Bushehr

Revival of Persian Gulf Port

Bushehr, the capital city of Bushehr province, lies in a vast plain running along the Persian Gulf coast of southwestern Iran. The port is the administrative center of the province, Iranreview.org wrote.

The city’s structures are traditional in style and modest in proportion. Due to its lack of rail connection to the interior of the country and shallow anchorage, the port has a minor position compared to ports such as Abadan, Khorramshahr and deepwater ports such as Bandar Abbas and Chabahar.

Bushehr is a fishing and commercial port located 1,218 kilometers from Tehran. It has a hot, humid climate.

Ancient City

The strategic location of Bushehr has been the main reason for the establishment of the port of Bushehr. During the 1st and 2nd Millennium BC, the Peninsula of Bushehr was a thriving and flourishing seat of civilization called ReyShahr.

Many relics have been found in this regard related to the Elamite era and the civilization of Shoush (Susa). The structures of Reyshahr are said to be related to Ardeshir of Sassanid Dynasty.

Reyshahr was formerly known by the name of Ram Ardeshir, but through the passage of time it came to be known as Reyshahr and ultimately Bushehr.

The Persian Gulf and the province of Bushehr enjoy a remarkable situation with regard to trade and military affairs. For the same reasons, the Europeans were interested in taking control of the region and the city of Bushehr.

The Portuguese invaded the city of Bushehr in 1506 CE and attempted to take the place of Egyptian and Vinecian traders who dominated the region.

In 1734, Nader Shah of Afsharid Dynasty chose it as the site of an Iranian naval base. During the Zand era, the region was a place for political challenges between different political groups.

When Qajar Dynasty replaced Zand Dynasty, they gained less control in the region, as the British influence in the region had increased gradually.

At the end of 18th century, the British and Dutch transferred their regional commercial offices to Bushehr, which became the home of the British political agent for the Persian Gulf during the 19th century. The Consulate General of British governed Bushehr for 20 years.

This situation lasted till 1913, and during the long battle between the Iranian and the British troops, the Iranians lost in 1857 and the British influence expanded to include all the Persian Gulf cost.

However, in 1913, the Iranians won the long battle. Consequently, Britain moved its diplomatic and commercial center across the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Peninsula at the beginning of the 20th century.

Road of Revival

The city was economically depressed until the 1960s when the government launched a major development program.

In 1975, the government began building a nuclear power plant in Bushehr. This facility was only partially completed when it was bombed by Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88).

When Germany, the initial backer of the plant, declined to complete it after the war, Iran tried to secure aid from other countries. In 1995, however, Russia signed an agreement to finish the plant.

Bushehr is now on the road of revival. An international airport and highways connect the city to Ahvaz to the northwest and Shiraz to the northeast. A secondary coastal road links Bushehr to Bandar Abbas to the southwest. The old section of central Bushehr has many examples of traditional Persian Gulf architecture dating from 1870 to 1920.

The city is an export market for the farm produce of neighboring and fertile Fars province. Bushehr’s industries include seafood canneries, food processing plants and engineering firms.