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Gorgan گرگان
Gorgan
Coordinates: 36°50′N 54°29′E / 36.833, 54.483
Government
- Governor of the city (county) (2008)	Jaafar Gorzin
Area
- Total	1,700 km² (656 sq mi)
Population (2005)
- Total	241,177
- Density	141.47/km² (367.65/sq mi)
Time zone	IRST (UTC+3:30)

Gorgan (Persian: گرگان, Caspian: Vergen) is the capital of the Golestan Province, Iran. It is approximately 400 km from Tehran. It had an estimated population of 241,177 in 2005.[1] Some 150km east of Gorgan is the Golestan National Park. The city has a regional airport and several universities. Gorgan International Airport was opened in September 2005. Image File history File links Mergefrom. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 723 × 599 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,024 × 849 pixels, file size: 59 KB, MIME type: image/png) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Red_pog2. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... Iran Standard Time (IRST) is the time zone used in Iran. ... Farsi redirects here. ... Gonbad-e Qabus, built in 1007, is a reminder of the blossoming of art and architecture in medieval Persia. ... For other uses, see Tehran (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see September (disambiguation). ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Etymology

The city was named Hyrcania, Hyrcani or Hyrcana in ancient Greek records, which comes from Pahlavi Varkâna -- "Land of the Wolfs". Although modern Gorgan is only a city and county (sharing the same name), ancient Hyrcania was the name of a greater region on the southern shores of the Caspian Sea (encompassing all of the present day Golestan province, as well as some eastern parts of the Mazandaran province, and some southern parts of the present day Republic of Turkmenistan). In modern times and until 1937 the city used to be known as Astarabad. Gorgan (گرگان); Hyrcania ; Hyrcana (Old Persian Varkâna, land of wolves; modern Persian Gorgan): part of the ancient Persian empire, on the southern shores of the Caspian Sea (present day Golestan, Mazandaran, Gilan and parts of Turkmenistan). ... For the span of recorded history starting roughly 5,000-5,500 years ago, see Ancient history. ... The Pahlavi script was used broadly in the Sasanid Persian Empire to write down Middle Persian for secular, as well as religious purposes. ... The Caspian Sea is the largest enclosed body of water on Earth by area, variously classed as the worlds largest lake or a full-fledged sea. ... Mazandaran (Persian: مازندران) is a province in northern Iran, bordering the Caspian (Mazandaran) Sea in the north. ... Year 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Geography and climate

Farms, East of Gorgan

The wide Dasht-e-Gorgan (the Plains of Gorgan) are located north of the city of Gorgan and is geographically bounded by 37°00' - 37°30' north latitude and 54°00' - 54°30' east longitude and covers an area of about 1,700 square kilometres. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 778 × 500 pixelsFull resolution (778 × 500 pixel, file size: 184 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This photo was taken by Mohammad Hesamian If used outside Wikipedia, please credit: Photo by Mohammad Hesamian {Photographer Note) The place in the shot is located... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 778 × 500 pixelsFull resolution (778 × 500 pixel, file size: 184 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This photo was taken by Mohammad Hesamian If used outside Wikipedia, please credit: Photo by Mohammad Hesamian {Photographer Note) The place in the shot is located... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ...

In general, Golestan has a moderate and humid climate known as "the moderate Caspian climate." The effective factors behind such a climate are: Alborz mountain range, direction of the mountains, height of the area, neighborhood to the sea, vegetation surface, local winds, altitude and weather fronts. As a result of the above factors, three different climates exist in the region: plain moderate, mountainous, and semi-arid. Gorgan valley has a semi-arid climate. The average annual temperature is 18.2 degrees Celsius and the annual rainfall is 556 mm. Alborz Mountains Mount Damavand, Irans tallest mountain is located in Alborz mountain range. ...

History

Main article: Hyrcania

The name "Hyrcania" is the ancient Greek record of the local name in Old Persian name Varkâna. At the time of Sasanids Gorgan appeared as the name of a city, province capital, and a province^[1]. Gorgan (گرگان); Hyrcania ; Hyrcana (Old Persian Varkâna, land of wolves; modern Persian Gorgan): part of the ancient Persian empire, on the southern shores of the Caspian Sea (present day Golestan, Mazandaran, Gilan and parts of Turkmenistan). ... Beginning of Homers Odyssey The Ancient Greek language is the historical stage of the Greek language[1] as it existed during the Archaic (9th–6th centuries BC) and Classical (5th–4th centuries BC) periods in Ancient Greece. ...

Hyrcania became part of the persian empire during the reign of Cyrus the Great (559-530 BC) - the first emperor the first persian empire dynasty - or Cambyses (530-522 BC). It was conquered by Arabs in 8th century and by Mongols in 13th century. “Cyrus” redirects here. ... Centuries: 7th century BC - 6th century BC - 5th century BC Decades: 600s BC - 590s BC - 580s BC - 570s BC - 560s BC - 550s BC - 540s BC - 530s BC - 520s BC - 510s BC - 500s BC Events and Trends Carthage conquers Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica 559 BC - King Cambyses I of Anshan dies... Centuries: 7th century BC - 6th century BC - 5th century BC Decades: 580s BC - 570s BC - 560s BC - 550s BC - 540s BC - 530s BC - 520s BC - 510s BC - 500s BC - 490s BC - 480s BC Events and Trends 538 BC - Babylon occupied by Jews transported to Babylon are allowed to return to... Centuries: 7th century BC - 6th century BC - 5th century BC Decades: 580s BC - 570s BC - 560s BC - 550s BC - 540s BC - 530s BC - 520s BC - 510s BC - 500s BC - 490s BC - 480s BC Events and Trends 538 BC - Babylon occupied by Jews transported to Babylon are allowed to return to... Centuries: 7th century BC - 6th century BC - 5th century BC Decades: 570s BC - 560s BC - 550s BC - 540s BC - 530s BC - 520s BC - 510s BC - 500s BC - 490s BC - 480s BC - 470s BC Events 529 BC - Cambyses II succeeds his father Cyrus as ruler of Persia. ... Languages Arabic other minority languages Religions Predominantly Sunni Islam, as well as Shia Islam, Greek Orthodoxy, Greek Catholicism, Roman Catholicism, Alawite Islam, Druzism, Ibadi Islam, and Judaism Footnotes a Mainly in Antakya. ... For other uses, see Mongols (disambiguation). ...

Culture

Handicrafts

Gorgan (and in general, Golestan province), has a world famous carpet and rug industry, made by Turkmans. The patterns of these carpets are derived from the ancient Persian city of Boxârâ (Bukhara)which is now located in the Central Asian Republic of Tajikestan. Jajim carpets are also crafted in this province. Bukhara (Tajik: Бухоро; Persian: , Buxârâ; Uzbek: ; Russian: ), from the Soghdian βuxārak (lucky place), is the fifth-largest city in Uzbekistan, and capital of the Bukhara Province (viloyat). ...

Notables from Gorgan

Contemporary figures:

• Mohammad Reza Lotfi, Musician.
• Ramezan Ali Rashidi or Dr. Ali Rashidi, (b. 1935) Economist, University Professor.
• Hossein Ali Heravi, (1918-1993), Hafezologist, Writer.
• Mahmood Akhavan-Mahdavi, Expert on Repairing Persian Manuscripts; Writer & Researcher on Gorgan Contemperary History,
• Mohammad Mohammadi or Dr. Mohammad Mohammadi Gorgani, Human Rights Activist, Former Majles MP from Gorgan, University Professor.
• Mohammad Hossein Kabir or Hossein Kabir, (b. 1957) Human Rights, Political & Social Activist, Orator, Journalist, High School Teacher.
• Maryam Zandi, Photographer.
• Ali Reza Sookhtehsaraey, World Wrestling Champion.
• Abdonnasser Mohaimeni, (b. 1957) Journalist, Translator & Teacher of English Language.
• Rahmatollah Rajaee, writer, researcher and teacher of culture & history.
• Assadollah Maatoofi, (b. 1957) writer, researcher and teacher of culture & history.

Historical figures Mohammad Reza Lotfi was born in 1947 in Gorgan, northern Iran. ... Mohammad Mohammadi (Persian: ‎ , born September 20, 1977 in Tehran, Iran) is an Iranian footballer who is currently on loan from Persepolis FC to another IPL club, Paykan Tehran FC . ... Maryam Zandi (b. ...

• Fakhreddin Asaad Gorgani, or Fakhraddin Gorgani, poet & composer of great romance, Vis and Ramin.
• Gorgani, Zayn al-Din Isma‘il ibn, royal physician
• Gorgani, Abu Saeed, astronomer and mathematician
• Gorgani, Rustam, physician
• Masihi Gorgani, Avicenna's master
• Abd-al-Qaher Jorjani, Grammarian and literary theorist.
• Abu Solayk Gorgani, Poet.
• Fazlallah Astarabadi, founder of Hurufism
• Mirza Mehdi Khan Astarabadi, Nader Shah's Chief Minister
• Mir Damad
• Abolqassem Fendereski, or better khnown as Mirfendereski

• Other people from Gorgan ...

This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Abu Said al-Darir al-Jurajani, also spelled Gorgani, was a ninth century Persian mathematician and astronomer from Gorgan, Iran. ... Rustam Jurjani was a mid-16th century Persian physician who lived in India. ... Abu Sahl Isa ibn Yahya al-Masihi al-Jurjani, was a Christian physician, from Jurjan (Jorjan or Gorgan), east of the Caspian Sea, in Iran. ... Fazlallah Astarabadi was the founder of the Hurufi movement. ... Hurufism (Arabic حروفية hurufiyya, adjective form hurufi) is a mystical esoteric quasi-Sufi sect that was active in areas of western Persia, Anatolia and Azerbaijan in later 14th - early 15th century. ... Mirza Mehdi Khan Astarabadi (born and died in the 18th century) was an Iranian (Persian) personal secretary, and advisor of King Nadir Shah Afshar. ... Mir Damad (Persian: ميرداماد) was a philosopher, teacher, & leader in the cultural renaissance of Iran during Safavid dynasty and the main founder of the Isfahan School. ...

Attractions

Historical Attractions

• Gorgân's Defense Wall (155 km long and 6 to 10 m wide) is one of the most outstanding and gigantic architectural monuments in Dashte Gorgan and Gonbad Steppes (Gorgan Plain) history. This wall, which is the largest defensive wall in the world after the Great Wall of China ^[2], starts from the Caspian coast, circles north of Gonbade Kavous, continues towards the northwest, and vanishes behind the Pishkamar Mountains. A logistical archaeological survey was conducted regarding the wall in 1999 due to problems in development projects, especially during construction of the Golestan Dam, which irrigates all the areas covered by the wall. At the point of the connection of the wall and the drainage canal from the dam, architects discovered the remains of the above wall. At parts, this wall is 6 m wide and in other parts the width is 10 m, which proves that the thickness of the wall differs in various regions, according to the natural features and soil configuration. Castles have been built at different distances. The longest distance between castles is 50 km and the shortest is 10 km.The 40 identified castles vary in dimension and shape but the majority are square fortresses. Due to many difficulties in development and agricultural projects, archaeologists have been assigned to mark the boundary of the historical find by laying cement blocks. The Gorgan Wall has been named Alexander Dam, Anushirvân Dam, Firuz Dam and Qazal Al'an in various historical texts. Dr. Kiani who led the archaeological team in 1971 believed that the wall was built during the Parthian dynasty simultaneously with the construction of the Great Wall of China and it was restored during the Sassanid era (3-7th c. A.D.)^{[citation needed]}. In 2005 a team excavated samples of charcoal from the many brick kilns along the wall, and samples from the Gorgan Wall and the smaller Wall of Tammishe; OSL and radiocarbon dating indicated a date for both walls in the late 5th or 6th century CE.^[3]

• Gorgan has many traditional buildings, with tiled sloping roofs and wooden balconies such as Emarat-e-Agha Mohammad Khani and the Friday Mosque which dates back to the Seljuk era.

The Great Wall of Gorgan (also called the Gorgan Defense Wall and Sadd-e Eskandar) is an ancient defensive facility located in the Gorgan region of northeastern Iran. ... The tower as it stands today. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... High-altitude aerial view of irrigation in the Heart of the Sahara Irrigation (in agriculture) is the replacement or supplementation of rainfall with water from another source in order to grow crops. ... For other uses, see Canal (disambiguation). ... Parthia at its greatest extent under Mithridates II (123–88 BC) Capital Ctesiphon, Ecbatana Government Monarchy [[Category:Former monarchies}}|Parthia, 247 BC]] History  - Established 247 BC  - Disestablished 220 AD Parthian votive relief. ... The Great Wall of China (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; literally Long wall) or (simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; literally The long wall of 10,000 Li (里)[1]) is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in China, built, rebuilt, and maintained between the 5th century BC and the 16th... Sassanid Empire at its greatest extent The Sassanid dynasty (also Sassanian) was the name given to the kings of Persia during the era of the second Persian Empire, from 224 until 651, when the last Sassanid shah, Yazdegerd III, lost a 14-year struggle to drive out the Umayyad Caliphate... The Seljuk coat of arms was a double headed eagle The Seljuk Turks (also Seldjuk, Seldjuq, Seljuq; in modern Turkish Selçuklular; in Persian سلجوقيان SaljÅ«qiyān; in Arabic سلجوق SaljÅ«q, or السلاجقة al-Salājiqa) were a major branch of the Oghuz Turks and a dynasty that ruled parts of...

Natural Attractions

• Ashooradeh Island
• Deraznou mountain top
• Golestan National Park
• Nahar-Khoran forests
• Ziarat hot spring
• Tooskestan
• Jahan-Nama mountain top area

Colleges and universities

• Islamic Azad University of Gorgan
• Golestan University of Medical Sciences [2]
• Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources
• Mirdamad Institute of Higher Education
• Lamei Gorgani Institue of higher Education

Islamic Azad University of Gorgan (also known as Azad University of Gorgan) is a campus of Islamic Azad University system in Iran. ... Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources was founded in 1957 and was the first specialized agricultural university of Iran. ...

Governors General (Ostandars) of the Golestan Province

• Yahya Mahmoodzadeh is the current (April 2008) governor general of Golestan province. He has been in office since April 2007 to present, i.e. April 2008.

Previous governors general

Other governors general of the province prior to Mr Y. Mahmoodzadeh, and since the foundation of the province (Feb. 1998) have been as follows:

• 1- Seyyed Ebrahim Derazgissoo.
• 2- Ali Asghar Ahmadi.
• 3- Hadi Pazhoohesh-Jahromi (Acting Governor General for 5 months).
• 4- Mohammad Hashem Mohaimeni (or Mohaymeni).
• 5- Ali Mohammad Shaeri.
• 6- Reza Anjom-Shoaa (Acting Governor General for 4 months).

References

Encyclopædia Iranica is a project in Columbia Universitys Center for Iranian studies, to create an English language encyclopedia about Iran and Persia. ...

External links

• Gorgan in German Wikipedia
• Gorgan Homepage by Tirdad Gorgani
• A Gorgani folk-song sung by Shusha Guppy in the 1970s: Lullaby.

Coordinates: 36°50′N, 54°29′E Shushā Guppy Shushā (Shamsi) Guppy (Persian: شوشا (شمسی) گوپی), née Shamsi Assār [1] (شمسی عصار) (December 24, 1935, Tehran, Iran — March 21, 2008, London, United Kingdom), was a writer, editor and - under the name of Shusha - a singer of Persian and Western folk-songs. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...