September 27 marked the World Tourism Day, and to honor the day we invite you to join us in an electronic tour of Iran with one province covered for you each day.
Today: Hormozgan Province
Hormozgan Province is one of the 31 provinces of Iran. It is 71,193 km2 (27,488 sq mi) in the South of the country, facing Oman and UAE.
Bandar Abbas is the capital of the province; Bandar Lengeh, HajiAbbad, Minab, Qeshm, Jask, Bastak, Bandar Khamir, Parsian, Rudan, and Abumusa are other cities of Hormozgan.
Hormozgan was a junction point of ancient land and sea Aryan trade routes and that its fame as an international trading port and traveler's destination continued into medieval times when world travelers such as Marco Polo (1254-1324) from Italy, Ibn Battuta (1304-c.1368) from Morocco and Zheng He (1371-1435) from China, made Hormuz their destination along their travels.
" Some of Hormozgan Islands in Persian Gulf
- Abumusa
This island a 12.8 km² island located in the eastern Persian Gulf, it is part of a six-island archipelago near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.
- Greater and Lesser Tunbs
Tonb-e Bozorg and Tonb-e Kuchak are two small islands in the eastern Persian Gulf, close to the Strait of Hormuz. They lie at 26°15?N 55°16?E and 26°14?N 55°08?E respectively, some 12 kilometers from each other and 20 kilometers south of the Iranian island of Qeshm.
- Hormuz Island
Hormuz Island has an area of 42 km2 (16 sq mi). It is covered by sedimentary rock and layers of volcanic material on its surface. The highest point of the island is about 186 meters above sea level. Due to a lack of precipitation, the soil and water are salty. Specialists have helped cultivar Hara trees to grow in the climate. Due to the lack of fresh water, Iranian engineers piped water from the mainland of Iran underground.
- Kish
Is a 91.5-square-kilometre (35.3 sq mi) resort island in the Persian Gulf. Due to its free trade zone status it is touted as a consumer's paradise, with numerous malls, shopping centers, tourist attractions, and resort hotels. It has an estimated population of 20,000 residents and about 1 million people visit the island annually.
Kish Island was ranked among the world's 10 most beautiful islands by The New York Times in 2010, and is the fourth most visited vacation destination in the Middle East.
Its center for cultured pearls and large aquariums are one of the attractions of this island. Besides which its strand offers scope for other leisure such as a round in a glass-bottom boat, water skiing and scuba diving (with the aid of a guide). Shopping arcades prove interesting places and so too other recreational areas.
- Qeshm Island
Qeshm Island is located a few kilometers off the southern coast of Iran (Persian Gulf), opposite the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Bandar Khamir. The island, which hosts a 300 square kilometer free zone jurisdiction, is 135 km long.
According to historical records, Qeshm Island has been famous as a trade and navigation center. Its economy flourished during the Dailamites and Buyid eras, as trade vessels sailed between it and China, India and Africa.
Its rocky coastal areas are favored by crabs and lobsters. Besides which, its forested vicinities such as Harrah (mangroves) Protected Area located between the north of the island and Bandar Khamir are wonderful sights to visit.
" Some Hormozgan Tribal Areas and Special Villages
Ancient villages are present in Hormozgan Province and these display spectacular features regarding the architecture and physical structure. Thereby these can be accounted for as interesting historical relics.
- Basaeidoo (Sinkoo) Village, Qeshm
This village is on the coastal area, and is one of the important and oldest villages in the township of Qeshm. It has a warm and dry climate. Due to the cape and suitable vegetation coverage, wild life and birds such as herons and gulls form an important part of the natural surroundings. The historical relics of this village are the charcoal reservoir, guest house or inn, cemetery, church etc.
- Laft Village, Qeshm
The architectural facets of the dwellings in this village display interesting points. The main feature here is the traditional air vents or ventilators in various sizes. The constructions or houses are built close together and the streets are extremely narrow too. Historical relics in Laft are the following: The Naderi and Portuguese castles, two water reservoirs having round domes, an historical cemetery, and the pilgrimage sites of Seyed Hassan Mansoor, Sheikh Moosa and Sheikh Andara'ie.
- Sooza Village, Bandar Abbas
This village is located 39 km to the south west of Qeshm city and is on the coastal area, and Hormuz Strait is to its south. It has a warm and dry climate. Historical vestiges near this village are the Leit or Khalesi Dam which lies 4 km. north west of the Dirastan Village. The Guran Dam is on the south of the Guran Village.
Handicrafts and Souvenirs of Hormozgan
The handicrafts of Hormozgan Province are as follows, earthenware pots known as 'hableh', textiles worked with laced gold or silver braids known as 'golabatoon', bedding sheets, rugs, carpets, woven baskets and mats, and handicrafts made of shells.
Local and Regional Foods of Hormozgan
In the cities and rural areas of Hormozgan Province, a variety of dishes are prepared. Sea food such as fish and shrimps are popular and there is an array to select from.
" Tourist attraction
Kolah Farangi Pavilion
This pavilion is a relic of the Safavid era and is located in the vicinity of the ancient pier in the Taleqani Blvd. of Bandar Abbas. This edifice has an imprint of European architecture and because of that it has been named Kolah Frangi which means foreign hat or cap.
Hindus Temple
The above mentioned temple was constructed in the year 1310 AH., during the rule of Mohammad Hassan Khan Sa'ad-ol-Molk. The temple comprises of a square room in the center of which is a jagged shaped dome. The architecture of this structure is very similar to that of the Indian temples.
Lateidan Bridge
The same has been constructed at a distance of 50 km west of Bandar Abbas on the Kal (Kool) River. It is a relic of the Safavid era. Currently 33 arches remain to be seen of this bridge.
Anthropological Museum
The Anthropological Museum of Bandar Abbas is located in the ancient Hindu temple of this city. Here former remnants of the former civilizations of the coastal and surrounding islands are on display. Besides which relics such as ancient articles that were in use, local apparel and implements utilized in the past for handicrafts can be noted in this museum. Old coins and relics discovered in the 'Soroo' hillock are also on display here.
Mehran River
This river takes its source in the southern portion of the Haft Chen Mountains, 15 km. north east of Bandar Alaviyeh. The river flows from west to east, and to the east of Bandar Lengeh seeps into the sands. The same re-appears and in the vicinity of Khuran flows into the Persian Gulf.
Mitra Temple
Within a distance of 15 km. from the city of Qeshm, en route from the ancient vicinity of Kharbez to Bandar Sooza, there is a lengthy mountain range. In the heart of these mountains are wonderful rocky effects of architecture. Access to this area can be gained by openings which are similar to caves. Behind these openings is a space with an area of 25 sq. m and with an elevation of 2.7 m (that has been dug out). This space or hall was most probably used for special religious rituals for the deceased or was used for the worship of 'Izad Mehr' or 'Mitra'. The same is a remnant from the Medes.
Khamir Castle, Bandar Khamir
This castle is located near Bandar Khamir and the entrance of the same is a spectacular construction of stone and gypsum, and has been built according to European architecture. In the four corners there are four circular towers, a short tower has also been built between every other circular towers. This relic dates back to approximately a century.
Portuguese Castle
This castle was built in the year 1030 AH to the north east of this island under the decree of the Spanish monarch of the times. The same has two ramparts and towers in the four corners. Within the castle a number of extremely ancient and rusty canons remain to date.
Genoo Thermal Spring
This spring is situated at a distance of 34 km northeast of Bandar Abbas and alongside the Bandar Abbas-Sirjan Road. The water from this spring which is calcium sulfuric in nature is used for irrigating the palm groves or plantations and also for bathing purposes. The spring is equipped with two segregated pools for ladies and gents.
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