Page 460 - 6 Persian Trade rep BUSHIRE 2_Neat

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Government.—Bandar Abbas and district is under the control
of a Persian Lieutenant-Governor,-who is nominally subordinate
to the Governor-General of the Gulf ports at Bushire.

Landing Facilities, etc.—The harbour at Bandar Abbas is
merely a shallow open, roadstead somewhat protected from the pre­
vailing winds by the three islands of Hormuz, Larak and Kishm.
There are no navigation lights and no wharves; vessels have to
anchor abou: a mile and a-half or two miles out. Cargo is disem­
barked into sailing dhows which land goods at a short masonry pier
near the customs. A great deal of pilferage always takes place. The
warehouse accommodation at the customs is entirely inadequate
for the trade of the port and goods suffer deterioration from ex­
posure to the v/eather.

Transport.—There are as yet no motor roads from Bandar
Abbas to the interior, although one to Kerman is under construc­
tion and is expected to be opened in 1929. At the present time all
goods have to be forwarded by animal transport. Average rates
throughout the year 1927-28 amounted to approximately ninepence
halfpenny per ton mile to Kerman and one shilling per ton mile
to Yezd, or £12 and £17 per ton respectively for the whole journey.

Agriculture and Industry.—Dates, almonds and pistachio
nuts, raisins and walnuts are the principal export crops, in order
of value, while in a normal year the district produces sufficient
cereals for its own use.
The red oxide of iron mines on Hormuz Island, which produce
a high grade product, are leased by the Persian Government to a
Persian merchant of Tehran. The output in 1927-28 amounted to
6,585 tons, a considerable increase on the previous year. The
oxide is exported in about equal quantities to the United Kingdom.
Germany and the United States.

Climate and Population.—The climate of Bandar Abbas
during the summer months is very hot and unhealth}'. The in­
habitants suffer considerably from malaria and small-pox is
endemic. A severe epidemic of cholera broke out at the neigh­
bouring village of Minab during 1927, but the town of Bandar
Abbas escaped the infection.
The population of the town may be roughly estimated at 15,000.

Trade.—Below is an analysis of main items of trade during the
years 1926-27, 1927-28