Fritillaria Imperialis – Iran Phytogeography
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There are various plant species in Iran due to having vast area and different climatic conditions. Geophytographically, Iran is divided into three huge vegetative regions including Europe- Siberia, Irani- Toorani and Sahara- Sind. Besides, it is geographically divided into four regions of Khazari (Caspian), Zagros, Irani- Toorani and the shore of Persian Gulf.

Khazari Region

it includes the plain lands of the coasts of Caspian Sea and some mountainous parts of Alborz which is covered with large-leaf jungles and mountainous meadows. Being away from the frost period, here you can see the species which no longer exist in other countries from among them it can be pointed out to Quercus Castaneifolia, Parrotia Persica, Populus Caspica, Gledistcha Capsica and Taxus Baccata. There is a unique and intersting species in this region which is called Lilium ledebouri, it is grown very limitedly in Rudbar region and is under protection, it has been registered nationally as well.

Avicennia marina (Harra Forest) – Iran Phytogeography
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Zagros Region

this region is known with its oak forests. It is covered with snow during the winter because of having cold weather conditions. The main plants of this region are Quercus Brantii, Fraxinus Rotundifolia, Acer Monspessulanum and Crataeguas Spp. But the most gorgeous plant of this region which annually attracts many tourists is called Fritillaria Imperialis. The main feature of this plant is the short time of its flowering.

Irani- Toorani Region

it is divided into two parts in terms of height: the plain part which is from mountains of Khorasan to Zagros Mountain and then reaches Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. The vegetation of this region is Artemisia. The mountainous part of the region includes the southern slopes of Alborz, the eastern hillside of Zagros and the mountains of Iranian Plateau. The commonest species are Onobrychis, Acanthophyllum, Astragalus, Calligonum Persicum, Ungernia Flava, Berberia Khorasanica and Pteropryum Aucheri.

The Shore of Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

it includes the coastal parts of south of Iran and is covered with date palm, Acacia and Jujube and Avicennia marina (Harra Forest). The vegetation in northern parts of Persian Gulf shore and Oman Sea is variable. In the parts with the highest raining amount, Medicago, Gramineae and Leguminocae are grown and around Oman Sea, Nannorhops, Acacia Ehrenbergian, Rhzya Dtricta, Prosopis Cineraria and T.stricta are mostly seen. One of the most famous plants of this region is Zhumeria which is in danger of extinction because of wasteful harvest, this plant has numerous medicinal and therapeutic properties.

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It contains 13 counties with Bandar Abbas as its center and different ethnic groups who mostly speak Farsi (with Bandari dialect) and Arabic (in some regions). In terms of climate, Hormozgan province is generally one of the hot and dry regions of Iran, while its coastal strip is specifically hot and humid in summer.

n ancient times, some tribes lived on the western coasts of the Persian Gulf and southwestern plains of Iran. According to the archeological evidence, sailing was prevailing in the region at that time, for example, when the land of Babylonians was occupied through sailing in the Persian Gulf in the 7th century B.C. The earliest historical sources indicating sailing in the Persian Gulf date back to the time of Nearchus or Neerak (360-330 B.C.), one of the admirals of Macedonia. In the aftermath of the invasion of Arab to Iran, the Persian Gulf coasts came under the rule of Umayyad (661-750) and Abbasid (750-1258) caliphates, respectively.

Marco Polo, a famous Italian merchant globetrotter visited the port of Hormuz, about which he noted that jewels of Iran, tusk, and silk of India and China and the Bahraini pearl were traded at this port. Afonso de Albuquerque surrounded the Hormuz Island with seven warships in the seventh year of Shah Isma’il Safavid reign. During the reign of Shah Abbas Safavid, Imam-Quli Khan, the governor of Fars and Qeshm, recaptured Hormuz and the southern ports from Portuguese.

Later, Shah Abbas formed an alliance with Britain and completely eradicated the Portuguese’s influence from the Persian Gulf, leading to the substitution of “Bandar Abbas” for Gamrun as the name of the port. In the First World War, coincided with the late Qajar dynasty (1796-1925), important events happened in the Persian Gulf region and coast which increased the power of Britain there.

Hormozgan weather is mild in fall and winter, providing the best opportunity to attract tourists to the region from different parts of the country. A part of the exquisite attractions of the province includes beautiful beaches, free-trade zones, Qeshm Portuguese Castle, Greek Ship, traditional water reservoirs in the Kish Island, Naaz islands, Mangrove forests, the Stars Valley at Qeshm Island, and dolphins of Hengam Island. It should be noted that UNESCO World Geoparks Network registered Qeshm Geopark in April 2016.

The prevailing handicrafts of the province are basket and mat weaving, Golabatoon-Doozi (a form of embroidery), Chadorshab-Doozi, Badeleh-Doozi (a form of embroidery), Khos-Doozi (a form of embroidery), rope making, Shak-Bafi (a form of embroidery), Ur-Bafi (a form of embroidery), Garegor-Bafi (a form of the fishing net), Burqa-Sazi (a form of face cover), Lachak-Sazi (a form of head cover), backrest cover, Zar-Doozi (embroidery with gold), and Kaman-Doozi (a form of embroidery).

The most common eatable souvenirs of the province include a variety of dates, marine handicrafts, fish and shrimp, sea shellfish, and aquarium fish. Most of Hormozgan’s native foods are made of a mixture of fish and various aquatic species such as shrimp and lobster, along with dates, rice, and spices. Of the most famous local foods, we mention to Cutlet of fish, Qaliye-Mahi (fish stew), Hawari Mahi (rice and fish), Katogh Shur of Onion, Havari Margieh, Hawri-Chekomig (rice and shrimp), Ancas (Squid), Disho Rice, Meloc (Long shell), Kufteh-Mahi of Moumeq, and Cingo dish.

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