Iran
Iran is a large country located in Western Asia and the Middle East, covering approximately 1.65 million square kilometers. It is bordered by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Turkey, and has coastlines along the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman. Iran's geography is highly diverse, consisting of rugged mountain ranges, high plateaus, fertile valleys, deserts, and coastal lowlands. The Zagros Mountains extend across the western part of the country, while the Alborz Mountains in the north contain Mount Damavand, the highest peak in Iran. Large desert regions, including the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut, occupy much of central and eastern Iran. The climate varies considerably, ranging from humid subtropical conditions along the Caspian coast to arid and semi-arid conditions across most of the interior. This geographical diversity has created a wide range of ecosystems and agricultural zones.
Agriculture has been a fundamental part of Iran’s economy and culture for thousands of years. Although only a limited proportion of the country’s land is cultivated because of water scarcity and difficult terrain, agriculture remains an important source of employment and food production. Farming is concentrated in fertile valleys, plains, and irrigated regions, particularly in the west, northwest, and along the Caspian coast. Major crops include wheat, barley, rice, maize, sugar beet, cotton, and various legumes. Iran is internationally renowned for the production of high-value crops such as pistachios, saffron, dates, pomegranates, grapes, figs, almonds, and walnuts. Rice cultivation is concentrated in the humid Caspian provinces, while date production is important in the southern regions. Traditional irrigation systems known as qanats have historically enabled agriculture in arid environments by transporting groundwater over long distances. Livestock production is also significant, with sheep, goats, cattle, camels, and poultry providing meat, milk, wool, and other products.
Forestry resources are primarily concentrated in northern and western Iran. The most valuable forests are the Hyrcanian forests along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, which are among the oldest temperate broadleaf forests in the world. These forests contain species such as oak, beech, maple, elm, and cypress and support rich biodiversity. Additional forested areas occur in the Zagros Mountains, where oak woodlands dominate, and in scattered regions of eastern and southern Iran. Forests provide timber, fuelwood, medicinal plants, grazing resources, and important ecological services, including soil conservation and watershed protection. However, deforestation, overgrazing, forest fires, urban expansion, and unsustainable land use practices have reduced forest cover in some regions. Consequently, reforestation programs, protected areas, and sustainable forest management initiatives have become important components of environmental policy.
The fishery sector is an important component of Iran’s natural-resource economy. The country benefits from access to the Caspian Sea in the north and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman in the south. The Caspian Sea is particularly famous for its sturgeon fisheries, which produce caviar, one of Iran’s most valuable fishery exports. Other important species include carp, whitefish, mullet, salmon, catfish, and perch. The southern marine waters support a rich diversity of fish and seafood, including tuna, shrimp, prawns, sardines, mackerel, and various reef-associated species. Both marine and inland fisheries contribute to food security, employment, and export earnings. Aquaculture has expanded in recent decades, particularly in fish and shrimp farming, to meet growing domestic demand and reduce pressure on wild fish stocks. Nevertheless, overfishing, water pollution, habitat degradation, and declining water resources pose significant challenges to the sustainability of the sector.
Overall, Iran’s geography is characterized by a remarkable diversity of mountains, deserts, forests, and coastal environments. These natural conditions support a wide range of agricultural, forestry, and fishery activities despite significant environmental constraints, particularly water scarcity. Sustainable management of water resources, forests, and aquatic ecosystems remains essential for ensuring long-term food security, economic development, and environmental resilience in the country.
In 2014 Gerold and Klaudi were invited to attend an organic conference (300 participants!) in Tehran. Spent a week in the country. Previously, the image was that Iran suffers under the embargo, all women are oppressed and it has an Arab-like society. It quickly became clear, however, that these expectations and reality differed more than ever before in any journey: a modern country, good infrastructure, women open and proud, despite headscarf (loose), lots of laughter, dancing, eating, talking. We were deeply impressed by the hospitality and the beauty of the country. We only got to know Teheran, Shiraz, Persiopolis and a valley region 200 km southeast of Shiraz. In 2016 Gerold was again in Iran for the second time, for 5 days in Tehran and Isfahan. There ISOFAR world board meeting and International Organic research conference. Was again very exciting, great country. Unfortunately without Klaudia.