Malek Library kicks off project for publication of “Geography of Southern Ports” of Iran

Project to publish a valuable Qajar‑era manuscript on geography of southern Iranian ports has begun, aiming to make an important historical source accessible to researchers and enthusiasts.

01/05/2026
The publication project of the book Geography of Southern Ports has officially begun, based on a Qajar‑era handwritten manuscript preserved at Malek National Library and Museum in Tehran.
This cultural institution operates as an endowed entity of Astan Qods Razavi (AQR) and holds one of the most valuable manuscript collections across the country.
The manuscript, authored by Abbas‑Qoli Tafreshi Bazarjani, is scheduled for publication on the occasion of the National Persian Gulf Day, April 30.
The project also honors memory of figures who lost their lives in this part of Iran, recognizing their historical and cultural significance.
In this work, the author meticulously describes natural conditions and aspects of human geography of islands and ports across the Persian Gulf region.
The text is written in a fluent and accessible style, making it readable while maintaining scholarly value.
The manuscript is distinguished by its clear and elegant handwriting, absence of corrections, and high legibility.
Researchers will be able to consult the original text directly, benefiting from its historical, geographical, and linguistic dimensions without intermediary interpretation.
Geographers and scholars have long paid close attention to geography of the ancient Persian Sea, known today as the Persian Gulf.
Historical sources consistently associate this region with Iranian culture and identity, and before emergence of newly established states in recent decades, it was widely known as Pars, Persian, Persia, or Fars.
In recent years, several valuable studies on the Persian Gulf and its islands have been conducted. Some of these works, produced in cooperation with their authors, will be included in the forthcoming book as supplementary research preceding the main manuscript.
According to plans finalized by organizers, Geography of Southern Ports will be officially unveiled on National Persian Gulf Day next year, corresponding to 30/04/2027.
It is hoped that this cultural initiative will contribute to deeper understanding of the Persian Gulf as a central element in Iran’s historical identity, civilization, and political geography, while honoring memory of martyred defenders of the homeland in this region including Brig. Gen. Alireza Tangsiri, Gholamali Bayandor, Rais‑Ali Delvari, and many other well‑known and unknown martyrs whose sacrifices remain an enduring part of the nation’s history.