In geographical terminology, a port refers to a coastal area where ships anchor and loading and unloading of cargo take place. Ports play a vital role in the economy and trade of any country.

Bandar Abbas is the capital of Hormozgan Province and one of the southernmost cities of Iran. It covers an area of 316.27 square kilometers and, according to the 1996 census, had a population of 419,938.

Geographically, Bandar Abbas is predominantly mountainous, with most mountains and elevations located in its northern parts. The climate in the northern highlands is hot and dry, while the coastal areas experience hot and humid conditions. Bandar Abbas is bordered by Hajiabad County to the north, Rudan and Minab to the east, Lar and Bandar Lengeh to the west, and the Persian Gulf to the south. Its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most important economic waterways—has given Bandar Abbas exceptional strategic significance.

Throughout history, Bandar Abbas has been known by various names, the most famous of which are Shahru, Jerun, Gambarau, and Gombroon. Until the early 8th century, it was called Shahru, while Hormuz Island was then known as Jerun. During that time, the inhabitants of Jerun migrated to Shahru, leading to the replacement of the name Shahru with Jerun.

During the reign of Shah Ismail of the Safavid dynasty (1501–1524), after the Portuguese occupied Hormuz Island, Jerun—where crabs and shrimp were abundant along the coast—was renamed Gambarau (Port of Crabs), which later changed into Gombroon. It is also possible that the name Gombroon resulted from a transformation of the word gomrok (customs). Shah Abbas liberated Gombroon from Portuguese control and renamed it after himself, hence Bandar Abbas.

The historical background of Bandar Abbas dates back to before the birth of Christ (pbuh), though the formation of its urban fabric is estimated to have occurred around 1611. It is said that Darius of the Achaemenid Empire traveled through the Persian Gulf to supervise his territories and used this port as part of his routes. The discovery of coins belonging to the Sasanian period in this region indicates the prosperity of trade in Bandar Abbas during that era.

From the 14th century onward, the port attracted the attention of colonial powers due to its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz. In 1507, during the reign of Shah Ismail, the Portuguese, under the command of Afonso de Albuquerque, entered the southern waters of Iran and occupied Hormuz Island. Historically, the port of Gombroon was under the authority of the Amir of Lar and formed part of the Laristan region.

To expand their influence, the Portuguese built a fortress in Gombroon.

In 1614, Iranian forces captured the Portuguese fortress in Gombroon and killed all its occupants. Shortly afterward, with the assistance of ships belonging to the English East India Company—founded in 1600 amid Anglo-Portuguese rivalry—the Iranians expelled the Portuguese from Hormuz Island as well. Following this victory, Gombroon was renamed Bandar Abbas. That period marked the beginning of the economic prosperity of Bandar Abbas. Dutch and English trading companies established agencies at this port, and merchants frequently traveled there. Owing to the relative security of the Strait of Hormuz, commercial ships regularly passed through it and anchored at Bandar Abbas.

During the reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, the city was seized several times by central government forces due to nonpayment of taxes, and its inhabitants were treated harshly.

In the Pahlavi era, Bandar Abbas became one of Iran’s most important ports due to its natural resources—such as oil, gas, gypsum, and salt—as well as its suitable coastline, power plant, and shipbuilding and food-processing industries. Towards the end of the Pahlavi period, Bandar Abbas rose up alongside other cities of Iran. Numerous significant events reflecting the revolutionary spirit of its people took place, including strikes and demonstrations. Notable incidents included the strike of radio and television employees (October 25, 1978), the strike of Bandar Abbas Steel Complex workers (October 26, 1978), the strike of 2,500 truck drivers (November 4, 1978), sit-ins by teachers and students protesting SAVAK’s violent attacks on schools and the imposition of martial law by the Azhari government (late 1978), the burning of several banks and four large alcohol warehouses (January 1, 1979), a mass demonstration against the Bakhtiar government (January 8, 1979), and the declaration of solidarity with the Islamic movement by nearly 1000 officers and air force technicians at the Bandar Abbas Air Base (January 20, 1979).

After the victory of the Islamic Revolution and with the outbreak of the Iran–Iraq War, Bandar Abbas became strategically important due to its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz. At a time when Kharg Island and other oil export facilities were under Iraqi airstrikes and their export capacity was reduced, more than 70 percent of Iran’s oil exports were carried out via Bandar Abbas. During the years of the Revolution and the war, the city offered 658 martyrs in defense of the country. Today, Bandar Abbas holds major economic and military importance for Iran. Its land, air, and sea connections have turned it into a key commercial hub. This importance was further enhanced by the construction of the Bafq–Bandar Abbas railway in 1996, which connected the city to Iran’s national railway network. Bandar Abbas also has an international airport.

The presence of Shahid Rajaee and Shahid Bahonar ports in the county, along with the free trade islands of Qeshm and Kish to the south, has made Bandar Abbas one of Iran’s main economic arteries. Fishing, shrimp harvesting, and agriculture are among the region’s thriving economic activities. Traditional handicrafts in Bandar Abbas also include mat weaving, carpet weaving, and pottery.

The language spoken by the people of Bandar Abbas is Persian with a Bandari dialect, and the population is ethnically mixed, consisting of Persians, Baluchis, and Arabs.

Historical and tourist attractions of Bandar Abbas include the Kolah Farangi Mansion, Laft Fortress, Khamir Fortress, the Suru neighborhood, the Grand Mosque, Menbar-e Kohneh Mosque, Dezhkan Mosque, Naseri Mosque, and the shrines of Imamzadeh Seyyed Mozafar (as), Seyyed Kamel (as), and Shah Muhammad-Taqi (as).⁠[1]