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 Compared
to other ports along the Persian and the Sea of Oman, modern Abbas
is the and the most equipped port that occupies a strategic position
of the greatest importance. In summer it gets sizzling hot and very
humid here, but it's pleasant enough to visit in winter.
In the 16th century, the Portuguese took possession of the Isle of
Hormoz in order In orther to use the latter as an outpost for the
protection of their Indian Empire. They were expelled in 1622 after
a tough naval battle, by Shah Abbas the Great who founded the town
that continues to bear his name ever since (it was called Gambro or
Gambrun until then, which was the name of a type of abundantly found
small crustacean around the town).
Following the downfall of Safavid dynasty and the Afghan invasion of
Iran, Nadir Shah became the king of Iran. He expelled the Afghans
from Iran and, among other things, constructed a shipbuilding
industry and the corresponding port facilities at Bushehr, as the
result of which the fame of Bandar Abbas eclipsed and the town began
to fall into ruin.
 Revival
of Bandar Abbas took place only recently. Its all-round development
has been the result of social, commercial, military, political, and
tourism imperatives. Close to the Arab world and, through the Sea of
Oman, open to the oceans of Asia, Bandar Abbas is serving Iran as
its most natural maritime outlet at present.
The port stretches out along along and narrow coastal strip. The
main east-west thoroughfare changes its name from Shahid Beheshti
Blvd to Imam Khomeini Street and then to Passdaran Blvd. The main
docks (Shahid Bahunar) are in the west of town, the airport and bus
station to the east and the main road out of Bandar Abbas in all
directions extends eastwards from Shahid Beheshti Blvd.
A considerable part of the local population lives on the proceeds of
its fishing activities. Partly employing the traditional net, most
of them are using modern methods of preservation and transport which
has led to a rapid extension of Iranian fisheries industry
Industrial fishing is carried out in the Sea of Oman and the Indian
Ocean. Agriculture goes on with two annual harvests: early out of
season garden products, fruits, dates, and citrus.
 During
the last two decades, the well-to-do citizens of the capital, as
well as some northerners coming, for example, from Tabriz and Mash
had, hit on the bright idea of indulging in winter holidays under
the southern sun. At that time of year the climate is astonishingly
mild at Bandar Abbas. The great damp heat does not start before May
and becomes unbearable only between June and September. The wide
beaches are covered with silky sand, cleansed by fairly ample tides.
The gentle slope provides a safe playground for children. The newly
constructed hotels offer gardens, swimming pools and playing fields.
Considering the climatic conditions of the region, which are harmful
to historical monuments (in many ways similar to the Caspian Coastal
region), the antique monuments are restricted to an old Green Mosque
in the district of Nowshahr a disaffected Hindu Temple with its
characteristic, conical roofs; the Pilgrimage to Khezr known as
Khajeh Khezr, in the western part of the town; and a Kolah
Farangi mansion from the Safavid period.
 With
the exception of the rich regional museum, the most attractive
natural points are to be found in the surroundings: mineral water in
Genau, the new Kuh-e Genau Wildlife park, and the great agricultural
town of Minab. Motor boats are available for round trips to the
islands.
An interesting local tradition which will be seen in Bandar Abbas
and many other coastal towns of Hormozgan Province, are the
borqa's or the "masks" worn by some women, which are fairly
hideous, semi- rigid contraptions surrounding eyes and cheek-bones
and covering the nose. The Iranians believe that no religious taboo
explains the wearing of these masks: rather it is a fashion which
originates from the period of Portuguese occupation when ladies
wished to walk about unrecognized or simply to protect their face
from the scorching sun.
ADDRESSES AND
TELEPHONE I I NUMBERS:
ACCESS AND DISTANCES:
Rail and road: 1501 km to Tehran. 1082 Km to Esfahan, 498 km to
Kerman, (road) 601 km to Shiraz, and l' 039 km to Zahedan.
ACCIDENTS: Traffic Accidents I 14, 27788.
AIR AGENT:
1. Hava Gasht 20774-6.
2. Hormoz Tour 35533.
3. Iran Air 39595.
4. Iran Asseman 29096.
5. Naderi (Qeshm), 15th Khordad Street.
AIRPORT:
A taxi to and from the airport is 5000 to 10,000 Rials for a
solo passenger. Tel 32034-6.
BANKS AND EXCHANGE OFFICES:
1. Bank Melli Iran, on the southwest of Vali-Asr Square.
2. Bluki Exchange Office, Imam Mussa Sadr Street 26169,23512.
3. Chah Tussi Exchange Office, Guriha Alley 25551.
4. Hormozgan Exchange Office, Bluki Square 25684.
5. Kar Saz Exchange Office, No 1919 Bluki Square 25534.
6. Khatib Exchange Office, Delgosha Street 23169.
7. Morvarid Exchange Office, Ahmadi Shopping Center 27446.
8. Sa'id Exchange Office, Imam Khomeini Ave, Bluki Square 26984.
9. Savan Exchange Office, Mohammadi Ruhi Shopping Center 27148.
10.Yadgar Far Exchange Office, Ahmadi Shopping Center 23762, 25248.
BUS TERMINAL:
Near the airport to the
east of town, but you can book in the booking offices of a couple of
bus companies in town. To get to the bus terminal you may need to
take two shared taxis: one to the turn-off to the bus terminal (i.e.
on the corner of Imam Khomeini and Gholami Sts), and another to the
bus terminal itself. There are buses from Bandar-e Abbas to nearly
all major towns and provincial centers.
CITY DIALING CODE NUMBER:
The dialing code for Bandar-e Abbas is 0761.
DRUG STORE (24-HOUR):
I. Sina, Shari'ati Street 22119.
2. Helal Ahmar, Imam Khomeini Ave 25655.
3. Razi, Shahid Beheshti Street 26461.
EMERGENCIES:
.Jomhuri Eslami Blvd 115,22095, 22055.
FIRE STATION:
Imam Khomeini Blvd 112, 22331. Jomhuri-e Eslami Blvd
54000,42040.
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE:
Ostandari, on the sea front in Shahid Chamran Blvd, about a km from
Enghelab Square 27001-3.
Farmandari, Motahari Blvd 27772, 26380.
MEDICAL SERVICES:
1. Omm-e Leila Hospital, Nayband-e Shomali 27172.
2. Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Jomhuri-e Eslami Blvd 31001-5.
MUNICIPALITY:
In an alley on the north side of Imam Khomeini Ave, 250 meters
west of Enghelab Square 23021-2.
POLICE:
17th Shahrivar Square 27676, 26000.
POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS:
Shahid Beheshti Street 116.
RAILWAY STATION:
To get a train ticket to Tehran, etc, contact Bala Parvaz Travel
Agency on Imam Khomeini St, near Abuzar Square. Tel: 29881.
RESTAURANTS:
1. Ghadir, Aivaziha Bazaar 23664.
2. Ghodss, Imam Khomeini Blvd 259700. Homa Hotel has the city's
smartest restaurant.
3. Iran, Imam Khomeini Ave, Bazaar-e Ruz 23833.
4. Ladan Ice Cream Shop on the northwest side of Vali-Asr Square
caters to the visitor's need for ice cream, faludeh,
milkshakes, coffee or tea.
5. Saiiad, on the north side of Imam Khomeini Ave, 400 meters east
of Imam Khomeini S2284 I. Here you can have chela meigu
(battered prawns or shrimps with boiled rice) and good chelo kabab.
6. Salamat, Bargh Square 22408.
7. Shahrzad (not marked in English), on Vali-Asr Square, serves good
chelo kabab.
TAXI:
Because of taxi shortage in Bandar-e Abbas, we recommend you to
use telephone taxis, particularly the 24-hour service at Homa Hotel.
TOURIST MAP:
Available in English and Persian.
TOURIST OFFICE:
Imam Khomeini Ave 23032. 24232-3. |
.
Seaport
and capital of Hormozgan Province, Bandar Abbas with more than
200,000 inhabitants, is located on the south of Iran at an elevation
of 15 meters above sea level and overlooks the strategic Strait of
Hormoz. It is a port in the middle of strait linking the Persian
Gulf to the Sea of Oman. With a distance of 1,501 km from Tehran, it
can be reached by air (Iran Air, Kish Air, and Mahan Air), a
first-class road, and rail (in a very near future).