Iqlim

Iqlim, written in Arabic as إقليم, is a term used to denote a geographic region or administrative division within a country. The word is common in historical and contemporary Arabic-language geography and political discourse, and its exact meaning depends on national context. In classical Arab geography and Ottoman-era texts, an iqlim referred to a distinct territorial zone bounded by natural features or political boundaries, often functioning as a subdivision within a larger realm.

In modern usage, iqlim typically corresponds to a regional unit such as a province, governorate, or region, but the precise status and powers of an iqlim vary by country. Some states retain iqlim as an official administrative unit, while others use different terms and map the same areas under alternative designations. Outside formal administration, iqlim is still used in descriptive geography to designate areas that share geographic, cultural, or climatic characteristics.

The term is transliterated as iqlīm, and is sometimes rendered as “region” or “province” in English, depending on context. See also regional terms such as منطقة (mintaqa) and muhafazah, which provide context for comparable divisions in Arabic-speaking countries.