Iran petrochemical industry dates back to 1963. The first petrochemical complex to produce fertilizer kicked off then. The first major petrochemical operation in Iran was the Shiraz Petrochemical Complex. Iran has a diversified petroleum product basket with more than 70 products. The main exports are polyethylene, methanol, benzene, ammonia, sulfur, PVC and propylene.

Iran Petrochemical Industry Output to Hit $25bln by 2021

“Iran’s petrochemical production capacity would cross 100 mt/y by 2021,” Minister Zangeneh said, addressing the opening ceremony of the 13th Iran Plast International Exhibition on 23 September 2019.
He noted that the petrochemical production capacity of the country would reach 130 mt/y by 2025 valued at $37 billion.
“Iran’s ethane production capacity would reach 16 million tons per year by 2021 from 4.2 mt/y back in 2013. The items’ current production capacity is 7.3 mt/y,” Zangeneh added.
The Iranian oil minister noted that 27 projects would come on stream in the country by 2021.
In relevant remarks on Sunday, Head of the National Petrochemical Company of Iran Behzad Mohammadi announced that his country will inaugurate 27 new petrochemical complexes by early 2022.
Mohammadi said that Iran would increase the number of its petrochemical complexes to 83, from the current 56, by early 2022, adding that both production and the feed used for those complexes would significantly diversify in the coming years.
He added that the Iran had extensive plans for expansion of refining and petrochemical activity, adding that government and private investment in the sector would top 70 billion in the next two years.
Mohammadi noted that the size of investment in downstream sections of the oil and gas industry, where petrochemicals are produced and marketed, would reach $93 billion by 2025
He said the proportion of gas to liquefied feed burnt in the refineries would change from the current 77-23 to 86-14 by 2025, mainly thanks to plans for collecting flared gas at oil and gas facilities.
The official said Iran had invested around half a billion dollars in research and development for manufacturing catalysts used in the refining process, adding that 16 groups of high-tech devices needed in the industry were currently produced inside Iran and a group of nine others were expected to be covered by the domestic production by 2022.
Mohammadi estimated that jobs created in Iran’s petrochemical sector, including those on the supply chain, was around one million, adding that around 880,000 people were currently working in 15,000 enterprises active in the industry’s downstream section.
Mohammadi had said that the petrochemical industry of Iran has focused on domestic manufacturers and contractors in implementing its projects.
“The National Petrochemical Company (NPC) is seeking to ensure the maximized involvement of domestic manufacturers and contractors in petrochemical projects,” he said.
He noted that the petrochemical industry has currently received about 33 million tons of feedstock, equivalent to 650,000 barrels of oil per day, which was supplied from oil and gas refineries and NGL units.
“About 56 petrochemical plants of the country yielded 31 million tons of finished products annually, of which 22.5 million tons were exported and 8.5 million tons were consumed domestically,” Mohammadi said.
The total value of petrochemical products from domestic sales and exports has hit $17 billion annually.

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A great part of commercial exchanges around the world is carried out by ships. Ports are connections between production and distribution networks that have turned coastal cities like Bushehr into places with economic and strategic dynamics.

By Shahriar Azimi & Parvin Ebrahimi - 2018, PressTv

The port of Bushehr is located in 28,58 N and 50, 50 E in the north end of a peninsula on the coast of the Persian Gulf. This peninsula is 14 Km long. The depth of water is near to 7m in the external anchorage leading to internal anchorage by the external channel 9200m in length and from the internal anchorage to Khor Soltani, Bushehr berth and then to Khor Booder by the internal channel 3900m in length. The channel is 140m in average width.
Climate in Bushehr Port

Climate in Bushehr Port
Bushehr port has got a semi-tropical climate with very hot and humid Summer and temperate Winter. The seasonal South Western winds blow on Bushehr sea from the beginning of June to the end of October but they rarely reach the harbor. The seasonal North Eastern winds blow on Bushehr sea and sometimes very strongly on the land from the end of December to the beginning of May.
The power of North Wind usually reaches to 6 in Beaufort scale, but it may rarely border on 8.
The average power of Wind in Winter is 4 in Beaufort scale
The temperature range during summer is +35 to +40 degrees centigrade, whereas it mat border on +2 degrees centigrade in Winter.
The humidity range during Winter is %40 to %80 and %30 to %99 in Summer.

TIDAL RANGE
The ebb and tide in Bushehr port is diurnal. The tidal range differs from 1 m to 1.6 m.
The highest tide may reach to 2 m and the lowest ebb may border on .7 m. The speed of water current in the internal channel and Khore Soltani may reach to 2-3 knots in ebb and flow conditions
The maximum height of the wave in the external anchorage is almost 1.5 m and .6 in the internal anchorage. Services

ROAD SERVICES

The port of Bushehr is connected to neighboring cities via 4 important routes:

• Bushehr – Khormooj – Kangan – Lengeh – Bandar Abbas extended 920 Km in length.
• Bushehr – Borazjan – Shiraz extended 290 Km in length.
• Bushehr – Borazjan – Yasooj – Isfahan.
• Bushehr – Genaveh – Deylam – Mahshahr – Abadan extended 690 Km in length.

It is worth mentioning that Bushehr – Borazjan route is a highway

AIRPORT

The port of Bushehr is one of the most accessible ports of the country to airport with only 5 Km distance. The international airport of Bushehr is provided with domestic flights to Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashad, Kish, Kharg and international flights to Dubi and Jaddeh.

SHIP BUILDING FACTORIES

These factories, located near the port, are capable of repairing vessels of any kind up to 2500 tons onshore and building offshore constructs. Iran -Sadra Company has up to now built some huge oil platforms belonged to Southern Pars Area.

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Most attention is paid to the Lightworld, which teaches that in the world above the supreme First Life lives and the true home lies above in the light. The supreme First Life is also known as the King of Greatness or the King of Light.

Historical Background
Mandaeans are also known as Sabian (in the Qur`an) and Subbi/Sobbi (in Arabic). Iranian Mandaeans speak Persian (Farsi) in addition to a localized Arabic dialect similar to the Arabic spoken in the southern region of Iraq.

Early scholars of the 1920s (M.J. Lagrange, R. Bultmann, Dane V. Schou-Pedersen, E. Yamauchi) debate the origin of Mandaeans, proposing them to be Jewish baptizing sects, Christian, or Babylonian – all in the Jordan area. More recently, Jacobsen Buckley argues that “…a consensus, based on linguistic and historical research, puts Mandaeism back into its original, “heretical” Jewish baptist milieu.” This argument is based on the linguist specialists’ argument based on the language used in their religious texts and the time and religious environment of John’s gospel. Jorunn Jacobsen Buckley firmly believes that Mandaeism never had a Christian stage. Popular legends describe Mandaean migrations. Buckley states that Mandaeans moved from their homeland under the protection of Ardban the Parthian King in the first century of CE, perhaps during the time of Ardban III.

Currently, Mandaeans live next to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Iraq as well as the Karoon River in the southern region of Iran (Khozestan), in the cities of Khorramshahr, Abadan, Ahvaz, Shushtar, Dezful, Shush, Chogha Zambil, and Howeizeh.

Mandaean Religious Beliefs
The religion is mostly classified with Gnosticism with certain elements such as yarna (running water), Kushta (truth), and Manda (knowledge) are directly connected to the religion’s Western origins. Mandaeans believe in Yahya, which is the prophet, John the Baptist. “Early on, the religion clearly experiences more or less hostile contacts with various forms of Christianity and becomes acquainted with Babylonian remnants, Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, and other religions.” These influences and contacts with various religions that existed at the time of the Mandaean migration to Iranian regions are evident through direct borrowing of Manichaean hymns that are translated from Mandaean poetry. They believe that Miriai (Mary, mother of Jesus) becomes pregnant by witchcraft or by another man who is not her husband. The Jewess Miriai is
a Mandaean. Mandaeans believe that they are former Jews, and the language in the Talmud is the language of Babylonia that is very close to classical Mandaic (the language of Mandaeans). Miriai is a heroine but her son Jesus deviated from the truth and his Mandaean heritage. Mandaeans also believe that the punishment of the Jews is deserved.
The Mandaean holy book is called Ginza (treasure). It is separated into a right (Ginza Right/GR), and a left (Ginza Left/ GL).

GR contains materials, mostly in poetic style, related to the soul’s ascent to the Lightworld. GR is believed to be the oldest surviving text. When turning the Ginza upside down, one can read the GL, which deals with the fate of the soul when the body dies. Among other matters (such as the destiny of the soul, prayers), it contains the story of the first man who died, Adam’s son Sitil. The Mandaean story of creation has three different levels: the upper, Lightworld which is heavenly known as alama d-nhura or the world of light, a middle world which is the earthly world of human inhabitants known as Tibil, and the third world that is the dark and gloomy underworld. Most attention is paid to the Lightworld, which teaches that in the world above the supreme First Life lives and the true home lies above in the light. The supreme First Life is also known as the King of Greatness or the King of Light. Mandaean scripture describes two models of creation of the world: the first is an emanation model of creation and the second model is based upon the opposing poles of the Lightworld and the Darkworld. Buckley states that “…the emanation model is by far the most common, and the sheer mass of variations in the creation mythology makes it impossible to appoint one[,] specific version as ‘the original.’” Inhabitants of the Lightworld are known as utras (angels, guardians), who were involved in creation of the dark and light worlds and they continue to look after the earthly and Lightworld and keep in touch with Mandaeans of earth. The Lightworld sent prayers and all forms of rituals by the forces of light to be taught to the Mandaeans. Thus, the human world and the rituals and prayers connect the Lightworld. Therefore, the Mandaean must be concerned about how to live his life in Tibil, the earth, and how to die in order to receive a proper ascent to the Lightworld. The rituals connected with the Mandaean religion are complex and time consuming and a number of them cannot be performed by a lay person and require the assistance of a priest.

Status of Mandaeans in Iran
Mandaeans enjoyed protection by the kings during the later part of the Iranian Dynasty of Ashkanian, who ruled from 248 B.C.E. until their overthrow by the Sassanid Dynasty in C.E. 224). However, during the reign of the Sasanid ruler Bahram I in 273 C.E., religious persecutions were carried out regularly. Mani is executed in the early stages of Bahram I rule. The Zoroastrian high priest Karter suppressed followers of other religions such as Mandaeans, Manichaeans, Christians, Jews, Hindus, and Buddhists. “During these dangerous years, one might surmise a consolidation of Mandaean literature in an attempt to rescue and codify the religion.” At the early stages of the Islamic expansion, Mandaeans showed the Muslim authorities their holy book Ginza and proclaimed that John the Baptist was their prophet. This was crucial for Mandaeans to receive protection by their Muslim rulers, because they were aware that a holy book and a prophet are essential to gain the status of “People of the Book” (ahl al Kitab). In addition, Mandaeans cite the Qur`an for their existence in the holy scripture of Muslims. They are mentioned by the name of Sabians (II: 62, and V:72):

Those who believe (in the Qur`an),
And those who follow the Jewish (scriptures),
And the Christians and the Sabians ,
Any who believe in God
And the Last Day,
And work righteousness,
Shall have their reward.

Mandaeans enjoyed prosperity and freedom to practice their religion. Many scribal activities and collections of Mandaean texts exist at this time (mid 7th CE).
Mandaeans’ status as people of the book came into question throughout their history living in Iran. For example, Mandaeans under Qajar rule in the 1780s experienced difficulties by the Shah’s local representatives by throwing them into wells where they drowned. In addition to loss of lives due to cruelty of the local authorities, later in 1830 half of the inhabitants of the city lost their lives to the great cholera epidemic known as the Plague of Shushtar.

The most recent wars and crises in Iran and Iraq have caused migrations of large numbers of Mandaeans from both Iran and Iraq to the Western world. The Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988) as well the Gulf War of 1991 are responsible for a large population of Mandaeans dispersion around the world.

Varying statistics about Mandaean numbers range from 15,000-100,000 with the largest population still living in Iraq. Claiming religious persecution, non-recognition of their religion by the government of Iran, discrimination and exclusion from the normal protections of the law, a significant number of Iranian Mandaeans have fled to Australia.

Religious persecution in Iran, based on measured assessments, is on record by Amnesty International, including the following: in Iran all religious minorities, including Christians and Jews, suffer varying degrees of persecution, vis a vis the Shi’ite Muslim majority. The State, for example, does not permit non-Muslims to engage in government employment or to attend the university. And there are restrictions on the extent to which they can fully practice their religion, such as, for example, teaching it publicly. If injured or killed, Mandaeans or their dependents receive less compensation than would the Muslim majority, and they may suffer in assessments of their credibility as witnesses before Iranian courts. In recent years, Mandaeans who worked in any business requiring direct contact with food (such as cooking or baking or selling food items) have lost their jobs because they are viewed as “unclean” people. The discrimination against Mandaeans has increased since the start of Islamic Republic (1978).

Iran Today, An Encyclopedia of Life in the Islamic Republic. Greenwood Press, 2008
Prepared by:
Faegheh Shirazi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Middle Eastern Studies
Islamic Studies Program
The University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station, F1500
Austin, TX. 78745.
fshirazi@uts.cc.utexas.edu

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The 21st century’s longest total lunar eclipse was observed in Iran’s Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid in Persian), the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (ca. 550–330 BC), located 60 km northeast of the southern city of Shiraz.

The 21st century’s longest total lunar eclipse was observed in Iran’s Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid in Persian), the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire (ca. 550–330 BC), located 60 km northeast of the southern city of Shiraz.

Persepolis (Takhte Jamshid)

Persepolis (Old Persian: ‘Parseh’, New Persian:Takht-e Jamshid’) was an ancient ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire. The largest and most complex building in Persepolis was the audience hall, or Apadana with 72 columns. Persepolis is situated some 70 km northeast of the modern city of Shiraz in the Fars Province of Iran (Persia).

In contemporary Persian language the site is known as Takht-e Jamshid (Throne of Jamshid) and Parseh. To the ancient Persians, the city was known as Parsa, meaning The City of Persians, Persepolis being the Greek interpretation of the name Περσες (meaning Persian)+ πόλις (meaning city).

The first westerner to visit Persepolis was Antonio de Gouveia from Portugal who wrote about cuneiform inscriptions following his visit in 1602. His first written report on Persia, the “Jornada”, was published in 1606. The first scientific excavation at Persepolis was carried out by Ernst Herzfeld in 1931, commissioned by the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. He believed the reason behind the construction of Persepolis was the need for a majestic atmosphere, as a symbol for their empire and to celebrate special events, especially the “Nowruz”, (the Persian New Year held on 21 March). For historical reasons and deep rooted interests it was built on the birthplace of the Achaemenid dynasty, although this was not the centre of their Empire at that time.

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Azerbaijan, Russia, Iran and India started testing the North-South Transport Corridor as part of a sports car rally.

The event is organized jointly by the Federation of Freight Forwarders of India and the sports club ‘Kalinga Motor’, said Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, reported Trend News Agency.

Iranian entities organizing the race are the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Road Facilities, the Federation of Motorcycles and Vehicles and the Customs Board of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The 30-day rally will cover the route from extending from Shiraz, Isfahan, Tehran, Qazvin, Rasht to Astara port on Iranian territory and onward to Moscow and St. Petersburg and back again to finish in Chabahar.

Twenty trucks are participating in the competitions, one from Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan, while the rest will belong to the Indian teams. Around 39 participants are taking part in the competition.

The North-South transport corridor is designed to connect Northern Europe with India and Southeast Asia. The route will also link the railways of Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia.

In the initial stage, six million tons of cargo are planned to be transported through the corridor per year and the figure will eventually rise to 15-20 million tons.

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The Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz, famous for its stained glass windows, is one of the tourists attractions of Iran’s historic city of Shiraz which is frequently visited by domestic and foreigner visitors.

Masjed-e Nasir Al Molk
One of the most elegant and most photographed pieces of architecture in southern Iran, the Pink Mosque was built at the end of the 19th century and its coloured tiling (an unusually deep shade of blue) is exquisite. There are some particularly fine muqarnas in the small outer portal and in the northern iwan, but it is the stained glass, carved pillars and polychrome faience of the winter prayer hall that dazzle the eye when the sun streams in.

The mosque attracts most visitors early in the morning (9am to 11am is best) when the hall and its Persian carpets are illuminated with a kaleidoscope of patterned flecks of light. It makes for a magical experience – and an irresistible photograph.

A museum in the opposite prayer hall opens into the Gav Cha (Cow Well), where cows were used to raise water from the underground qanat. The structure has survived numerous earthquakes, due in part to its construction using flexible wood as struts within the walls – look for the wooden bricks in the iwan columns. The rose-pink floral tiles are a signature feature of Shiraz./ Lonely Planet

Time-Lapse: Shiraz – Religious Sites

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As Christians around the world celebrate Christmas, the holiday season is also observed in Iran. Iranians go to shops and buy Christmas gift and accessories in Tehran.

Decorated trees, along with Nativity scenes of the Virgin Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, can also be seen in shops along Mirza Shirazi Avenue and Ostaad Nejatollahi (Villa Avenue) and its surrounding neighborhoods in central Tehran, where many Iranian Christians reside.
Some Iranian Christians celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25 and New Years’ on Jan. 1, while Armenians celebrate Christmas at the same time as the Epiphany on Jan. 6.

Despite being a minority, Iran’s Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians are recognized as established religious minorities and are represented in parliament, and also enjoy freedom to practice their religions and perform their religious rituals.
Unlike other countries in the region where public celebration of Christmas is limited to hotels frequented by foreigners, there is no such restriction in Tehran. The sale of Christmas ornaments, which during the first years of the Islamic Revolution was limited to Christian districts, can now be seen around town.

In fact, festive Christmas decoration and celebration take place throughout the country, specifically in major cities such as Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz and even religious cities such as Mashhad.

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Two Qashqai couples, comprising two brothers and two sisters, held their traditional wedding ceremony on the sidelines of the ninth edition of Pars Tourism Exhibition underway in Shiraz.

Nomads Tour in Iran

There are about one and a half million nomads in Iran, extending from the border of Turkmanistan to the warm waters of the Persian Gulf. Most of these tribes, the Kurds, the Lurs, the Bakhtiaris, the Guilaks (on the Caspian Coast) and the Baluchis are the original invaders who, in the first millennium BC, swept down from Central Asia and settled in various parts of the Iranian Plateau. Most of the tribes in central Iran are from pure Aryan stock, while other tribes such as the Arabs of Khuzestan and Khorassan, the Turkish tribes of Quchan, the Qashqai tribes, the Shahsevan and Afshar tribes of Azerbaijan and the Turkmens are remnants of races that have passed through Iran at various periods of history.

Traditionally, there has always existed a close link in Iran between the ruling dynasty and the domination of one particular tribe or ethnic group./ More

QASHQAI PEOPLE: MEETING THE AUTHENTIC IRANIAN NOMADS
Iran has with one of the biggest nomad populations of any country. And not only this, but these Iranian nomads are also classified into different sub-groups, according to their ethnicity, origin and even language. Around Shiraz, there’s one group of nomads called Qashqai. Originally, they came from Turkey but, even though Turkish is their first language, most of them speak fluent Persian as well. Like most Iranians, they are Shia Muslims.

Qashqai people, also known as Ghashghaei, are one of the Iranian nomadic tribes that keep on moving across the Zagros Mountains. In winter they live in the southern part but, as soon as the summer comes and the heat starts to become unbearable, they start moving north. Their flocks of sheep and goats are their main source of income. From these animals, they get meat, cheese, and milk. They also sell the newborns at the markets of Shiraz.

Qashqai people: meeting the authentic Iranian nomads

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Pontia Fallahi: When most people think about travel in Iran, they think of Shiraz and Isfahan, the big brothers of Iranian history and civilization. Few think of Iran as an island destination when, in fact, there are two major islands: Kish and Qeshm. Both islands are free-trade zones, and foreign tourists require no visa for up to 14 days. These islands are not your ‘typical’ islands in the sense that you should not expect palm tree-lined beaches and bikini-clad women, but they are rich in terms of ecotourism and geotourism.

Qeshm, the largest, dolphin-shaped Persian Gulf island has a plethora of natural attractions, from pristine islands to forests, valleys to caves, and all the wildlife and cultural heritage in between. The Culture Trip explores the top ten things to do and see on Qeshm Island.

Naz Island

Naz Island is situated on the southern coast of Qeshm. At low tide, you can stroll on the soft sand full of colorful seashells and coral. During the ebb, this stretch of land is also the preferred spot for cars and trucks to race. Once high tide rolls in, however, it is hard to imagine that all of this was completely dry just a few hours earlier. The high and low tides of Naz Island were made famous by the popular Iranian TV series, Paytakht, in an episode in which a family, unaware of this phenomenon, parks their car out on the island during the low tide and gets stuck, their car and belongings slowly becoming flooded by the waters of the high tide.

Hara Forest

Located just behind Qeshm’s northern ‘fin,’ this forest is an 8,000-hectare biosphere reserve of mangroves, or hara as they are known locally. The mangroves, roots, and sludgy beds surface during the low tide, but this forest disappears during the high tide. The mangroves are rooted in the salt water of the Persian Gulf, but the filtration system of the bark extracts the salt, allowing sweet water to reach the leaves. This forest is mainly used for fishing, tourist boats, and a small amount of leaf-cutting for livestock feed. Sea turtles, crabs, shrimp, snakes, herons, cranes, and pelicans are among the animals that call this forest home.

Dolphins

Located south of Qeshm is Hengam Island, where the tourist boats stop to see the dolphins play in the early morning. There is also a variety of tropical fish and stingrays in the natural ‘aquarium’ of the Persian Gulf. Gazelles inhabit the island, and it is said that they obtain fresh water by pressing their hooves into the ground. Hengam Island itself is full of fascinating rock formations and glistening black sand sprinkled over beige sand.

Hengam Island, Qeshm, Iran

Valley of the Stars

Locals believe that a star once fell on this area thereby creating the rocky shapes that make it seem as if from another planet. In fact, it is the result of years of erosion by heavy precipitation. The valley is composed of marl and sandstone, and the rock formations vary from tall pillars, creating canyon-like paths, to hollowed-out spaces and smooth, round stones. With a little imagination, the eye can make out the shapes of faces, hands, animals, and even the map of Iran. A short hike to the top and you can see the layered mountain rock embedded with seashells. Local legend has it that the Valley of the Stars is full of ruh [spirits].

Bandar Laft

Bandar Laft is situated on Qeshm’s ‘fin’ next to Hara Forest. Even though Yazd is most often thought of as the city of badgir (windcatchers), an ancient Persian architectural structure used to create natural ventilation, a glance at the panoramic skyline of this historical port is proof of a rivalry. Few abanbar (ancient water reservoirs) also exist and are still used by locals today. This fishing town is also home to the Talla Wells, which store clean water and were created by cutting holes into layers of stone. Though in the past the number of wells was equal to the number of days in a leap year, it has dwindled to less than 100, each one with a unique name.

Lenj Shipyard

Close to Bandar Laft is a ship-building yard. Lenj, as they are known locally, are mainly used for fishing. Upon entering, you will notice lenj in different stages of building, from those in the beginning phases that are reminiscent of Noah’s Ark to those setting out into the water on their maiden voyage.

Namakdan Salt Cave

At 6,850 meters long, Namakdan, literally salt shaker, is the longest cave in the world. Situated in the southwestern part of the island, the cave is a result of sea water accumulating in the faults. The long corridors lead to the breathtaking dome decorated with white, salty chandeliers and stalactites.

Khorbas Cave

Overlooking the Persian Gulf, Khorbas Cave is part natural, part man-made. The caves are connected from the inside by a series of tunnels said to have been carved out by ancient Iranians. It is said that this cave may have been used as a look-out system to warn against impending attacks.

Chahkooh Pass

The striking natural beauty of Chahkooh, literally mountain of wells, has been named as such because of the wells at the beginning of the pass. The pass starts out wide but becomes more narrow, the walls nearly touching at some parts. Similar to the Valley of the Stars, Chahkooh is the result of erosion from rainwater on sedimentary stone.

Portuguese Fortress

This fortress was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century when they seized Qeshm in a strategic effort to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz. The fortress was used for over a century, and today, four watchtowers, a number of cannons, and two cisterns still exist.

Portuguese Fortress, Hormuz, Qeshm, Iran

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One of Iran’s traditional invention is a method for distilling the essence of herbs and flowers.The art has been taught from one generation to the next. The distilled essence of rose in called Golab.
The best Golab is produced in Shiraz ,Kashan and Oromiyeh cities. The people of Kashan have special costume.

The photo shows rose farm and workshop in Qamsar near Kashan.

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