All About Rasht, Our Home Town

Rasht

Rasht, also spelled Resht is the provincial capital city of Guilan in north-central Iran. It lies about 24 kilometers south of the Caspian Sea on a branch of the Safid River, where the higher ground merges into the marshlands fringing the Pahlavi Mordab. Rasht's importance as the main city of the Guilan region dates from Russia's southward expansion in the 17th century. The city suffered severely during World Wars I and II from Russian occupation and afterward from economic decline.

The city is surrounded by rice fields and areas of half-cleared jungle. The mostly two-storied houses have much woodwork, such as broad verandas and overhanging eaves; roofs are red-tiled, and the houses often are raised from the ground. Modernization is confined to the main streets.

Besides being a cultural centre, Rasht is a market and processing centre for rice, tea, peanuts, and silk; soap, glass, razor blades, and jute bags also are manufactured. In 1962 a large dam on the Safid River was completed. Rasht is connected by road with the Caspian port of Bandar-e Pahlavi, Tehran, and Tabriz; it also has an airport. Pop. (1986) 290,897.

The Caspian Sea rim is famous for its beautiful nature, where the Alborz mountain range meets the plain border of the Caspian Sea. The weather is rather cool in winter and mild and humid in summer. Heavy rain falls are expected in Autumn and Spring. It resembles Tokyo's weather throughout a year.

Rasht, the centre of Guilan province, is an important industrial and agricultural city. Nearly 25% of Iran's industrial output and almost 90% of Iran's rice is grown in this region.

Rasht is connected to Tehran via highway and asphalt road. The 4-5 hour drive in summer time will let you pass through the Alborz mountain range, leave behind the summer heat and have a pleasant vacation on the beaches of the Caspian Sea. Finding tourist class hotels and beautiful villas for rent is no problem at all. Visiting Masuleh, Chaloos and Amol in Maszandaran province and Lahijan and Bandar Pahlavi in Guilan are recommended. When in Guilan, don't forget to taste Koloocheh (a kind of sweet cookie stuffed with walnuts or hazelnuts). It will be a good souvenir, too. However, the most expensive and prestigious souvenir is Persian Caviar that can only be found in this region.

Ramsar

Situated in the province of Mazandaran is a western Caspian resort town that lies 20 meters above sea level, 280 Kilometers north west of Tehran via Chalus on a picturesque hilly road that is closed part of the winter. Ramsar is approximately 450 km from Qazvin. The road from Rasht is usually open throughout the year.

Ramsar is the best resort of the Caspian, and by far the most beautiful site of the whole coast. Wooded hills roll down nearly to the beach itself while the powerful outlines of the Alborz mountain range form an impressive background. The thin coastal strip is covered with rich vegetation including palm and orange-trees among the flower-beds.

Houses of Limakesh

Ramsar's two luxury hotels are set on two neighbouring terraces looking out upon a restful landscape. The oldest hotel has old-fashioned charm: extraordinary cast-iron statues covered with aluminium paint produce a wildly rococco effect. A long alley of palm-trees leads from the hotels to the beach.

Towards Chalus the forest sweeps right down to the sea. Large picnic sites have been organized under the oaks and elms.