- Miankaleh peninsula
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Miyānkāle peninsula (Persian: شبه جزیره میانکاله) is a narrow but long peninsula in Māzandarān Province in the north of Iran situated in the extreme south-eastern part of the Caspian Sea. The long and narrow peninsula is 48 km long, and between 1300 and 3200 meters wide.
It sets apart the Gorgan Bay from the Caspian Sea. The elevation of the peninsula from the sea level is 23 meters and four villages are situated on it namely: Ashuradeh, Qezel-e shomali, Qezel-Mehdi and Qavasatl. The city situated at the opposite side of the peninsula's end is Bandar Torkaman. The island of Ashuradeh lies off the eastern tip of the peninsula.
Contents
Ecology
Miankaleh peninsula is one of the richest ecological havens in West Asia and perhaps in the whole world. It is home to many unique Caspian bird and reptile species native to this region. It's also a very important internationally-recognized refuge for migratory birds.
The peninsula, with Gorgan Bay, was designated a Ramsar site in 1975.[1]
Threat
This nature reserve is unfortunately highly under threat by Industry & Tourism. While tourism-related activities continue to pollute the area, the Iranian government plans to build a huge hotel complex right in the middle of this nature park. Parts of the peninsula have already been sold by the government for industrial & residential purposes. The number of migratory birds has fallen significantly during the past few years. Extensive fishing & hunting has damaged the ecological balance & many species are either moribund or under threat of total extinction.
References
Source
- Bakhtiyari, Sa'id, Atlas-e gitashenasi-ye Ostanha-ye Iran (Geographical atlas of Iran's provinces), Tehran: 1383 H.sh., p.168.
Mazandaran Province
Capital Counties and Cities Fereydunkenar CountyFereydunkenarGalugah CountyGalugahJuybar · Kuhi KheylSurakQaem Shahr CountyRamsar · Ketalem and Sadat ShahrSights Aab pari · Alasht · Babolsar · Badab-e Surt natural site · Dasht-e Naz national Park Sari · Larijan spa · Ghermerez spa · Qa'em Shahr's Imamzadeh kati · Sisangan national Park, Nowshahr · Challdareh national Park, Tonekabon · Veresk Bridge · Mohammad Hassan Khan Qajar's Bridge · Namakabrood's aerial tramway · Javaherdeh · Nima Yooshij's house in Yoush · Khestpol Bridge in Qa'em Shahr · Valasht lake, Kelardasht · Saadatmahaleh, Sari · Avidar lake Nowshahr · Lar Dam · Alam-Kuh · Palaeolithic caves of Kamarband’, and Hotu , Sari · Waterfall and Malekbahman castle of Shahandasht · Galehgardan, Tonekabon · Palace of Ramsar · Safavid gardens of Behshahr · Babol museum · Khoshedaran Museum of natural history, Fereydoon Kenar · Kandelus museum,near Chaloos · Sari's clock square · Rahband · Ramsar's old hotel ·Categories:- Peninsulas of Iran
- Biosphere reserves of Iran
- Ramsar sites in Iran
- Caspian Sea
- Iran geography stubs
- Maps of Mazandaran
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