City Introduction
A central-northern part of Iranian Province located along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, it is next to Central Alborz Mountain Range.While human habitation of the area dates back at least to 75,000 years ago, the recent excavations in Gohar Tape of Behshahr proved the urbanization of this area to be over 5,000 years; i.e. it is one of the most important historical sites of Iran.
Geography
Geographically, it is divided into two parts: the coastal plains, and the mountainous areas; with the former being surrounded by Alborz Mountain Range. Mazandaran also hospitably has housed Damavand Mountain in its county, Amol. The superb strategic position of this province is owed to its location at southern coast of the Caspian Sea and also neighboring with the countries of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Russia and the Republic of Azerbaijan (through this lake) and the adjacency with North of Tehran Metropolis. How away, with a six-thousand-year history on behind, Mazandaran is the most literate province in the country and also one the most important archeological bases of Middle East and the world. In terms of tourism, also Mazandaran and its center, are so important with a high rank amid the touristic spots of Iran.
Attractions
This vast green province has more than a lot, to provide its explorers with; among which some are as follows:
Valasht Lake
Among deep valleys, the lake is in the south west of Chalus and north east of Kelardasht Area. With a land of about 15 hectares and an average depth of 20 meters, the capacity of the lake is estimated to be about three million square meters of fresh water. Due to these same characteristics, it has become the shelter for migrative birds, fish and other sea creatures; the atmosphere of which, can be the most peaceful ideal environment for those interested in mountain climbing, and fishing. On 1388, 15th of Mehr, Valasht Lake was registered by the Culture Heritage Organization.
Gerdu Spring
Gerdu/ Walnut Spring is a clear spring with much water, located five kilometers from Nowshahr in Mazandaran province and in the neighborhood of Sang-e Tajan Village. As the most pleasant spring of the western Mazandaran, it hosts many travelers and tourists. In addition to the neighboring villages, also the water of Nowshahr and Chalus towns are provided by this source.
Ghost Lake
Mamraz/ Arvah/ Ghosts Lake, is located 5 kilometers from Vanosh Village in the central district of Nowshahr County. This 700X300-meter lake, lays in the middle of a dense forest in Mola Kola District. Locating in a completely virgin place, with its dried trees raised amid water, the lake carries a scenic view; through which, the visitors may also be faced with wild animals.
Ramsar Casino Boulevard
A boulevard in front of Ramsar hotels, related to Pahlavi era, that was recorded as one of the national monuments of Iran on 5th of Dey 1352. The present Mo’allem/ Teacher Square, before the revolution in 1357, carried the name Casino Boulevard.
Churat Lake (Miyanshe)
Located in Chahar Dangeh in Sari County, it is one of the most beautiful recreational attractions in Mazandaran Province. The lake was created as a result of an earthquake in 1320, followed by a landslide causing the spring water beside the lake being closed. With a land of 2.5 hectares, when water is decreased, appearance of the remaining trees creates a stunning view in the location of the lake. It went under this name due to its closeness to Churat Village.
Tirkan Waterfall
Though the number of Mazandaran beautiful and soothing waterfalls are not few, Haft Abshar in Tirkan Village in the meadows of Kaleb Kousht and the district of Babol Kenar, is undoubtedly are among those rare pretty ones. Containing seven small waterfalls, all known as Tirkan Waterfalls, its main waterfall has an approximate height of 9 meters.
Javaher Deh Village
27 kilometers from Ramsar and in Sakht Sar Rural District and on Alborz Mountains (2000 meters high), surrounded by pastures and grasses, it is located in the skirts of high Samasus Mountains; the most famous of which are Sorkh Tale and Vazhak Se Barareh Rezheh, with the former as the highest one. Lapa Sar with its famous and medicinal springs and Samamus and the Tomb of Shah Yahya on Chakad Summit of Samamus (containing permanent fridges) are some of the sights and attractive places in Javaher Deh Village. The upper streams of this village along with outstanding waterfalls, the vast forest park between the valley, beside Safa Rud/ River with sparkling mineral water are some of the tourist attractions in the area.
Abbas Abad Historical Complex
It is one of the historical monuments in Mazandaran Province, with its Gardens being located 9 kilometers from Behshahr County, right on the outskirts of Alborz Mountains. Abbas Abad is considered as one of the most important and greatest historical gardens of Iran, registered in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.This complex includes Abbas Abad Dam, dam reservoir and lake, flower garden, palace, bathroom, water mill and two brick towers. The complex was built in Khar Guran Area, by the order of Shah Abbas I in the years1020 and 1021. At the moment, it is the most evergreen garden in Iran with an area of about 500 hectares.
Larijan Hot Springs
Containing several springs, this spa is on the eye-catching climax of Damavand. Also called “Shah Abbasi Bath”, as the most famous spa of Larijan, it is undoubtedly natural, though not that much clean, due to being always crowded.After Shah Abbasi bath, Ab-Ahan/ Water-iron is the most famous pool of the district. It carries a high amount of iron, which is obvious from its color! So much beneficial for skin diseases, this pool is located on top of the mountain.
Miankaleh Protected Area
Miankaleh peninsula, located in the southern east of the Caspian Sea, 12 kilometers from north of Behshahr, it is more than 68000 hectares with a various height between 15 to 28 meters.
Separating Gorgan Gulf from the Caspian Sea, the lands of this peninsula contains long shrub berries, used as the meadow for cow husbandries.In 1969, announced as a preserved district, now under supervision of environment department, this peninsula also carries other titles: “wildlife shelter”, “international pond” and “biosphere natural reservoir”.