Golestān Province
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| Golestān Province استان گلستان |
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| Location | |
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| Info | |
| Admin. Center: • Coordinates: |
Gorgan 36°50′21″N 54°26′40″E / 36.8393°N 54.4444°ECoordinates: 36°50′21″N 54°26′40″E / 36.8393°N 54.4444°E |
| Area : | 20,367[1] km² |
| Population(2006): • Density : |
1,617,087[2] 79.4/km² |
| No. of Counties: | 11 |
| Time zone: | IRST (UTC+3:30) |
| -Summer (DST): | IRST (UTC+4:30) |
| Main language(s): | Mazandarani Turkmen Persian |
Golestān (Persian: گلستان) is one of the 30 provinces of Iran, located in the north-east of the country, south of the Caspian Sea. Its capital is Gorgan.
Golestān was split off from the province of Mazandaran in 1997. It has a population of 1.7 million (2005) and an area of 20,380 km². The major townships of the province are: Gorgan, Gonbad Kavoos, Bandar Torkaman, Bandar Gaz, Aliabad-e katul, Kord Kooy, Fenderesk and Minoo Dasht. Present-day Gorgan was called Esteraba or Astarabad until 1937.
Golestan is the World leading producer of Caviar.
The World's second longest wall (after the China Wall) is in the region of Gorgan.
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[edit] Climate and geography
Golestān enjoys mild weather and a temperate climate most of the year. Geographically, it is divided into two sections: The plains, and the mountains of the 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.
[edit] Administrative divisions
| Map | Abbreviation in map | County (Shahrestan) |
|---|---|---|
| A | Aliabad-e Katul | |
| A | Azadshahr | |
| BT | Bandar Torkaman | |
| F | Fenderesk | |
| G | Gorgan | |
| GK | Gonbad Kavoos | |
| K | Kordkooy | |
| M | Minoodasht |
[edit] History
The modern residents could have migrated from Afghanistan and changed the old name of the country which was Hyrcania (Gorgān)[3].
Human settlements in this area date back to 10 000 BCE. Evidence of the ancient city of Jorjan can still be seen near the current city of Gonbad-e Kavus. This was an important city of Persia, located on the Silk Road.
The Turkmens reside in the north of the province, a plain called Torkman sahra, this former nomadic people live in this area from 15th century, main cities of whom is Gonbad-e Kavus and Bandar Turkaman. recent decades has seen a huge migration to this province, especially from Zabol northest city of Sistan and Baluchestan. They are a sizeable minority at cities such as Gorgan, Ali Abad, Kalaleh and many of eastern townships.
Other ethnic groups such as Azerbaijanis, Baluchs, Kazakhs, Qezelbashs, Kurds, Georgians, and Armenians also reside in this area, and have preserved their traditions and rituals.
Turkmens are muslim and belong to Hanafi school of sunni sect. small minorities; Baluchs and Kazakhs are also Hanafi.
Persian and Mazandarani languages speakers are mainly shia.
A small minority of Bahá'í Faith also Live in Golestan (in Shahpassand).
[edit] Culture
The Buwayhid and Ziyarid dynasties of Persia were from this region. They were known for the revival of pre-Islamic Persian culture. For example, Buwayhid leaders entitled themselves as Shâhanshâh (شاهنشاه), literally king of kings, a term used by Sassanid rulers.
The world's tallest brick tower stands in this province. It is the famous Gonbad-e Qabus, built by a famous Amir of this region.
[edit] Colleges and universities
- Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (website)
- Golestan University of Medical Sciences
- Islamic Azad University of Azadshahr
- Islamic Azad University of Gorgan
- Islamic Azad University of Ali Abad katool
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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