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INTRODUCTION
Formerly known as Persia, Iran lies between
Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf and is one of the biggest oil-producing regions in West Asia.
Climate of Iran
Owing to its varied landscape, Iran's climate is also subjected to various variations. While the Caspian coastal plain on the northern edge of the country remains humid through out the year due to an average elevation at or below sea level, the higher elevations areas towards the west experience lower temperatures. Winter temperatures rarely fall below zero degrees, and maximum summer temperatures rarely exceed 29°C. Annual rainfall averages 650 mm in the eastern part of the plain (Mazandaran Province) and more than 1,900 mm in the western part (Gilan Province)
Flora And Fauna of Iran
uprooted and replaced by cultivated crops or pastures. Natural forests consisting of beech, oak, other deciduous trees, and conifers grow in parts of the Elburz Mountains. Wild fruit trees, including almond, pear, pomegranate, and walnut, grow in both the Elburz and Zagros mountains. Tamarisk and other salt-tolerant bushes grow along the margins of the Dasht-e Kavir.
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of native mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects. Many species of mammals like wolves, foxes, bears, mountain goats, red mountain sheep, rabbits, and gerbils continue to inhabit the country. Apart from this, many endangered species like the Caspian tigers, Caspian seals, desert onagers, three species of deer, gazelles, and lynx survive in Iran. Coming to birds,
Physical Map of Iran
Iran is surrounded by mountains, out of which the Zagros mountains runs across the country for more than 1,600 km from northwest to southeast and covers almost the entire portion of western Iran. Many peaks of the Zagros exceed 12,000 ft in elevation; the highest is Zard Kuh which rises to 14,918 ft. Nearly all of Iran's numerous rivers are relatively short, shallow streams unsuitable for navigation. The country's only navigable river, the Karun, flows through the city of Ahvaz in the southwest. Most rivers rise in the mountainous regions and drain into the interior basins.
Location of Iran
Along the north, Iran is bound by Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea and Turkmenistan; on the west by Iraq and Turkey; on the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan; and on the south by the Gulf of Oman, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Persian Gulf.
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