Time Zone |
Asia/Tehran |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+3.5 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+4.5 |
Time Zone |
Africa/Niamey |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+1 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Mahallat is a small city in Iran's Central Province, about 220 kilometers southwest of the capital, Tehran, in the northern foothills of the Zagros Mountains in a valley with a predominantly arid and semi-arid climate. The city is known for its traditional handicrafts, especially handmade carpet weaving with its colorful patterns that incorporate elements of Persian culture, which are exported both domestically and internationally. In addition, Mahniyan is rich in stone resources and has a well-developed marble and limestone quarrying and processing industry, making it an important supplier of building materials in central Iran. The local people are mostly engaged in agriculture and handicrafts, growing wheat, almonds and other crops. Although the city is small, it retains a strong Central Asian flavor and is a unique window to explore the culture of Iran's interior.
Diffa, the capital of the Diffa region in southeastern Niger, is located on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert and shares a border with Nigeria, making it one of the most important border cities in Niger. The city is located in the lower Niger River basin around the climate of the tropical desert climate, hot and dry throughout the year, the average annual precipitation is less than 300 millimeters. The economy is based on agriculture and animal husbandry, and the surrounding areas are rich in millet, sorghum and livestock. Diffa, as a regional trade center, undertakes the function of cross-border trade with neighboring countries, such as Nigeria, and is especially famous for the trade of livestock, agricultural products and handicrafts. The city is culturally diverse, with Hausa, Tuareg and Kanuri ethnic groups living in the area, and is unique in its crafts such as traditional leather weaving and silversmithing. Despite infrastructural challenges, Diffa remains an important economic and cultural node in the south-east of the Niger, thanks to its strategic location and rich cultural heritage.