Natanz

For the administrative division of Isfahan province, see Natanz County.

Natanz (Persian: نطنز)^[a] is a city in the Central District of Natanz County, Isfahan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.^[4] It is 70 kilometres (43 mi) south-east of Kashan.

Natanz Persian: نطنز
City
Shrine Complex of Abd al Samad, built in 1304
Natanz
Coordinates: 33°30′26″N 51°54′49″E[1]
Country	Iran
Province	Isfahan
County	Natanz
District	Central
Population  (2016)[2]
• Total	44,551
Time zone	UTC+3:30 (IRST)
Website	natanz.ir

Demographics

Population

At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 12,060 in 3,411 households.^[5] The following census in 2011 counted 12,281 people in 3,829 households.^[6] The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 14,122 people in 4,564 households.^[2]

Nuclear facility

Further information: Natanz Nuclear Facility and Nuclear facilities in Iran § Natanz

Natanz nuclear facility is part of Iran’s nuclear program. It is located some 33 km NNW from the town (33°43′N 51°43′E) near a major highway, is generally recognized as Iran's central facility for uranium enrichment.^[7]

Geography

Location

Natanz is located 120 km northeast of Isfahan and on the main north-south highway of Iran. Its altitude is 1666 meters above sea level. The distance between Tehran and Natanz is 326 km, and it takes about 4 hours by car.^{[citation needed]} The Karkas mountain chain (Kuh-e Karkas) (meaning mountain of vultures), at an elevation of 3,899 meters, rises above the town.^[8]

Climate

The average temperature of the city is 15.5 degrees Celsius and the average annual rainfall is 195 mm.^[9][10]

Climate data for Natanz (1992-2005)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Daily mean °C (°F)	2.1 (35.8)	4.4 (39.9)	8.5 (47.3)	15.0 (59.0)	19.7 (67.5)	25.4 (77.7)	28.2 (82.8)	27.7 (81.9)	23.4 (74.1)	17.0 (62.6)	9.5 (49.1)	4.6 (40.3)	15.5 (59.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	34.0 (1.34)	23.2 (0.91)	43.3 (1.70)	28.6 (1.13)	19.8 (0.78)	2.1 (0.08)	0.5 (0.02)	0.9 (0.04)	0.1 (0.00)	5.6 (0.22)	16.6 (0.65)	20.6 (0.81)	195.3 (7.68)
Average snowy days	3.6	2.6	1.3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.1	1.9	9.5
Average relative humidity (%)	57	47	42	37	31	21	22	18	21	31	45	55	36
Average dew point °C (°F)	−5.4 (22.3)	−6.2 (20.8)	−4.4 (24.1)	0.0 (32.0)	1.8 (35.2)	1.7 (35.1)	4.1 (39.4)	1.6 (34.9)	0.0 (32.0)	−0.7 (30.7)	−2.5 (27.5)	−4.0 (24.8)	−1.2 (29.9)
Source: IRIMO[11][12][13][14][15]

Agriculture

Saffron

Natanz saffron is one of the agricultural products of Natanz city, which is compatible with the climate of this region. Natanz saffron is of good quality and most of this product is exported.^[16] Because Natanz city has three different types of climate, saffron cultivation in this area has given good results, so that some years it has yielded more than 1600 kg of dry saffron.^[17]

Garden produce

Currently, the economy of Natanz is in the field of agriculture, people make a living by producing garden products such as pears, beets, walnuts, pomegranates and saffron.^[18] Its pear fruits are well known.^[19]

Historical monuments

It is known as the shrine of Abd as-Samad.^[19] Elements in the present complex date from 1304 with subsequent additions and restorations, such as the Khaneqah and Muqarnas vault. The tomb honors the Sufi Sheikh Abd al-Samad, and was built by the Sheikh's disciple, the Ilkhanid vizier Zain al-Din Mastari.^{[citation needed]}

Gallery

• 
  Anti-aircraft guns guarding Natanz nuclear facility
• 
  Natanz Stone Fortress
• 
  Natanz mosque next to the old Chenar
• 
  Ancient tree of Natanz
• 
  Portal of Abd al-Samad complex

See also

• Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant
• Nuclear facilities in Iran
• Stuxnet computer worm

Media related to Natanz at Wikimedia Commons

Notes

1. Also romanized as Naţanz^[3]