Oceans & Seas
The Restless Deep
Covering more than two-thirds of our planet, the ocean is Earth's last great wilderness — vast, restless, and largely unseen. Our galleries explore this world in all its moods: the crash of open water against ancient coastlines, the mirrored stillness of a calm horizon, the hidden life moving just beneath the surface. From storm-battered cliffs to quiet tidal shallows, our photographers document the sea's raw power and quiet mystery, capturing a landscape that is always moving, never the same twice
Lake Urmia- Urmia-Iran
Lake Urmia is one of the largest salt lakes in the Middle East and an important natural and ecological landmark in Iran. Located in northwestern Iran between the provinces of East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan, the lake is known for its striking seasonal colors, salt formations, and unique landscapes. Once one of the largest saltwater lakes in the world, Lake Urmia has faced severe environmental challenges in recent decades due to drought, climate change, and water diversion, leading to a significant reduction in its size. Despite these challenges, the lake remains an important symbol of Iran’s natural heritage and environmental history.
The red color of Lake Urmia is caused by salt-loving algae and bacteria that grow in its highly saline water. As the lake becomes more concentrated through evaporation, these microorganisms produce red pigments that turn the water pink or red.
- Three aerial drone views of Urmia Lake, taken vertically perpendicular to the ground from an altitude of 500 meter.
PHOTOGRAPHER - ALI AZADEH
Maro Island - Persian Gulf, Iran _ Birds & Marine Life Collection
Located in the turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf, Maro Island (officially known as Shidvar Island) is a pristine, uninhabited coral islet recognized globally as a critical Ramsar wetland and a designated wildlife refuge. This photograph captures the raw, untouched beauty of this biological sanctuary, which serves as one of the most vital nesting sites in the Middle East for migratory marine birds—particularly the Bridled Tern and Lesser Crested Tern—as well as endangered Hawksbill sea turtles. Because it remains free from human settlement, the island stands as a rare, undisturbed haven of biodiversity, where deep-sea marine life and sweeping avian colonies meet along a fragile ring of white sand and coral reefs.
Photographer - Ali Azadeh
Beris Wharf, Chabahar
Rising from the Sea of Oman along Iran's Makran coast, the wharf at Beris is defined by its dramatic sandstone cliffs — flat, perpendicular walls shaped by centuries of wind and tide. This aerial image, captured by drone from 500 meters above, reveals the full scale and geometry of the coastline, a perspective impossible to grasp from the ground. Below, the fishing village of Beris continues its centuries-old rhythm, its colorful boats moving in and out of the harbor beneath the cliff's quiet, towering presence.
The Dez Dam: Engineering Triumph in the Canyons of Khuzestan - Iran
Constructed between 1959 and 1963 by an Italian consortium (Impregilo) under the direction of the Plan Organization of Iran, the Dez Dam rose during an era of ambitious national infrastructure modernization.
Carved deep into the rugged limestone gorges of the Zagros foothills, the Dez Dam (سد دز) stands as one of the most daring civil engineering achievements of the 20th century. Located approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Andimeshk in southwestern Iran's Khuzestan province, this massive double-curvature arch dam tamed the roaring currents of the Dez River, transforming seasonal floods into hydroelectric power and vital agricultural irrigation across the Khuzestan plains.
Towering Scale: Rising 203 meters (666 feet) from its bedrock foundation, it ranked as the sixth tallest dam in the world upon completion.
Double-Curvature Arch Design: Engineered to wedge naturally into the sheer, monolithic walls of the Tang-e Van gorge, distributing billions of cubic meters of water pressure directly into the surrounding mountains.
