Golestan province

Province of Iran

"Golestan" redirects here. For other uses, see Golestan (disambiguation).

Province in Region 1, Iran

Golestan Province

Persian: استان گلستان

Province

Gonbad-e Qavus tower

Location of Golestan province within Iran

Coordinates: 37°20′N 55°09′E﻿ / ﻿37.333°N 55.150°E﻿ / 37.333; 55.150[2]
Country| Iran
Region| Region 1[1]
Capital| Gorgan
Counties| 14
Government

• Governor-general| Ali-Asghar Tahmasbi (Independent)
Area

[3]

• Total

| 20,367 km2 (7,864 sq mi)
Population

(2016)[4]

• Total

| 1,868,819
• Density| 92/km2 (240/sq mi)
Time zone| UTC+03:30 (IRST)
Area code| 017
Main language(s)| Persian Mazandarani
Turkmen
[5]
HDI (2017)| 0.778[6]
high · 20th
Website| http://golestanp.ir/

Golestan province (Persian: استان گلستان)[a] is one of the 31 provinces of Iran, located in the northeast of the country and southeast of the Caspian Sea. Its capital is the city of Gorgan,[7] formerly called Esterabad until 1937. Golestan was split off from Mazandaran Province in 1997.

Golestan Province borders Turkmenistan to the north. One of the key border points between the two countries is Incheh Borun, which serves as a vital crossing point.[8]

The province was made a part of Region 1 upon the division of the provinces into 5 regions, solely for coordination and development purposes, on 22 June 2014.[1] The majority of its population are Sunni Muslims.[9][10]

## Etymology

[edit]

Gulistan, Golestan, or Golastan translates to "gul-" meaning "flower" and "-stan" meaning "land" or "region." Golestan, therefore, literally means "land of flowers" in Iranian languages (e.g., Persian, Kurdish, and Mazandarani). This is a common toponym in countries with Persian linguistic roots (see Gulistan).

The capital of Gorgan derives its name from a wider region known historically as Gorgân (گرگان), Middle Persian Gurgān, and Old Persian Varkāna (in the Behistun Inscription) meaning "land of wolves".[11] This is also the root of the Ancient Greek Ὑρκανία (Hyrkanía) and Latin Hyrcania. Wild wolves are still found in Golestan.

## History

[edit]

Map of the Abbasid Caliphate showing Gorgan province, forerunner to modern-day Golestan province

Human settlements in this area date back to 10,000 BC. Evidence of the ancient city of Jorjan can still be seen near the current city of Gonbad-e Kavus. It was an important city of Persia located on the Silk Road.

Under Achaemenid Iran, it seems to have been administered as a sub-province of Parthia and is not named separately in the provincial lists of Darius and Xerxes. The Hyrcanians, however, under the leadership of Megapanus, are mentioned by Herodotus[12] in his list of Xerxes' army during the invasion of Greece.[11]

## Demographics

[edit]

### Language and ethnicity

[edit]

Linguistic Map of Golestan province

In 2006, the Ministry of Education of Iran estimated the ethnic breakdown of the province to be:

* Turkmens: 34.20%
* Mazandaranis: 30.40%[13][14][15]
* Sistanis & Persians: 14.90%
* Baluchis: 10.90%
* Qizilbash: 7.30%
* Others (including Azeris, Kazakhs, Kurds, Armenians and Georgians): 2.3%

The Mazandaranis who inhabit the foothills to Shah Pasand were subsumed under the rubric "Persian" by these official statistics.

The Persians/Mazandaranis are considered by nearly all inhabitants of the province to be "the old natives" while all others are considered ethnic immigrants in the past.

Most Mazandaranis live in Gorgan, Ali Abad, Kordkuy, Bandar-e Gaz and Gonbad-e Kavus. They speak Mazanderani language.[14][16][13][15][17]

The Turkmens reside in the north of the province, a plain called Turkmen Sahra. Since the 15th century, these formerly nomadic people have lived in this area, the main cities of which are Gonbad-e Kavus and Bandar Torkaman. Turkmens are Sunni Muslim. They form a sizable minority in cities such as Gorgan, Ali Abad, Kalaleh, and many eastern townships.

Azeris and the Qizilbash predate the Turkmen by centuries and have in time become completely Shia, and therefore, culturally associated with the Persians and other Shias.

The Sistani Persians and the Baluch are relatively recent arrivals and date back to the early 20th century. They are still arriving in the area in some numbers due to the lasting drought in their home areas of Sistan.

The people of Kordkuy are originally from the Kurdish areas of west Iran, Kermanshah and Kurdistan provinces. They belong to the Kord-rostami tribe and are also found in significant numbers in other cities like Gorgan and Bandare Gaz. Subtribes of the Kord-Rostami tribe are the Aghili and Sepanlou tribes. Moreover, the city of Maraveh Tappeh has a mixed population of Sunni Turkmens and Shia Kurds.[18]

Other ethnic groups such as Kazakhs, Khorasani Kurds, Georgians, and Armenians also reside in this area, and have preserved their traditions and rituals.

A small minority of followers of the Baháʼí faith also live in Golestan (in Shahpasand).[5][19][20]

### Population

[edit]

At the time of the 2006 National Census, the province's population was 1,593,055 in 379,354 households.[21] The following census in 2011 showed an increase in population to 1,777,014 in 482,842 households.[22] The 2016 census measured the population of the province as 1,868,819 in 550,249 households.[4]

### Administrative divisions

[edit]

The population history and structural changes of Golestan province's administrative divisions over three consecutive censuses are shown in the following table.

Golestan Province  Counties | 2006[21] | 2011[22] | 2016[4]

|
|
|

Aliabad-e Katul[b] | 123,923 | 132,757 | 140,709
Aqqala | 109,440 | 124,185 | 132,733
Azadshahr | 88,251 | 91,767 | 96,803
Bandar-e Gaz | 46,179 | 46,315 | 46,130
Galikash[c] | — | 59,975 | 63,173
Gomishan[d] | — | 63,447 | 68,773
Gonbad-e Kavus | 283,331 | 325,789 | 348,744
Gorgan | 393,887 | 462,455 | 480,541
Kalaleh | 149,857 | 110,473 | 117,319
Kordkuy | 67,427 | 70,244 | 71,270
Maraveh Tappeh[e] | — | 55,821 | 60,953
Minudasht | 126,676 | 75,659 | 75,483
Ramian | 81,866 | 85,324 | 86,210
Torkaman | 122,218 | 72,803 | 79,978
Total | 1,593,055 | 1,777,014 | 1,868,819

### Cities

[edit]

According to the 2016 census, 1,015,774 people (over 54% of the population of Golestan province) live in the following cities:[4]

City | Population

|

Aliabad-e Katul | 52,838
Anbar Olum | 7,003
Aqqala | 35,116
Azadshahr | 43,760
Bandar Torkaman | 53,970
Bandar-e Gaz | 20,742
Daland | 20,754
Faraghi | 5,777
Fazelabad | 19,461
Galikash | 23,394
Gomishan | 19,191
Gonbad-e Kavus | 151,910
Gorgan | 350,676
Incheh Borun | 2,494
Jelin | 7,417
Kalaleh | 36,176
Khan Bebin | 10,878
Kordkuy | 39,881
Maraveh Tappeh | 8,671
Mazraeh | 4,009
Minudasht | 30,085
Neginshahr | 8,138
Now Deh Khanduz | 2,989
Now Kandeh | 6,650
Ramian | 12,426
Sangdevin | 4,203
Sarkhon Kalateh | 7,589
Siminshahr | 17,205
Tatar-e Olya | 4,782

## Culture

[edit]

The world's tallest brick structure of its kind, the Gonbad-e Qabus tower, stands in this province.

## Climate and geography

[edit]

Golestan 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 the mountains faces northeast and gradually decreases in height. The highest point of the province is Shavar, with a height of 3,945 meters. Two of the main rivers are the Gharasu and Gorganrud.

### Golestan National Park

[edit]

See also: Geography of Iran and Environmental issues in Iran

Golestan National Park in northern Iran is faced with the construction of a road through the forest, allegedly for the ease of traffic for the villagers and woodmen but at the expense of losing the only national park in Iran throughout which a range of different climates (humidity near the Caspian Sea and desert farther south) is spread.

Golestan National Park is Iran's biggest national park which spans three provinces, Golestan, Mazandaran, and North Khorasan. Surprisingly, the authorities ignore repeated calls by experts to construct such roads around, instead of through, the forests, which in this way would no longer threaten animal and plant life.

## Colleges and universities

[edit]

* Golestan University
* Golestan University of Medical Sciences[27]
* Gonbad Kavous University
* Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
* Islamic Azad University of Azadshahr
* Islamic Azad University of Gorgan
* Islamic Azad University of Ali Abad katool[28]

## See also

[edit]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Also romanized as Ostân-e Golestân
2. ^ Formerly Aliabad County[23]
3. ^ Separated from Minudasht County[24]
4. ^ Separated from Torkaman County[25]
5. ^ Separated from Kalaleh County[26]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "استان‌های کشور به ۵ منطقه تقسیم شدند". hamshahrionline.ir. 22 June 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
2. ^ OpenStreetMap contributors (15 October 2024). "Golestan Province" (Map). OpenStreetMap (in Persian). Retrieved 15 October 2024.
3. ^ http://www.sci.org.ir/content/userfiles/_sci_en/sci_en/sel/year85/f1/CS_01_4.HTM [permanent dead link] Iranian Statistical Yearbook 1385
4. ^ a b c d Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1395 (2016): Golestan Province. amar.org.ir (Report) (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. Archived from the original (Excel) on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
5. ^ a b "آشنایی با استان گلستان". hamshahrionline.ir. 16 March 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
6. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
7. ^ "Golestan Province establishment law". Lamtakam (in Persian). Guardian Council. 16 September 1376. Archived from the original on 14 February 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
8. ^ Tavosi, Hasan; Kordshoran, Mansour. "Investigating the economic effects of smuggling on border cities Case study of Incheh Borun city - Gonbad Kavous - Golestan province". Journal of Hidden Economy. pp. 127–144.
9. ^ سال, سایت خبری تحلیلی شعار. "اقوام ساکن در استان گلستان". fa.
10. ^ "Golestan". iranrahno.com. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
11. ^ a b "Gorgān". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
12. ^ Herodotus, Histories, 7.62
13. ^ a b "زبان تبری". ahouraa.ir. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
14. ^ a b "GORGĀNI DIALECT – Encyclopaedia Iranica". www.iranicaonline.org.
15. ^ a b میردیلمی، سیدضیاء، تاریخ کتول، ناشر مؤلف، ص ۲۸ و ۲۱.
16. ^ احسن التّقاسیم فی معرفة الاقالیم، ص ۳۶۸
17. ^ واژه‌نامه بزرگ تبری، گروه پدید آورندگان به سرپرستی: جهانگیر نصراشرفی و حیسن صمدی، سال 1377، جلد اول، ص 31
18. ^ "درگیری بین عشایر کرد و ترکمن ها در مراوه تپه". 27 December 2016.
19. ^ "Shodhganga : a reservoir of Indian theses @ INFLIBNET" (PDF). Retrieved 9 June 2023.
20. ^ The Geography of Golestan Province, Educational Ministry of Iran, 2006
21. ^ a b Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1385 (2006): Golestan Province. amar.org.ir (Report) (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. Archived from the original (Excel) on 20 September 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
22. ^ a b Census of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1390 (2011): Golestan Province. irandataportal.syr.edu (Report) (in Persian). The Statistical Center of Iran. Archived from the original (Excel) on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2022 – via Iran Data Portal, Syracuse University.
23. ^ Jahangiri, Ishaq (28 January 2020) [Approved 28 October 1398]. Approval regarding changing the name of Aliabad County, Golestan province to Aliabad-e Katul. sdil.ac.ir (Report) (in Persian). Ministry of the Interior, Cabinet of Ministers. Proposal 133428; Notification 131617/T57061AH. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2025 – via Shahr Danesh Legal Research Institute.
24. ^ "Introduction of Galikash County". galikesh.ir (in Persian). Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gonbad-e Kavus County. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
25. ^ Davodi, Parviz (c. 2024) [Approved 23 January 1388]. Approval letter regarding national divisions in Torkaman County. lamtakam.com (Report) (in Persian). Ministry of the Interior, Council of Ministers. Proposal 100837/42/1; Notification 19104/T41227H. Archived from the original on 13 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024 – via Lam ta Kam.
26. ^ Davodi, Parviz (2 September 1392) [Approved 18 September 1386]. Letter of approval regarding the reforms of national divisions in Golestan province. rc.majlis.ir (Report) (in Persian). Ministry of the Interior, Political-Defense Commission of the Government Board. Proposal 130413/42/4/1; Notification 159459/T38028K. Archived from the original on 23 November 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2023 – via Research Center of the System of Laws of the Islamic Council of the Farabi Library of Mobile Users.
27. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2005.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
28. ^ "Home". aliabadiau.ac.ir.

## External links

[edit]

* The Provincial Cultural Heritage Organization

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Golestan province

|  | Balkan province,  Turkmenistan |

|
|

|  |
Caspian Sea |

Golestan province

| North Khorasan province
|  |
Mazandaran province | Semnan province |

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* FAST

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Israel

Other|

* IdRef

* v
* t
* e

Provinces of Iran

* Alborz
* Ardabil
* Bushehr
* Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari
* East Azerbaijan
* Fars
* Gilan
* Golestan
* Hamadan
* Hormozgan
* Ilam
* Isfahan
* Kerman
* Kermanshah
* Khuzestan
* Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad
* Kurdistan
* Lorestan
* Markazi
* Mazandaran
* North Khorasan
* Qazvin
* Qom
* Razavi Khorasan
* Semnan
* Sistan and Baluchestan
* South Khorasan
* Tehran
* West Azerbaijan
* Yazd
* Zanjan

* v
* t
* e

Golestan province, Iran

Capital|

* Gorgan

Counties and cities|

| Aliabad County|

* Aliabad-e Katul
* Fazelabad
* Mazraeh
* Sangdevin

|

Aqqala County|

* Aqqala
* Anbar Olum

Azadshahr County|

* Azadshahr
* Neginshahr
* Now Deh Khanduz

Bandar-e Gaz County|

* Bandar-e Gaz
* Now Kandeh

Galikash County|

* Galikash
* Sadeqabad

Gomishan County|

* Gomish Tappeh(Gomishan)
* Siminshahr

Gonbad-e Qabus County|

* Gonbad-e Qabus
* Incheh Borun
* Korand

Gorgan County|

* Gorgan
* Jelin
* Qoroq
* Sarkhon Kalateh

Kalaleh County|

* Kalaleh
* Faraghi

Kordkuy County|

* Kordkuy

Maraveh Tappeh County|

* Maraveh Tappeh
* Golidagh

Minudasht County|

* Minudasht
* Alqajar
* Dowzeyn

Ramian County|

* Ramian
* Daland
* Khan Bebin
* Tatar-e Olya

Torkaman County|

* Bandar Torkaman
* Si Joval

Sights|

* Alma Gol Lake
* Alangdareh
* Ashuradeh
* Great Wall of Gorgan
* Golestan National Park
* Gonbad-e Qabus Tower
* ShirAbad Waterfall
* Naharkhoran
* Gomishan lake
* Voshmgir dam
* Miankaleh peninsula
* Makhtum Quli Farghi's mausoleum
* Radkan Dome

populated places|

* List of cities, towns and villages in Golestan Province

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template