The physical environment of Iran is seen not as an unmoving backcloth against which the human drama is played; rather it is seen as a natural element which shapes in distinct and recognisable ways the whole course of human activity in the country. Iran offers a picture of sharp identity as a geographical unit. In spite of highly varies and often harsh natural conditions at local level, a consistent and recognisable pattern of physiographical and climatic features emerges at the national level. Because of these features the Iranians as a people suffered many vicissitudes. The complex character of the relationship between terrain and people is the major theme of this volume.

List of plates
Volume editor's preface
Units of measurement
Part I. The Land: 1. Physical geography
2. Geology
3. Geomorphology
4. The origin of the Zagros defiles
5. Climate
6. Soils
7. Hydrography
8. Vegetation
9. Mammals
10. Zoogeographic analysis of the lizard fauna of Iran
11. Ornithology
Part II. The People: 12. Early man in Iran
13. Geography of settlement
14. Population
Part III. Economic Life: 15. Minerals
16. Industrial activities
17. Communications, transport, retail trade and service
18. Agriculture
19. Water use in north-east Iran
20. Pastoralism, Nomadism and the social anthropology of Iran
21. Land reform of Iran
Part IV. Conclusion: 22. The personality of Iran
Bibliography
Conversion tables
Index.