Iran's Lake Urmia has shriveled because of water mismanagement. Researchers blame water overuse and inefficiency in agriculture, new dams and irrigation projects, a bridge cutting across the lake, declining rainfall and rising temperatures for much of the drying out.
The main cause for the drying up of the lake is drought caused by climate change impacting the inflow to the lake – resulting in a 65% reduction in water levels. Increased diversion for irrigated agriculture, the building of dams and reduced rainfall over the lake's surface, are also named as contributing factors.
Once one of the world's largest salt lakes, and still the country's largest lake, Urmia is now barely a tenth of its former size. As the waters recede, extensive salt marshes are left exposed to the wind. These storms are getting saltier and are now happening more often – even in the cold and rainy seasons of the year.
Urmia Lake National Park is the home of an almost endemic crustacean species known as the brine shrimp, Artemia urmiana. Other forms of life include several species of algae, bacteria, microfungi, plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.
The city is the trading center for a fertile agricultural region where fruits (especially apples and grapes) and tobacco are grown. Even though the majority of the residents of Urmia are Muslims, the Christian history of Urmia is well preserved and is especially evident in the city's many churches and cathedrals.
Maharloo Lake (Persian: ?????? ??????) is a seasonal salt lake in the highlands of the area of Shiraz, Iran. By mid-summer and due to high evaporation rates and salt concentrations, the lake water turns pinkish red as a result of the red tide within the lake.
Iran's forests are part of Iran's natural resources. Most of the country's forests are located in the northern regions, on the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. These forests have a temperate humid climate and are extended from the east of Ardabil province to North Khorasan province.
What is the capital of Iran?
Iran has a variable climate. In the northwest, winters are cold with heavy snowfall and subfreezing temperatures. Spring and fall are relatively mild, while summers are dry and hot. In the south, winters are mild and the summers are very hot, having average daily temperatures in July exceeding 38 °C (100.4 °F).
Basin Facts
| River | Shatt al Arab River | Karkheh River Basin |
|---|
| Basin Area Shares | -- | Iran, Iraq |
| Basin Area | -- | 51,110 km2 |
| River Length | 192 km | 964 km |
| Mean Annual Flow Volume | -- | 5.8 BCM |
Its main ridges overlook the southern slopes and Tehran plain, and forms small drainage basins. The rivers flowing in these basins are the life veins of the city.
Oil and natural gas are Iran's most important exports, accounting for 82 percent of the country's export revenues. Other exports include chemicals, plastics, fruits, ceramic products and metals. Iran's main exports partners are: China (21 percent of total exports), Japan (9.2 percent) and Turkey (9 percent).
The Geography of AfghanistanMajor Bodies of Water: Afghanistan is a landlocked and fairly dry country. Major rivers include Kabul River, Amu Darya, Harirud River, and the Helmand River.
Iran also borders three bodies of water: the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Caspian Sea. Iran's topography is very mountainous. The main mountain chain is the Zagros Mountains along its western side with peaks over 3,000 meters (9,843 feett) above sea level.
Sunni and Shi'i are the two largest branches of Islam, with the overwhelming majority of Iranians practicing Shi'i Islam. About 90 percent of Iranians practice Shi'ism, the official religion of Iran.
Kavir National Park: Iran's little Africa.
Iran is bounded to the north by Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, and the Caspian Sea, to the east by Pakistan and Afghanistan, to the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and to the west by Turkey and Iraq.
The country's name was changed from Persia to Iran in 1935. Iran is bordered on the north by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and the Caspian Sea; on the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan; on the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman; and on the west by Turkey and Iraq.
