Nickname: Land of the Epic Legends
Capital
Zahedan
Population
~2.78 million
Iran's remote southeastern corner borders Pakistan and Afghanistan, its landscape running from wind-carved desert formations to the mangrove creeks of Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman. Baluch culture here, from embroidered dress to fishing dhows, is distinct from the rest of the country.
Culture & people
Home to the Baluch people and language, with a culture shaped by trade routes into Pakistan and Afghanistan and a distinct embroidery and textile tradition.
Notable cities
Zahedan
The provincial capital, a frontier city near the Pakistani and Afghan borders with a distinct Baluchi character. It functions mainly as a transit hub rather than a sightseeing destination.
Chabahar
Iran's only oceanic port, on the Gulf of Oman, known for the Martian-like rock formations of Chabahar's "Mars Valley." Its beaches and mangrove forests are unlike anywhere else in the country.
Zabol
Zabol is the historic heart of Iran's Sistan region and is celebrated as the legendary homeland of Rustam, the heroic champion of the Shahnameh. It is also home to Shahr-e Sukhteh (Burnt City), a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves the remarkable remains of one of the world's earliest urban civilizations.
Highlights
- Chabahar's mangrove forests and coastal hills
- Zahak Castle and the ruins of Zabol's ancient Sistan basin
- Kuh-e Khwaja, a Sassanid-era fire temple mountain
- Beris and Ramin fishing villages on the Gulf of Oman
Best time to visit
Cool season from November to March suits the desert and coast alike; the 120-day summer wind makes central Sistan uncomfortable and best avoided.
Getting there
Zahedan and Chabahar both have airports with connections from Tehran; this province is typically added as an extension for travellers already in Kerman.
The province's location, highlighted on the map of Iran.
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