Bam (Persian: بم)[3] is a city in the Central District of Bam County, Kerman province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.[4]
Bam
Persian: بم | |
|---|---|
City | |
))_-_panoramio.jpg) Bam in 2013 | |
  Bam | |
| Coordinates: 29°05′58″N 58°20′37″E / 29.09944°N 58.34361°E[1] | |
| Country | Iran |
| Province | Kerman |
| County | Bam |
| District | Central |
| Elevation | 1,061 m (3,481 ft) |
| Population (2016)[2] | |
| • Urban | 127,396 |
| Time zone | UTC+3:30 (IRST) |
| Official name | Bam and its Cultural Landscape |
| Criteria | Cultural: ii, iii, iv, v |
| Reference | 1208 |
| Inscription | 2004 (28th Session) |
| Endangered | 2004–2013 |
The modern Iranian city of Bam surrounds the Bam citadel. Before the 2003 earthquake, the official population count of the city was roughly 43,000.[5] There are various opinions about the date and reasons for the foundation of the citadel. Economically and commercially, Bam occupied a very important place in the region and was famous for its textiles and clothes. Ibn Hawqal (943–977), an Arab traveller and geographer, wrote of Bam in his book Surat-ul-'Ard (The Earth-figure):
History
editPre-modern history
editThe ancient citadel of Arg-e Bam has a history dating to around 2,000 years ago, to the Parthian Empire (248 BC–224 AD), but most buildings were built during the Safavid dynasty.[6] This citadel was a great tourist attraction for tourists and has been registered as a world heritage site in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The city was largely abandoned due to an Afghan invasion led by Mahmud Hotak in 1722. Subsequently, after the city had gradually been re-settled, it was abandoned a second time due to an attack by invaders from Shiraz. It was also used for a time as an army barracks.
Modern history
editThe modern city of Bam has gradually developed as an agricultural and industrial centre, and until the 2003 earthquake was experiencing rapid growth. In particular, the city is known for its dates and citrus fruit, irrigated by a substantial network of qanats.
One of the most important agricultural products is Bam Mozafati date, which is famous in Iran and other countries. Mozafati Bam dates with a delicate and rich taste, with a sweet melt and an amazing taste are harvested every year in Darbam in the mountainous region of Iran. No preservatives or chemical additives are added to it. It is a fresh, natural, raw and quality product.[7]
The city also benefited from tourism, with an increasing number of people visiting the ancient citadel in recent years.
The earthquake destroyed or seriously damaged much of the city and killed a large part of the population. Since then, Bam has been in recovery.
2003 earthquake
edit
The 2003 Bam earthquake struck Bam and the surrounding Kerman province of south-eastern Iran at 01:56 UTC (5:26 AM Iran Standard Time) on 26 December 2003. The most widely accepted estimate for the magnitude of the earthquake is 6.6 on the moment magnitude scale (Mw); estimated by the United States Geological Survey. The earthquake was particularly destructive, with the death toll amounting to 26,271 people and injuring an additional 30,000. The effects of the earthquake and damage was exacerbated by the fact that the city chiefly consisted of mud brick buildings, many of which did not comply with earthquake regulations set in Iran in 1989, and that most of the city's people were indoors and asleep at the time the main tremor struck.
Due to the earthquake, relations between the United States and Iran thawed. Following the earthquake the U.S. offered direct humanitarian assistance to Iran and in return the state promised to comply with an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency which supports greater monitoring of its nuclear interests. In total a reported 44 countries sent in personnel to assist in relief operations and 60 countries offered assistance and support.
Post-2003 development
editImmediately following the 2003 earthquake, the Iranian government began to plan a new city based on population control theories in order to eliminate problems that existed with the old city. The development of the plan took at least six months and resulted in significant complaints against the central government and local government by the Bam earthquake survivors.[8] Nevertheless, government in Tehran continued its plans and currently the city is being rebuilt. The citadel is also being rebuilt with specialist care from the Ministry of Culture and from Japanese universities. The earthquake was an extreme tragedy and stunted the growth of Bam as a city, especially as about half of the city's residents were killed and most of the remainder hurt.[9] Costs of the earthquake mounted to between $700 million and $1 billion U.S. dollars.
2007 Sandstorm
editOn 16 March 2007 a 130 km/h (81 mph) sandstorm hit the city of Bam without warning, suffocating three children, killing two in car accidents, and injuring 14 others.[10][11]
Demographics
editPopulation
editAt the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 73,823 in 19,572 households.[12] The following census in 2011 counted 107,131 people in 29,433 households.[13] The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 127,396 people in 39,043 households.[2]
Climate
editBam has a desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh) with long, hot summers and mild, short winters. The average annual rainfall is around 60 mm.
| Climate data for Bam 1067m (1956–2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 30.0 (86.0) |
33.2 (91.8) |
39.0 (102.2) |
39.6 (103.3) |
44.6 (112.3) |
47.6 (117.7) |
46.8 (116.2) |
47.4 (117.3) |
43.6 (110.5) |
40.0 (104.0) |
36.6 (97.9) |
32.0 (89.6) |
47.6 (117.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 16.5 (61.7) |
19.7 (67.5) |
24.7 (76.5) |
30.2 (86.4) |
35.3 (95.5) |
39.2 (102.6) |
39.6 (103.3) |
38.2 (100.8) |
35.4 (95.7) |
30.6 (87.1) |
23.8 (74.8) |
18.4 (65.1) |
29.3 (84.7) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 10.7 (51.3) |
13.6 (56.5) |
18.5 (65.3) |
23.8 (74.8) |
28.8 (83.8) |
32.8 (91.0) |
33.6 (92.5) |
32.0 (89.6) |
28.9 (84.0) |
24.0 (75.2) |
17.5 (63.5) |
12.4 (54.3) |
23.0 (73.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 4.8 (40.6) |
7.6 (45.7) |
12.3 (54.1) |
17.4 (63.3) |
22.4 (72.3) |
26.4 (79.5) |
27.6 (81.7) |
25.8 (78.4) |
22.3 (72.1) |
17.4 (63.3) |
11.2 (52.2) |
6.4 (43.5) |
16.8 (62.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −9.0 (15.8) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
4.0 (39.2) |
9.5 (49.1) |
18.0 (64.4) |
19.0 (66.2) |
15.0 (59.0) |
11.0 (51.8) |
6.0 (42.8) |
−2.0 (28.4) |
−7.0 (19.4) |
−9.0 (15.8) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 12.0 (0.47) |
8.9 (0.35) |
12.2 (0.48) |
9.7 (0.38) |
5.5 (0.22) |
0.6 (0.02) |
0.9 (0.04) |
0.6 (0.02) |
0.2 (0.01) |
0.9 (0.04) |
2.2 (0.09) |
5.1 (0.20) |
58.8 (2.31) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 2.1 | 1.8 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 12.7 |
| Average snowy days | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.7 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 46 | 41 | 36 | 31 | 26 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 27 | 34 | 42 | 30 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 234.1 | 223.8 | 239.5 | 258.3 | 311.2 | 331.4 | 338.4 | 336.8 | 306.6 | 296.8 | 260.4 | 240.2 | 3,377.5 |
| Source: Iran Meteorological Organization (records),[14] (temperatures),[15] (precipitation),[16] (humidity),[17] (days with precipitation),[18] | |||||||||||||
Universities
editBam University
editBam University is a prestigious academic institution that offers undergraduate courses in this university.[21]
Bam University of Medical Sciences
editBam Medical University is one of the most important universities in this city.[22]
Islamic Azad University, Bam branch
editIslamic Azad University Bam branch, is considered one of the most prestigious universities in Bam.[23]
See also
edit
Media related to Bam, Iran at Wikimedia Commons
Bam travel guide from Wikivoyage
References
edit- ^ OpenStreetMap contributors (26 June 2023). "Bam, Bam County" (Map). OpenStreetMap (in Persian). Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 08. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ Bam, Iran can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3055036" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
- ^ Habibi, Hassan (21 June 1369). "Approval of the organization and chain of citizenship of the elements and units of the national divisions of Kerman province, centered in the city of Kerman". Lamtakam (in Persian). Ministry of Interior, Defense Political Commission of the Government Council. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ Moszynski, P. (2004). "Cold is the main health threat after the Bam earthquake". The BMJ. 328 (7431): 66. doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7431.66-a. PMC 314070. PMID 14715583. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
- ^ "Bam Citadel". irannegintravel.com. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ "About Bam Mazafati dates". G.S.S. AlAmir. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Hamshahri Newspaper". Hamshahrionline.ir. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
- ^ "Iran, Iranian, Nuclear, political, Natural, Sports, Cultural, economic, SocialAndOccations news and headlines". Mehr News Agency. Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2010.
- ^ "5 Killed in Bam Sandstorm". Irib Persian News Page through The Internet Archive. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
- ^ "40854: Bam (Iran)". ogimet.com. OGIMET. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006)". AMAR (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 08. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ "Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011)". Syracuse University (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. p. 08. Archived from the original (Excel) on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
- ^ *"Highest record temperature in Bam by Month 1956–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- "Lowest record temperature in Bam by Month 1956–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- "40854: Bam (Iran)". ogimet.com. OGIMET. 28 March 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
- ^ *"Average Maximum temperature in Bam by Month 1956–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- "Average Mean Daily temperature in Bam by Month 1951–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- "Average Minimum temperature in Bam by Month 1956–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ^ "Monthly Total Precipitation in Bam by Month 1956–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ^ "Average relative humidity in Bam by Month 1956–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ^ "No. Of days with precipitation equal to or greater than 1 mm in Bam by Month 1956–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ^ "No. Of days with snow in Bam by Month 1956–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ^ "Monthly total sunshine hours in Bam by Month 1956–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ^ YouScholars (15 June 2022). "Bam University profile and admissions information in Iran". YouScholars, Inc. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ "دانشگاه علوم پزشکی و خدمات بهداشتی درمانی بم". mubam.ac.ir. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ "Islamic Azad University of Bam".
External links
edit
- Travel magazine story on Bam as a tourist destination
- Newspaper item: "The Lost Beauty that was Bam"
- BBC story: "Bam: Jewel of Iranian heritage"
- Population figures from World-Gazetteer.com
- Digital Silk Roads Project – Citadel of Bam. Photos and movies
- To Bam & back by Asghar Riahi
2003 earthquake
edit- BBC news report
- CNN news report
- CNN report on rescue efforts
- IRINNews.org "Special on Bam three months on"
- IRINNews.org "Tehran lowers Bam earthquake toll"
- ICOMOS Heritage at Risk 2004/2005: The Bam Earthquake
- UNESCO World Heritage in Danger 2004 – Iran: Glimmers of hope in Bam
Earthquake reconstruction
edit- Reconstruction efforts in quake-devastated Bam continue two years on Archived 5 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- Bam: Five Years After Archived 30 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- Arg-e Bam – The BAM Citadel – Film Documentary:
- Arg e Bam Movie Documentary – The BAM Citadel