Hyrcanian Forests – Gorgan, Golestan Province, Iran
Photo by Ramin Nouri

The unique Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests with an area and length of about 55,000 km2 (seven percent of Iran’s area) and 850 km are located along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, covering parts of five provinces (North Khorasan, Golestan, Mazandaran, Gilan, and Ardebil). The history of these forests dates back to 25 to 50 million years ago during the Quaternary glaciations era. Hyrcania refers to the old name of Gorgan city in Greek language, known as Jorjan or Vorkan as well and “Vorkan” according to the inscriptions remained from Achaemenid era. Due to its various endemic flora and fauna, these forests were inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in Baku on July 2019, introducing them as the country’s 24^th site and the second natural site.

The plant biodiversity of this ecoregion with mountains ranging from low to high altitudes and 3200 species consists of 44 percent of the vascular plants that are found in Iran. For example, 150 endemic tree and bush species such as Parrotia, Buxus, Taxus baccata and Juniper can be found in these forests. In terms of fauna, these forests are habitat of 180 species of birds and 58 species of mammals such as Cervus elaphus, Persian fallow deer, Panthera pardus tulliana, brown bear, and wolf. The government of Islamic Republic of Iran and United Nations Development Program have started a common five-year project to protect biodiversity of these forests

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The Alborz Mountains cover a large part of the south and southwest of the province, while Turkmen Plains (Turkmen Sahra) surrounds its north with Kūh-e Gāv Koshān as the highest point. The climate of Golestan varies widely in different seasons such that the southern and western parts have mountainous, frigid, and semi-arid climates, while the northern areas are temperate and humid.

Before the advent of Islam, Golestan province was one of the oldest, largest and most developed lands in the northwest of Iran. In the middle of the second millennium B.C., this area was the main center of the Aryan civilization, known as Hirkani (Hyrcanian) during the Achaemenid Empire (550-330 B.C.).

There are many historical monuments in these areas including the remains of Alexander’s wall (dam) with an approximate length of 155 km referring to the Sassanid Empire (224-651 A.D.).This dam was built to prevent the invasion of the northern tribes. After the Muslim conquest of Persia in 651 A.D., the Samanid (819-999), Buyid (934-1062), and Ziyarid (930-1090) dynasties ruled over the area. The tomb of Qabus ibn Wushmagir, one of the Ziyarid Sultans still exists near the ruins of the ancient city of Jorjan. This area was widely known as Gorgan until the seventh century but it was later called Esterabad during the seventh to fourteenth centuries.

Golestan province contains various natural and historical attractions, tempting many foreign and domestic tourists to visit it. The main attractions of the province include Caspian Sea shores, Gulf of Gorgan, Miankaleh peninsula, Khalid Nabi shrine, historical cemetery, Ziart waterfall, Kaboud-Val waterfall, Nahkarkhoran forest, Emadieh school of Gorgan, historical bridge of Aqqala, Miran castle, Seyyed Gelich Ishan Mosque and school, Naftiljeh mud volcano, and the Gonbad-e Qabus Tower.

Gonbad-e-Qabus tower has been registered as the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In terms of handicrafts, silk weaving, Plaas Bafi (kind of floor mat), Jajim, carpets and rugs of Turkmen, Khorjin, Kilim, and needlecraft could be found in Golestan. However, the province’s souvenirs mostly include caviar, fish, citrus, kiwi, honey, silk, carpet, rug, Turkmen backrest, and Jajim. Furthermore, native dishes include Chakdormeh (Traditional Turkmen rice), Manty, Tomato Aush, mung bean Aush, Aush-e-Heli, Aush-e-Kei, Aush-e- Siyah Sholeh, Kumeh Lakey Borek (Borek of mushroom), Pusigh, Chafati, Akmak, and Potato Borek. When it comes to prominent celebrities, we can mention to Fakhruddin As’ad Gurgani (Poet), Mir Damad (Philosopher), Mir Fendereski (Philosopher), and Magtymguly Pyragy (also known as Ferdowsi of Turkmen Sahra, a poet, and spiritual leader).

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