Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Raziyeh Ghasabzadeh ¹
• abas sarafrazi ²

¹ PhD student in History, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Department of History, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Agriculture, as one of the principal means of livelihood in Iran—and particularly in the province of Kerman—has an inherent dependence on geographical factors. Land (soil), water, and climate are key geographical elements that influence crop type, planting season, yield volume, and other aspects of agricultural production. Located in the southern part of the Iranian Plateau, Kerman Province, with its unique geographical characteristics, has always been a site of deep interconnection between humans and geography.
The main question of this study addresses the role of geographical factors in the agricultural economy of Kerman Province between the 1st and 6th centuries A.H. To answer this, the research provides an overview of Kerman’s geography and examines the geographical factors affecting its agricultural economy—especially in its warm regions—using a descriptive–analytical method and relying on library sources.
Findings indicate that Kerman’s cold regions (mountainous areas), despite their elevations and abundant precipitation, produced less agricultural output due to their limited area and low population density. In contrast, Kerman’s warm regions (plains), owing to their greater expanse, fertile soils, and abundant water resources, held a superior position in generating wealth from agriculture. Key examples include much of the Jiroft region (especially the southern plains), the Bam region (eastern plains), Sirjan (western plains), and Narmashir—warm areas that, thanks to their fertile alluvial plains, rivers originating in cold mountainous areas, and utilization of qanat water, have consistently enjoyed more prosperous agriculture.

Keywords

• Kerman Province
• Agricultural economy
• Geographical factors
• Landforms
• Water resources