Iran Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Iran?

Geography - note

strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport

Climate

mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast

Iran Use of Natural Resources

Iran Environment

Climate:

mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast

Terrain:

rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts

Natural Resources:

petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur

Natural Hazards:

periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes

Irrigated Land:

33,591 Square Miles
87,000 Square Kilometers

Environmental Issues:

air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization

Environment - International Agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation

Iran Geography

Geographic Location	Middle East
Total Area	636,368 Square Miles 1,648,195 Square Kilometers
Land Area	591,349 Square Miles 1,531,595 Square Kilometers
Water Area	45,019 Square Miles 116,600 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries	3,380 Miles 5,440 Kilometers
Irrigated Land	33,591 Square Miles 87,000 Square Kilometers
Border Countries	Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km
Coastline	1,516 Miles 2,440 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates	32 00 N, 53 00 E
Terrain	rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts
Highest Point	5,671 Meters
Highest Point Location	Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m
Lowest Point	-28 Meters
Lowest Point Location	Caspian Sea -28 m
Natural Resources	petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur
Time Zone	UTC+3.5 (8.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC)
Daylight saving time	does not observe daylight savings time

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