GOLESTAN Province

The province of Golestan is in the southeast of die Caspian Sea with an area of 20,380.7 square km. The center of Golestan province is Gorgan. Golestan enjoys mild and a temperate climate most of die year. Geographically, it is divided into two sections: The plains, and the mountains of Alborz range. In the eastern Alborz section, the direction of mountains faces northeast and gradually decreases in height. The highest point of the province is Shavar, with a height of 3,945 meters. The Turkmens reside in the north of the province, a plain called Turkmen Sahra. From the 15th century, these formerly nomadic people have lived in this area, the main cities of which are Gonbad-e Kavus and Bandar Torkaman. Turkmens are Muslim and follow the Hanafi school of Sunni interpretation.

Nahar-Khoran Forest Park

ocated on the south of Gorgan, Nahar-Khoran Forest Park spans an area of 168 hectares. Nahar-Khoran falls under the category of Caspian Hyrcanian Mixed Forests and includes several restaurants, inns, hotels and villas. This forest park has several springs, the most famous of which is Sefid-Cheshmeh. The only river in Nahar-Khoran is named Ziarat which flows from the heights of Ziarat Village and runs a 40 km course.

Alang-Darreh Forest Park

Alang-Darreh forest park is chosen and announced as one of the 7 exemplary touristic districts of the country and the outstanding forest park of the north of Iran. In springs and summers, this forest is full of people who come to this district from the sultry and hot weather of town. The weather of Alang-Darreh is at least 10 degrees cooler than urban areas. There is an asphalt road inside this forest. In the hillside of this forest, there is special plant coverage and also very scenic rivers and springs which give it a spectacular view. The nearest tourist attraction to the park is Rango waterfall.

Palace Museum of Gorgan

Gorgan Palace Museum or Gorgan Royal Palace is located in City Park (previously a library). After being repaired, the place was turned into Gorgan Palace Museum. This Palace was the first museum in the north of Iran and is considered the specific archaeological museum and the twenty fourth museum in the country. Two major parts of the museum are: Introduction of famous people in Golestan and royal objects sections. The nearest tourist attractions to the museum are Palace of Agha Mohammad-Khan Qajar complex and Jame mosque of Gorgan.

Golestan National Park

The Golestan National Park is the first Iranian National Park that is situated in Golestan, Semnan and Khorasan provinces. Because of its natural value such as the existence of verdant and virgin forests and different species of flora and fauna, it is famous in Iran and the world. This park has been a protected area since 1957 under the name of “Almeh” and ‘Yashki’ and in 1976, these two parts combined and became the Golestan National Park with 91,890 hectares of land area. This park is formed of slightly sloping hills and high calcareous rocks. Its climate is very damp and in some places dry. Some important areas around the Golestan National Park are: Laveh, Dasht, Takhteh Iran, Yan Bolaq, Gildaq and the Qorkhoud protected areas. The most important animals of the Golestan National Park are: Rabbit, tiger, golden eagle, wolf, fox, panther, bear, sable wild cat, wild goat, wild pig (bore), gazelle, ram, deer, venison, kinds of snake, kinds of fish, black dall, delijeh, pray birds etc. Most important plants of this park are: fig, mulberry, wild pear, walnut, raspberry, barberry, different medicinal plants etc.

Jahan-Nama Village

Jahan-Nama village is a country side village with very primitive facilities which has multiplied its beauty, as staying in this district maximizes the relationship and interaction of man with nature. Jahan-Nama village has spectacular and unique scenes for its natural position, especial climate and also because of being located in Jahan-Nama preserved district. The view of heights, springs, rivers and forests have an incredible freshness and beauty especially during the first three seasons of the year, and many tourists are attracted to this place. The neighboring heights of this village with high climaxes and variable plant and animal coverage are considered as its unique attractions. Jahan-Nama village is located right in the hill side of Jahan-Na-ma Mountain which has a 3086 meter height from sea level, which means that walking in Jahan-Nama is like walking on the rooftop of Golestan

Gonbad-e Qabous Tower

Tower of Gonbad-e Qabous is a historical and glorious construction and it is one of the attractions of Gonbad-e Kabus town in Golestan province. It is located in a vast and beautiful park and attracts the eye of any observer from distances away. The Tower of Gonbad-e Kabus is a valuable relic left from the fourth Hijri century and is a remnant of Ziyarid dynasty in this land of Iran. This tower used to be the guide and landmark of travelers who used to pass this land. Tower of Gonbad-e Kabus is the highest brick tower of Iran and the world.

Ashuradeh Island

Ashuradeh is located in the western part of Bandar Torkaman- the greatest Iranian island in the Caspian Sea- in Miankaleh peninsula. Ashuradeh consisted of three almost attached islands in the past. The two small ending islands drowned under water over centuries and Ashuradeh is vacant and half- drowned for the same reason. Ashuradeh or Ashur Ada is the only island of the Iranian coast of the Caspian Sea. Ashuradeh’s surface is 800 hectares (2,000 acres). It is located on the eastern end of the Miankaleh peninsula in the Behshahr county of Mazandaran Province, 3 km from Bandar Torkaman and 23 km from Gorgan. The island can be reached via Bandar Torkaman. Over 40% of Iran's caviar is produced near Ashuradeh Island.