Editing Shiraz (section)

==Economy==
{{See also|Economy of Iran}}

Shiraz is the economic center of southern Iran. The second half of the 19th century witnessed certain economic developments that greatly changed the economy of Shiraz. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 allowed the extensive import into southern Iran of inexpensive European factory-made goods, either directly from Europe or via India.<ref name=Bahai>{{cite web|url=http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jrcole/bahai/2000/urbanbh2.htm|title=Religious Dissidence and Urban Leadership: Baha'is in Qajar Shiraz and Tehran|publisher=Personal.umich.edu|date=20 April 1968|access-date=5 May 2011}}</ref> Farmers in unprecedented numbers began planting cash crops such as opium poppy, tobacco, and cotton. Many of these export crops passed through Shiraz on their way to the Persian Gulf. Iranian long-distance merchants from Fars developed marketing networks for these commodities, establishing trading houses in Bombay, Calcutta, Port Said, Istanbul and even Hong Kong.<ref name="Bahai" />

Shiraz's economic base is in its provincial products, which include grapes, citrus fruits, cotton and rice.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|author=Tore Kjeilen|url=http://www.i-cias.com/e.o/shiraz.htm|title=Shiraz|publisher=I-cias.com|date=26 September 2005|access-date=5 May 2011}}</ref> Industries such as cement production, sugar, fertilizers, textile products, wood products, metalwork and rugs dominate.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> Shirāz also has a major oil refinery and is also a major center for Iran's electronic industries. 53% of Iran's electronic investment has been centered in Shiraz.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arshksco.com/seez.htm|title=Projects – Shiraz Special Electronic Economic Zone|publisher=Arsh K S Co.|access-date=5 May 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707164111/http://arshksco.com/seez.htm|archive-date=7 July 2011}}</ref>

The '''Shiraz Special Economic Zone''' or the '''SEEZ''' was established in 2000 with the purpose of boosting manufacturing in electronics and communications.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seez.freeservers.com/whats_new.html |title=Overview |work=Shiraz Special Economic Electronic Zone (SEEZ) |via=freeservers.com |access-date=17 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kishtpc.com/Freetrade%20ZONES.htm |title=World Free Trade Zones |publisher=Kishtpc.com |access-date=5 May 2011 |archive-date=5 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110505162021/http://www.kishtpc.com/Freetrade%20ZONES.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Persian-Gulf-Shiraz.jpg|thumb|[[Persian Gulf Complex]]]]

Shiraz is a major shopping destination in [[Iran]] and the [[Middle East]], with more than 25 malls and 10 [[bazaar]]s.

The [[Persian Gulf Complex]], located at the north end of the city, is the [[List of largest shopping malls in the world|largest mall in the world]] in terms of the number of shops.<ref>[http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-12907-iran-to-open-830m-fars-shopping-mall-in-shiraz/ Iran to open 830m Fars Shopping Centre], Construction Weekly Online</ref>

The city is served by [[Refah Chain Stores Co.]], [[Iran Hyper Star]], [[Isfahan City Center]], [[Shahrvand Chain Stores Inc.]], and [[:fa:شرکت فروشگاه‌های زنجیره‌ای افق کوروش|Ofoq Kourosh chain store]].

	
[[File:Shiraz Panorama 2023 - Photo By Mr. Hamid Hassas.jpg|thumb|center|800px|Panoramic view of Shiraz at Daylight]]

[[File:Shiraz View.jpg|thumb|center|800px|Panoramic view of Shiraz at night]]