Limestone: understanding the rock
Limestone is a predominantly carbonate sedimentary rock. The USGS guide introduces its composition and uses.
Read article ↗Guide to Iranian materials
Limestone: areas of origin, materials and further reading.
THE GEOGRAPHY OF STONE / 01
31 provinces · 3 locationsIran. The lands of limestone.
Towns and quarry districts
- 01KhorramabadLorestan
Lorestan
- 02Islamabad-e GharbKermanshah
Kermanshah
- 03ShirazFars
Fars
Map and sources
© OpenStreetMap contributors · Simplified province boundaries
Scientific reading: Shahrood University · Atashkooh · Journal of Mining and Environment · Environmental Earth Sciences · Abbasabad
USGS · Limestone: A Crucial and Versatile Industrial Mineral Commodity (2008) · Results in Engineering · Limestone characteristics, Khorramabad (2026) · Environmental Earth Sciences · Petrography and durability of Persepolis limestone (2019) ·
Limestone of Iran
Three localities identified by Reza Molai for exploring Iranian limestone.
Khorramabad
Ornamental limestone
Khorramabad, Lorestan, is the first stop on the Limestone route. Research on local limestones explores mineralogy, porosity and strength: properties to verify on the selected material.
Explore the area ↗Islamabad-e Gharb
Ornamental limestone
Islamabad is presented as Islamabad-e Gharb in Kermanshah province. This profile records the area identified by Reza Molai; individual quarry names and material properties require their own documentation.
Explore the area ↗Shiraz
Ornamental limestone
Shiraz, Fars, completes the route. Studies of Persepolis limestone provide regional context for understanding stone and weathering; they do not identify the quarries supplying current materials.
Explore the area ↗Articles and further reading
Khorramabad: reading the properties
A 2026 study examines limestone samples from different parts of Khorramabad, comparing mineralogy, porosity, strength and durability.
Read article ↗Shiraz and Fars: stone and durability
Research on Persepolis limestone examines the relationship between petrography and durability through freeze–thaw, thermal shock and salt crystallization tests.
Read article ↗Limestone on the site
Guide localities and block availability are separate information. Browse material records for photographs, dimensions and availability status.
Open the limestone catalogue ↗