Iran covers an area of 1,648,000 square kilometers in South-Western Asia. Although this immense country enjoys different pleasant climates, its most parts have four distinct seasons. Snow-clad mountains, Luxuriant forests, deserts with mysterious beauty, fascinating coasts, numerous historical monuments and delicate handicrafts as well as warm-hearted and hospitable people are all in its 26 provinces.

Fars province has been a significant center of the Persian culture and civilization. During some important Iranian dynasties, including the Achaemenids, Fars was the capital of Iran. Considering numerous historical monuments, Fars is an exponent of the Iranian art and history. Some of the greatest Iranian poets and philosophers are from Fars. The identity of this province and the whole country is so much merged that Iran was once known as Pars (Persia).

Located in Southern Iran and covering an area of 133000 sq km, Fars is surrounded by Yazd and Isfahan from North, Kohkiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad from West, Hormozgan and Bushir from South, and Kerman from East.

Climate of Fars is complex, ranging from cold in the mountainous regions to warm in the Southern and Eastern areas.
Cities of Sepidan and Nurabad are located in the mountainous regions. In the cities of Shiraz, Kazeroun, Fasa and Firouzabad weather is mild, while Lar, Khonj and Evaz have hot dry summers.

Zagros range stretches from the North-West to the South-East. In North and North-West of the province, there are lofty mountains like Barm Firouz and Azamat.
The famous defile of Koli Kosh is in this mountain. Mountains near Shiraz are Sabz Poushan, Bamu, Tudaj and Kharman.

The most important river is Karkheh, originating in the Northern mountains, passing by the city of Marvdasht and emptying into Lake Bakhtegan.
This river, across which the large dam of Derudzan has been built and irrigates many areas and creates spectacular views. Dam is suitable for water sports.

Other rivers of Fars, most of which flows into the Persian Gulf are: Qara Aqaj, Shapour, Dalki, Firouzabad and Fahlian. Waterfall of Margun in the westernmost of Fars is very high, attracting large numbers of people.

There are three impressive lakes in Fars; Bakhtegan (Neiriz), Parishan (Famour) and Maharlu. Lake Bakhtegan in the Eastern Fars is linked with a smaller lake called Teshk. Teshk is a shallow lake and is located in Neiriz. Bakhtegan is the habitat of some species of migratory birds. Parishan, situated in the South-East of Kazeroun, is a centre for fishing and fish farming. There are recreational facilities on the lake. Maharlu located 18 km East of Shiraz has salt-water from which salt is obtained.

In mountainous regions, there are impressive caves; the most important of which are: Tadevan cave, located 120 km East of Shiraz on the road of Jahrom-Shiraz. This cave, where a lot of bats live, is one of the largest caves in Iran. Heidar Beig, in which there is a well, is located in Beiza.

Shafaq cave, located 140 km East of Shiraz, Shah Qandab cave, 45 km away from Abadeh, and Kan Gohar cave 36 Km away from Surian in Abadeh are caves having stalactites and stalagmites. Shapour cave, 30 Km from Kazeroun, in which there is a pool is a point of interest. A statue of Shapour 1, a king of the Sassanid dynasty, with a height of 7 meters is in front of the cave.

Vegetation of the province is rich in variety, including goat's thorn, acanthus, milfoil, oak, almond and fig trees. The forested areas are the stretches of forests of Zagros.

Wildlife includes ibex, gazelle, mouflon, deer, wild boar, fox and jackal. Birds found in Fars are partridge, pheasant, eagle, and some species of migratory birds. National park of Bamu, in the Northern Shiraz, covering an area of 40000 ha, abounds with deer. Wildlife sanctuary of Arjan, established in the West of Shiraz, includes forests and many springs. A rare variety of Iranian deer lives in this area. Bahram Gur, Harmad and Bakhtegan are other wildlife santuaries.

Ruling dynasty of Persian was settled in Fars by Achaemenids. From then, Fars has been a major center of Iranian culture and civilization. “Farsi” (Persian) is the language, which is predominantly spoken. The religion of the majority of the people is Islam. The religious minorities are Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians. One of the biggest Iranian tribes, called “Qashqai” lives in Fars.

All cities of the Province are linked with each other and with the neighboring provinces by asphalt all-weather roads. International airport of Shiraz connecting Shiraz with many cities in Iran and abroad plays an important role in transportation of both passengers and goods. Cities of Lar and Lamard, also, have airports, linking them with Shiraz and Tehran. Shiraz is on the main road from Tehran to the Southern Iran.

Agriculture is of great importance in Fars. The major products include cereals (wheat and barley), citrus fruit, date, sugar beet and cotton.
Some of Fars' industries are petrochemical industry, an oil refinery, a factory for producing tires, electronics industry, and a sugar mill.

Fars province consists of 15 cities. Shiraz is the provincial capital (world-famous as a historical city) and the others are: Abadeh, Estahban, Eqlid, Jahrom, Darab, Sepidan, Fasa, Firouzabad, Kazeroun, Lar, Lamard, Marvdasht, Mamasani and Neiriz.

"Darvazeh Shiraz"
Entrance of Shiraz