Bam

Town and district in Kerman province, southern Iran, 180 km/112 mi southeast of the city of Kerman; population (2001 est) 75,200. Bam is situated on the southeastern borders of the Great Desert, and is a fertile area, the main product being dates.

Bam is the site of a medieval castle, Arg-e Bam, which was largely made from mud-brick; the ruins of its inner and outer walls can still be seen. In 2003 an earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale devastated the town and its surrounding area, killing around 41,000 people.