province.

Most of the rivers of the province are seasonal. The largest permanent river is the Helil Roud, originating in the Baft mountains and flowing south-eastward to Jazmurian Marsh. "Qanat," a traditional irrigation system by which an underground mountain water source is tapped and the water channelled down through a series of tunnels to the earth surface, has been widely used for supplying some areas with water since a very distant past.

Sirjan region, located in the eastern Kerman, takes in a seasonal salt lake being of considerable attraction, and the Kavir-e Lut, an immense desert located in the northeast of the province, has its own appeal. The mineral springs of Abareq and Dah Sheykh, near the cities of Barn and Baft respectively, with suitable facilities for bathing, can be used for all the year.

The province mainly consists of steppes and semiarid plateaus covered by brown or chestnut-coloured soil that supports grassy vegetation. Thorny shrubs form the ground cover of the steppes. Tagh trees (belonging to the goosfoot family) and tamarisks also grow on these areas. Wild fruit trees such as Persian turpentine trees and almond are found in mountainous regions enjoying mild climate. Wildlife is rich in variety. Cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, wild boars, wolves, jackals, foxes, rabbits, gazelles, mouflon, ibex, and the Iranian wild ass which under threat of extinction, are among mammals living in the province. Wildlife sanctuaries have been established in Kerman, notable among them are the protected areas of Mahru'iyeh and Khabr-va-Ruchun.

The vast majority of the people living in Kerman are Muslims. Persian is the dominant language, spoken in Kermani dialect. Tribal life is also found in Kerman; the following tribes are of more importance: Ayineh, Shams ad-Dini and Afshar.

The cities of Kerman, Bam and Jiroft have airports capable of receiving jetliners. There are regular flights between Kerman and other provincial capitals of the country, which play a significant role in the transportation of passengers.

The railway system linking Kerman with Tehran and some other major cities has greatly contributed to the development of Kerman province. It is the main means of transportation for minerals. The recently completed railway between Bafq and Bandar Abbas contributes to the development of the province. Suitable asphalt roads link all cities and towns of Kerman with each other and with the neighbouring provinces.

Agriculture has been the main economic activity in Kerman from the distant past. The wide range of temperature fluctuation in different parts of the province makes it possible to cultivate diverse crops. The dates produced in Bam are of the highest quality. Pistachios, being the second important export of Iran, are mainly cultivated in Rafsanjan, Sirjan and Zarand. Caraway seed of Kerman is proverbial in Iran, because of its high quality.

Other crops include cereals, fruits such as figs, melons, grapes, citrus fruits and pomegranates, cotton, sugar beets and medicinal herbs.

Kerman is also rich in mineral resources such as coal, copper and iron ore. It enjoys the second largest copper mines throughout the world. Copper production and the industries related to copper established in Kerman have changed it into an industrial region. Coal industry supplies half of the coal demanded by the Ironworks of Isfahan. Kerman's other mineral resources are as follows: iron ore in Sirjan, chromium in Jiroft, zinc in Raft and Ravar, and lead scattered all over the province. The province takes in ten counties. The city of Kerman is the provincial capital, and the following are other counties: Raft, Rardsir, Ram, Jiroft, Rafsanjan, Zarand, Sirjan, Shahr Rabak and Kahnuj.

Kerman
The city of Kerman is located in the south-east of the country; just over a thousand kilometres from Tehran. The climate is temperate, although the amount of precipitation is comparatively low. Being a historical city, it was the national capital in different periods. There are a number of monuments dating back to the Sassanian era. The Ardeshir Castle and Dokhtar Castle are notable among them. In the Safavid period, the governor of Kerman, Ganj Ali Khan, built several notable buildings, most of which have survived the time and now are called the "Ganj Ali Khan Complex."

The old architecture of Kerman, the important features of which are high walls, narrow alleys and domed roofs is of considerable attraction.

The following are monuments being of more significance.

The Ganj Ali Khan Complex

Incorporating mosque, bath, bazaar, school, caravanserai, reservoir and a vast square, this complex is a triumph architecturally. The bath containing many statues representing different stages of taking bath in traditional fashion, is used as an anthropological museum. The tile-mosaic used in the complex is of considerable beauty.

Bazaar
Dating back to the distant past, the bazaar is about 3km long and is still a centre of trade in the city. It consists of a number of sections, each one called a bazaar itself. The following are notable among them:
Bazaar-e Vakil, Bazaar-e Ekhtiyari, Bazaar-e Mozaffari and Bazaar-e Mesgari (coppersmith). The bazaar includes monuments going back to the Safavid and Zand periods.

The Dome of Jabaliyeh
Dating back to the Seljuq period, it was built on the site of Zoroastrian fire-temples. It is an octagonal building roofed with a huge dome. Kerman contains many historical buildings, prominent among them are as follows:

Mozaffari Mosque (also called Grand Community Mosque), Imam (Malek) Mosque, School and Bath of Ebrahim Khan, Green Dome, Moshtaqiyeh Dome, Tomb of Atabak, Vakil Mosque, Chehel Sotun Mosque and the historical building of Moraelin Hospital.

Mahan
Mahan is a tiny impressive town, 42km northeast of Kerman, which is probably founded in the Sassanian period. Located on the slope of the mountains of Jupar, it enjoys a pleasant mild climate. Spectacular natural sights and the Mausoleum of Shah Ne'illatollah-e Vali, the renowned Iranian mystic and poet, make it a point of interest. The huge dome and lofty minarets covered with considerably impressive tile-mosaic afford a very pleasing sight to the building. The Garden of Shazdeh, containing an eye-catching building, old trees, streams and pools is indeed a sight to see. Suitable hotel accommodation is available in Mahan.

Bam
Bam is a beautiful city full of history and archaeological sites, 200km southeast of Kerman. Dates, citrus fruits and henna are the most important crops cultivated in Bam. Dating from 2000 years ago, it was on the silk route. The ruins of the ancient city of Bam, called Arg-e Bam, are of great attraction.

Arg-e Bam
It is on a hill in the vicinity of the city, being one of the world wonders covering an area of 6km2; it is the greatest mud-brick construction in the world. Surrounded by lofty walls and towers and a moat, it includes a great number of houses encircling the seat of the ruler which stands in the centre. Arg-e Bam is one of the most important tourist attractions in Iran.

A complex called new Arg-e Jadid (New Arg) has been recently built 8km east of the ancient Arg. Recreational facilities such as swimming pools sports fields and a manege on the one hand, and easy access to the airport of Ham and suitable hotel accommodation on the other, make it a point of great attraction for tourists.

Jiroft
It is 200km south of the provincial capital, Kerman, having a tropical climate. It is watered by the Helil Roud (River) and enjoys rich soil suitable for agriculture. As a city of great antiquity it contains a number of monuments, notable among them is the Tomb of Akhund in Kuhbanan.

Rafsanjan
This city is 127km west of Kerman. Agriculture is the main source of revenue, and cultivating pistachios is of greatest significance. The city is surrounded by pistachio gardens, the crops of which are of the greatest fame.
Sarcheshmeh, a region near the city, is the centre of Iran's copper production, contributing to the importance of Rafsanjan.

Sirjan
Being comparatively cold in winter and mild in summer, Sirjan is about 170km southwest of Kerman. It Date back to the Sassanian period, and contains a number of monuments, notable among them are as follows: Qal'eh Sang (stone castle), Firuz fire-temple and the Mausoleums of Imamzadeh Ahmad, Imamzadeh Ali and Mir Zobeyr . In recent years, it has been a special trade zone, due to which has made great economic and social progress.

Shahr Babak
The ancient city of Shahr Babak, the foundation of which is attributed to Ardashir I, a king of the Sassanian dynasty, is 250km west of Kerman. It has a semi-desert climate. Of the local sights the following are of more significance: Namak (salt) Lake, to the south of the city, is of considerable beauty in the seasons it is filled with water; the Edifice of Vali; Azar Bagh fire-temple; and the village of Meymand, of which stone buildings enjoy impressive architecture representing the peaceful coexistence of man and Nature.

Handicrafts & Souvenirs
The Kerman carpets are renowned for their elaborate border patterns, mute colours and high quality, are regarded as the best souvenirs of Kerman. Gelims (carpets made of goats' hair), Jajims (fine carpets made of wool or cotton) and Shawls are also among notable handicrafts. Furthermore, caraway seed, dates and citrus fruit cultivated in Kerman are of the highest quality.