Overview

Zarqan County (Persian: شهرستان زرقان) is an administrative county in Fars Province, in southern Iran. The county seat and principal urban center is the city of Zarqan. The territory that now forms Zarqan County was previously part of the larger Shiraz administrative area and was elevated to county status in 2018 as part of a regional reorganization.

Administrative divisions

As a county, Zarqan is organized into urban and rural subdivisions. It contains two recognized cities and several rural districts (dehestans):

  • Zarqan — the county capital and main service hub.
  • Lapui — a smaller city within the county.

The principal rural districts include Band-e Amir Rural District, Rahmatabad Rural District, and Zarqan Rural District, each encompassing a number of villages and agricultural communities.

Population and history

The best-known population figure dating to the 2006 national census reports 46,672 inhabitants in 11,815 families for the area when it was still part of Shiraz County. Since administrative changes in 2018 established Zarqan as a separate county, more recent local counts and estimates have been used by provincial authorities. Historically the area shares the broader cultural and historical ties of Fars Province, an important region in Iran with a long settlement history.

Economy and society

Zarqan County is predominantly non-industrial and retains a mix of small-town services, local commerce and rural livelihoods. Agricultural activities and local markets support many communities, while some residents commute or trade with the nearby city of Shiraz for employment, education and specialized services. The population is mainly Persian-speaking and participates in the cultural patterns common across Fars Province.

Transport, importance and notable facts

The county's location near regional transport routes gives it local importance as a connector between smaller settlements and Shiraz. Its administrative promotion in 2018 reflects ongoing adjustments to local governance intended to improve public administration and services for communities in this part of Fars. For maps, demographic updates and official notices refer to provincial publications and local government sources.