Zagros

The Zagros, or Zagros Mountains, is a broad mountain belt in western Iran and eastern Iraq. Extending roughly 1,500 kilometers, it runs from the border area with Turkey in the northwest to the Persian Gulf coast at the Strait of Hormuz. The range forms a major fold-thrust belt created by the ongoing collision between the Arabian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

Geology and topography: The Zagros comprises largely sedimentary rocks dating from the Paleozoic to the Cenozoic, folded and uplifted into a complex system of anticlines and synclines. Uplift began in the Cenozoic, producing several subranges and high peaks. The highest point is Zard Kuh, at about 4,548 meters, with other notable elevations exceeding 4,000 meters in central Iran. The belt is part of the broader Alpine-Himalayan orogenic system and hosts a variety of landscapes, from arid lowlands to alpine environments.

Climate and ecology: The Zagros exhibits a wide climate gradient, from semi-arid lowlands to montane climates at higher elevations. Northern and eastern slopes receive more precipitation, supporting oak and juniper forests and diverse biodiversity. The mountains harbor numerous habitats for mammals, birds, and reptiles, and are important for regional water resources.

Human geography and economy: The region has long been inhabited by Kurdish, Lur, Bakhtiari, Persian, and Arab communities, among others. It is a major hydrocarbon province, with extensive oil and natural gas fields in the foreland basins that have shaped economic development in Iran and Iraq. The Zagros also supports irrigation, hydropower projects, and traditional pastoralist practices, and remains seismically active.