Shiraz is situated in southwestern Iran, nestled within a green plain at the foot of the Zagros Mountains. The city is bisected by a seasonal river known as the Roodkhaneye Khoshk (Dry River), which flows through the city toward Maharloo Lake, a striking salt lake located just to the southeast of the metropolitan area.
Fars Province as a whole is characterized by a mix of rugged mountain ranges, high-altitude plains, and arid southern borders. Shiraz's positioning provides it with a relatively moderate climate compared to the scorching deserts to the north and east, and the humid coastal regions of the Persian Gulf to the south. The natural resources surrounding the city include limestone, marble, and fertile agricultural lands that benefit from the mountain runoff.
