Dizin Ski Resort – Alborz Mountain, Tehran Province, Iran
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It was established during 1970 and it is the most equipped ski resort in Iran. It is located in the Alborz mountain range, about 123 KM from Chalus Road and 71 KM from Shemshak region (a city in Tehran Province).

This resort has 2 hotels, 19 cottages, 5 resturants, 4 gondola lift, 2 chairlifts and 10 various ski-lifts.

It the first ski resort in Iran which is approved by International Ski Federation to hold races of snow and grass skiing.

The appropriate time for skiing is from the late November till the beginning of May. It is open in winter in all the days and during summer it can be used on Thursdays, Fridays and other holidays.

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Fritillaria Imperialis – Iran Phytogeography
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There are various plant species in Iran due to having vast area and different climatic conditions. Geophytographically, Iran is divided into three huge vegetative regions including Europe- Siberia, Irani- Toorani and Sahara- Sind. Besides, it is geographically divided into four regions of Khazari (Caspian), Zagros, Irani- Toorani and the shore of Persian Gulf.

Khazari Region

it includes the plain lands of the coasts of Caspian Sea and some mountainous parts of Alborz which is covered with large-leaf jungles and mountainous meadows. Being away from the frost period, here you can see the species which no longer exist in other countries from among them it can be pointed out to Quercus Castaneifolia, Parrotia Persica, Populus Caspica, Gledistcha Capsica and Taxus Baccata. There is a unique and intersting species in this region which is called Lilium ledebouri, it is grown very limitedly in Rudbar region and is under protection, it has been registered nationally as well.

Avicennia marina (Harra Forest) – Iran Phytogeography
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Zagros Region

this region is known with its oak forests. It is covered with snow during the winter because of having cold weather conditions. The main plants of this region are Quercus Brantii, Fraxinus Rotundifolia, Acer Monspessulanum and Crataeguas Spp. But the most gorgeous plant of this region which annually attracts many tourists is called Fritillaria Imperialis. The main feature of this plant is the short time of its flowering.

Irani- Toorani Region

it is divided into two parts in terms of height: the plain part which is from mountains of Khorasan to Zagros Mountain and then reaches Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. The vegetation of this region is Artemisia. The mountainous part of the region includes the southern slopes of Alborz, the eastern hillside of Zagros and the mountains of Iranian Plateau. The commonest species are Onobrychis, Acanthophyllum, Astragalus, Calligonum Persicum, Ungernia Flava, Berberia Khorasanica and Pteropryum Aucheri.

The Shore of Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

it includes the coastal parts of south of Iran and is covered with date palm, Acacia and Jujube and Avicennia marina (Harra Forest). The vegetation in northern parts of Persian Gulf shore and Oman Sea is variable. In the parts with the highest raining amount, Medicago, Gramineae and Leguminocae are grown and around Oman Sea, Nannorhops, Acacia Ehrenbergian, Rhzya Dtricta, Prosopis Cineraria and T.stricta are mostly seen. One of the most famous plants of this region is Zhumeria which is in danger of extinction because of wasteful harvest, this plant has numerous medicinal and therapeutic properties.

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The mountains of central Alborz including known summits such as Damavand surround the north of Tehran. Because of altitude differences, Tehran has a considerable diversity of climates such that the higher the altitude, the higher the rainfall and the lower the temperature, and vice versa.

Tehran province is one of the oldest areas of Iran’s central plateau with human settlement dating back to the pre-Islamic period, the time of the Median Empire (678-549 B.C.). One of the most important historical cities of the region is Ray city placed near Tehran city in the current Tehran province. At the time, Tehran was in fact a large village located between Ray and the foothills of Alborz Mountain.

By the commencement of the Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736), Tehran came to the attention of the Shiite Safavid rulers because of neighboring Imāmzādeh Hamzah tomb – the ancestor of Safavid kings – and the holy shrine of Abd al-Azim al-Hasani. The Safavid kings would accommodate in Tehran when going to visit the Shrine of their ancestors in Ray. The expansion of traveling to Ray convinced Shah Tahmasp Safavid to build watchtowers and fortification for Tehran.

During the Afsharid Dynasty (1736-1796), the significance of Tehran was boomed, leading   Karim Khan Zand to turn it into the center of his government for four years. It was finally chosen as the capital of Iran by Aqa Mohammad Khan, the first Qajar Dynasty’s (1796-1925) king and was entitled “Dar al-Khelafeh” meaning the capital of a country. Following the expansion of the Qajar government’s power, Tehran developed more and this has been continuing to the present. Of its natural attractions include Ski resorts of Tochal, Shemshak, and Darband Sar.

The Golestan Palace as the mansion of Qajar’s kings remained from Zand (1751-1794) and Qajar Dynasties dating back to 440 years ago and witnessing great historical events, was registered as the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Furthermore, there are more than 30 diverse museums with valuable collections in Tehran. For example, the National Museum comprising two sections of Ancient Persia and the Islamic Museum is one of the main museums of the capital. The Museum of National Treasury and the Carpet Museum are other popular museums of the city, while Azadi Tower, Tehran Bazaar, Milad Tower Cultural Complex, and Sa’dabad Museum-Palace are also among the attractions. The main attractions of Ray city also include Abd al-Azim al-Hasani shrine, Tughrul Tower, and Cheshmeh-Ali.

Among the various handicrafts of the province, it can be pointed out to vitreous enamel (Minakari), Jajim (a kind of rug), wood products, and painting on glass and leather. Of the examples of native foods are different kinds of kebab, Dizy (meat stew), Aush (a kind of soup), and Dampokhtak (rice and beans). Zakariyyā al-Rāzī (scientist), Jahān Pahlevān Takhti (wrestler), Fereydoon Moshiri (poet), and Ali Akbar Dehkhoda (linguist) are among the celebrities of Tehran province.

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It is at the present the smallest and newest province in Iran with an area of about 5122 square km and 5 counties located around the provinces of Mazandaran, Qazvin, Tehran, and Markazi.

Karaj is the fourth most populated city in Iran following Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan. The name of the province is derived from the Alborz mountain range which covers much of the northern parts of this province.

The altitudes and mountains of central Alborz – especially in the border between Chalous and Haraz roads – are among the most important natural areas of the country. Due to the existence of Alborz Mountains, the northern part of the province has cold winters and cool summers, while its southern part has a warm and dry climate because of the geographical proximity to vast plains. The most known handicrafts of the province include painting on leather, glassblowing, glass engraving and painting, and wooden handicrafts.

The ancient pieces of evidence found in Uzbeki Hill in Nazar Abad county show that the history of Alborz province dates back to more than six thousand years ago with also more recent cultural remains referring to the Median Empire (678-549 B.C.). Ancient relics remained from Achaemenid (550-330 B.C.), Parthian (247 B.C. – 224 A.D.) and Sassanid (224-651 A.D.) Empires have also been found around Karaj, indicating that civilization has been continued in the region for a long period of time.

The Shah Abbasi Caravanserai from the Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736) and Shahrestanak palace from the Qajar Dynasty (1796-1925) also helped maintain the relative importance of the region in the course of history. The people of Alborz are from different ethnic groups migrated to this province but the common language of the province is Farsi. However, Tati language is also common in the Taleqan County of the city as well.

The most famous tourist attractions of Alborz include Tulip Gardens of Gach Sar and Tulip Festival, Karaj-Chalous Road, Kandovan Tunnel, Yakh Morad Cave, and Taleqan Dam Lake.

Taleqan with more than 80 villages is one of the most important tourist centers in the province. Alborz is the birthplace and residence of the many Iranian prominent figures such as Ayatollah Taleghani, Jalal Al-e-Ahmad, Darvish Khan and Omidvar brothers.

Moreover, Ista Village, which is known as the village of waiters, is located in Taleghan as well. Its inhabitants believe in waiting for the advent of Imam Zaman, the son of Al-Ḥasan al-Mahdī as the last Shiite Imam who is believed to be the ultimate savior of humankind in Islam with Jesus Christ. Interestingly, people of the village live far away from any technology such as electricity. They do not have even birth certificates and so are left from the official statistics of Iran.

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