Bandar Abbas

From Free net encyclopedia

Image:Bandarabbas-hindu.jpg Bandar Abbas or Bandar-e 'Abbas (in Persian: بندر عباس) is a port city on the southern coast of Iran (Persia), on the Persian Gulf.

It functions as the capital of the Hormozgan province. The city occupies a strategic position on the narrow Straits of Hormuz. It had an estimated population of 352,173 in 2005. [1] Its Coordinates are: Template:Coor dm

In the 16th century, the Portuguese established a presence in the region. They fortified the town and called it Gamru, employing it as a mainland port. The city received its name after Abbas I (the Great, shah of Persia from 1588 to 1629) took it in 1615. After he defeated the Portuguese in a naval battle off Hormuz with help from the British navy, he developed the town into a major port.

Bandar Abbas serves as a major shipping point for mostly imports, and has a long history of trade with India. Thousands of tourists visit the city and near islands including Qeshm and Hormuz every year.

[edit]