The topography of Shiraz is predominantly a valley basin surrounded by towering peaks of the Zagros Mountain range. The city sits at a relatively high elevation of roughly 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) above sea level.
Key topographical features include Mount Derak to the west, Mount Baba Kuhi to the north, and the Sabz Pushan range to the south. The valley floor is mostly flat, allowing for widespread urban development, while the northern and western suburbs begin to climb into the scenic, terraced foothills. The Khoshk River cuts a shallow, mostly dry channel through the city center, acting as a drainage basin for flash floods originating in the surrounding mountains during the winter and spring.
