Zagros

The Zagros Mountains are the largest mountain range in Iran and Iraq. With a total length of 1,500 km (932 mi), from northwestern Iran, and roughly correlating with Iran's western border, the Zagros range spans the whole length of the western and southwestern Iranian plateau and ends at the Straits of Hormuz. The highest points in the Zagros Mountains are Zard Kuh (4,548m) and Mt. Dena (4,359m). The Hazaran massif in the Kerman province forms an eastern outlier of the range, the Jebal Barez reaching into Sistan.

Etymology
The name Zagros is derived from the Zagarthians/Sagarthians—an Iranian people who once inhabited the mountains, from the shores of Lake Van to the coasts of Makran. Other explanations deriving the name from Greek Zagreus, meaning stormy, or the name Za-G'R' meaning 'great mountain' in the Avestan language, are invalid.

Type and age of rock
The mountains are divided into many parallel sub-ranges (up to 10, or 250 km wide), and have the same age as the Alps. Iran's main oilfields lie in the western central foothills of the Zagros mountain range. The southern ranges of the Fars Province have somewhat lower summits, reaching 4000 metres. They contain some limestone rocks showing abundant marine fossils.
The Kuhrud Mountains form one of the parallel ranges at a distance of approx. 300 km to the east. The area between these two impressive mountain chains is home to a dense human population that lives in the intermediate valleys which are quite high in altitude with a temperate climate. Their rivers, which eventually reach salt lakes, create fertile environments for agriculture and commerce.

Back to About Iran

Back to Home