GOLESTAN

Golestan province stretches across 22022 sq.km comprising 7 townships, 16 districts and 45 rural districts. Based on 1996 census its population is about 1426288. Golestan province is geographically uneven being clearly divided into plain and mountainous region. Almost throughout the state the ground slop reduces toward plain and the Caspian sea. Since early years of Islamic calendar and even before that, this region was the vastest and the most cultivated land located on the north part of Iran. Up to 7th century it was called Gorgan state and from the 7th to 14th century came to be called Astarabade. From archeological and historical points of view, it has a 6000 year history. In fact it is one of the oldest states of Iran and the center of main culture of Aryans. In the past its extent alone was more than Mazandran and Gilanprovinces, and was compared with big regions such as Saadeh and kharazm. From the era of the Achaemenid and afterwards this province was called Hirkany or Hirkania. It was regarded as one of the most famous states in Iran in the era of the Samanides and with some other states made a region called khoorasan-e Iran. By the arrival of Islam and the beginning of Golden Era, it had an important role in blossoming of Islamic culture. There were  local but renowned poets such as Abdolghaher Gorgani, Sayed Esmaeel Gorgani, Mirdamad, Mirfenderski and also Fakhrodin Asad Gorgani.


        Tourist Complex of Nahar Khoran

Gorgan

There are several historically significant traces such as the remains of the old town and its ancient hill. Gorgan most important religious and historical places are:

Emam Zade Noor, Tourang Tapeh, Sardar Mosque, Dar-al-shafe mosque, Agh Ghala Bridge, Eskandar Dam, Jame Mosque and Agha Mohammad khan palace.

Minoodasht:

The most important places in Minodasht are, the shrine of Makhtom Gholy-e Faraghi , religious school of Karim Ehsan and Khaled Ebn-Nabi.

Kordkooy:

One of the historical places of this region is the Radkan tower which belongs to 5th century. Emamzade Roshanabad and Emamzade Alang are Kordkoy important holy places.

Bandar Gaz:

This port city has some important holy places like: Emamzade Sefidchal, Emamzade Habib-Allah (Nowkande) and Emamzade Sartagh.

Gombad:

Gombad has a spectacular tomb tower, a stunning memorial to the remarkable Ghabus (of which 'Kavus' is a corruption), a prince, poet, scholar, general and patron of the arts. He ruled the surrounding region at the turn of the 11th century and decided to build a monument to last forever. The 55m (180ft) tower was completed in 1006, six years before Ghabus was slain .

Gombad is 93km (58mi) north-east of Gorgan, a sizeable town in northern Iran near the Caspian Sea.