Provinces of Iran

Provinces of Iran
استان‌های ایران
Ostânhâye Irân
  • Also known as:
  • Ostân
    استان
CategoryUnitary state
LocationIran
Number31
Populations591,000 (Ilam province) – 13,323,000 (Tehran province)
Areas5,833 km2 (2,252 sq mi) (Alborz province) – 183,285 km2 (70,767 sq mi) (Kerman province)
Government
Subdivisions

Iran is subdivided into thirty-one provinces (Persian: استان Ostân), each governed from a local centre, usually the largest local city, which is called the capital (Persian: مرکز, Markaz) of that province. The provincial authority is headed by a governor-general (Persian: استاندار Ostândâr), who is appointed by the Minister of the Interior subject to approval of the cabinet.