Abadan: From Ancient Port to Oil Hub, Surviving War and Rebuilding

The Abadan refinery commenced operations in 1913, a pivotal moment that heralded an era of unprecedented growth and prosperity for the city. By the mid-1950s, Abadan had burgeoned into a thriving metropolis with a population exceeding 220,000, its economy almost entirely dependent on the intricate processes of petroleum refining and the bustling activities of shipping. Pipelines crisscrossed the landscape, connecting the refinery complex to the northern oilfields and extending to major Iranian cities like Tehran and Shiraz, underscoring Abadan's central role in the nation's energy infrastructure.