sistan

Sistan, also known as Sīstān, is a historical and geographic region in eastern Iran and southwestern Afghanistan. It centers on the Sistan Basin in the lower Helmand River valley and spans parts of Iran's Sistan and Baluchestan Province and portions of Afghanistan, including Nimruz and Helmand provinces. The region is home to ancient sites such as Shahr-e Sukhteh and to urban centers like Zabol and Zaranj.

Geographically, Sistan lies in an arid to semi-arid climate with desert basins and steppe. The Helmand River supplies irrigation to agriculture around the basin, feeding crops such as dates, pistachios, and wheat. The Hamun Lake system in the basin is highly sensitive to water flow; droughts and upstream usage have dramatically reduced water levels, affecting livelihoods and biodiversity.

Historically, Sistan has been a crossroads of cultures and empires, including ancient Sistan/Sakastan mentioned by Greek and Persian sources. It developed as a center for trade between Iran, Central Asia, and South Asia and housed the ancient city of Shahr-e Sukhteh, a major Bronze Age settlement near Zabol. Over the centuries, it was ruled by various dynasties and integrated into larger empires.

Demographically, the region is ethnically diverse. On the Iranian side, Baloch and Persians form the core populations; the Baloch are predominantly Sunni Muslims. In Afghanistan, Sistan-area communities include Baloch, Pashtun, and other groups, with Sunni Islam common. Economically, people rely on irrigated agriculture, animal husbandry, cross-border trade, and traditional crafts; water management and drought have been persistent challenges.