Sirjan (Persian: سيرجان; [siːɾˈdʒɒːn])[a] is a city in the Central District of Sirjan County, Kerman province, in the south of Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.[4] The city is 960 km (600 mi) from the Iranian capital of Tehran, and 175 km (109 mi) from the provincial capital of Kerman. It is known for its pistachios, Kilim and its wind towers, locally known as Bādgir-e Chopoqi (calumet louver).[citation needed]
Etymology
The first name of Sirjan was Sirgan or Samangan. For the sake of the Arabs, the change was made in its pronunciation. Afterwards, it became Sirjan.[citation needed]
Demographics
Population
At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 167,014 in 40,605 households.[5] The following census in 2011 counted 185,623 people in 51,088 households.[6] The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 199,704 people in 58,756 households.[2]
Climate
At 1,730 metres (5,680 ft), it is situated in a depression between the southern Zagros Mountains to the west and the Kuh-e Bidkhan massif to the east.
Once containing extensive and thick forests, at present the total area of counties forests which are scattered throughout the region in a natural reserved area is around 4,500 hectares (11,000 acres) containing trees and shrubs such as turpentines, conifers and dwarf maples amongst many others.
Culture
Sirjan is a historic city with culture. There are historical and cultural monuments in the city of Sirjan.[citation needed]
Sirjan has several of the largest companies within its 100 km (62 mi) radius. Gole Gohar Iron Ore Mine is the countries' largest with estimated $2.8 billion valuation. PolyTech of Sirjan Co., with over 400 employees, is the largest domestic manufacturer in the city's Industrial Town.
Gold Iran under license from LG is also a major player in the city with 1,200 employees and a location in the Special Economic Zone. LG assembles most of its Iranian market digital products in this location.
Sirjan University of Technology is a non-profit public higher education institution that was established in 1992. This university, which was established by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of Iran, offers courses and programs that lead to obtaining official degrees from higher education. Sirjan University of Technology also provides many university and non-university facilities and services including library and administrative services to students.[8]
This city was established in the Sasanian era and has several mineral sources including coal, iron, copper, stone and gold.
Today the city is witnessing great economic growth mainly due to its industrial sector as well as its key location in the heart of southern Iran. With established strategic roads for domestic supply of goods as well as great access to Bandar E Abbas for exportation of goods.
Sirjan Petrochemical Co. is currently gathering its second round of investments in order to establish the first Petrochemical Facility in the Kerman Province.
Mereekh Market (Part of Mereekh Food Ind. Group) plans to develop the first multi-store shopping center in the city's downtown area. The estimated project is reported to cost $20M.
Special Economic Zone, Industrial Town #1, and Industrial Town #2 continue to grow its factory base.
^Sirjan can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3085890" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
