Golestan Province

Covering an area of 22,000 square kilometers, Golestan province is Located southeast of the Caspian Sea. It is Limited northward by Turkmenistan, southward by Semnan province, eastward by Northern Khorasan province and westward by the province of Mazandaran. There are three areas of mountain, foothill and plane and it has a Mediterranean and desert climate. Pirgerdkooh is the tallest mountain in the province and Galdin, Shahkooh, Zarivan and Khajeh-Qanbar are the other important mountains in the Golestan. This area enjoys an agricultural product such as wheat, cotton, oil seeds, grains, tobacco, rice, etc. Archaelogical surveys indicated that, owing to its favorable environmental conditions, Golestan province was one the most important residences of human beings in pre-historic, historic and Islamic periods. More than 20 tribes (Persian, Turkish, Kurdish, Turkmen, Baluch, Caucasian, Sistani …) live in Golestan province. The most important souvenirs of Golestan province are carpets, rugs, Turkmen cushion covers, Turkmen needlework, and jajims of mountainous area of Gorgan, the village handicrafts, fish and caviar. Gorgan, Aliabad Katoul, Ramian, Azad-shahr, Gonbad Kavos, Minou-dasht, Galikesh, Kalaleh, Maraveh Tappeh, Gomishan, Agh-ghala, Turkmen and Bandargaz are the cities of Golestan province. The best Iranian Caviar is obtained from sturgeon fish caught in locations close to the Miankaleh Bay and Gorgan Gulf. Vast plains in the north of the province provide a fertile land for agricultural and dairy produce. The area is also renowned for its biodiversity such that it already has four Ramsar Convention wetlands, one national park, and one

wildlife sanctuary and a protected area.

At least 9000 plant species are found in the region. A varied range of moist, semi-dry, dry and salt-tolerant species compose the vegetation cover of the province. Rivers and streams are originated from some 39 catchments distributed across the Province. Three main rivers with permanent water flow are named Atrak, Gorganrood, and Gharasu. These rivers have important roles in agricultural development where four major dams regulate their water resources and improve the efficiency of water usage that ultimately enhance economic development in the region.

The Golestan Province boasts one of the most diverse collections of habitats in the country. This is mostly a reflection of the fact that the area is composed of both rugged terrain in the form of mountains in the southern part and vast plains in the north. The microclimatic differences brought about by this situation and other factors have led to the diversity of habitats. These in turn have affected the diversity of flora and fauna inhabiting those habitats. Brown bear, wolf, fox, and leopard of the carnivores, red deer, fallow deer and roe deer of the large herbivores can be cited from among a list of regionally and internationally important fauna species living in the area. In order to protect the precious floral and faunal assets of the Province along with their habitats, a series of protected areas have been delimited and managed by the Iran Department of Environment. These include Golestan National Park in the east of the Province, Khosh-Yeilagh Wildlife Sanctuary in the south-east and Jahan Nama Protected Area in the south of the Province. Besides, of the 18 internationally recognised RAMSAR Wetlands of Iran, four fall in the Province. The Ala Gol, Adji Gol and Ulma Gol, all in the north, and Miankaleh Peninsula in the northwest of the Province harbour many important migratory and resident species of birds, while affecting their surrounding environments and providing food and water for the farmers.

Lakes in the Golestan Province have important influence on economic development of the region and the daily life of local people. Some of the lakes are classified as the resources of fresh water and in the others, brackish water creates unique ecosystems. The Gorgan Gulf covering around 400 square kilometers is one of the surface water resources in the region located in the southwest of the Golestan Province. The unique ecosystem of the Gorgan Gulf has crucial impact on habitat of cartilaginous fish and many migratory birds in the region. 

Most people in Golestan Province live in rural areas pursuing various agricultural activities. Livestock grazing, animal husbandry, aquaculture, silkworm reproduction, poultry farming, horticulture, apiculture, forestry and handicraft making are the main activities undertaken by the farmers. Around 570,000 hectares of the Province has been allocated for farming, 38.5% of which is irrigated and the rest is rain-fed. Wheat, cotton and sunflower comprise the main products. The main industrial activities revolve around food products, pulp and wood, fabric, chemical and pharmaceutical products, metallurgy, electric and electronic products.