Lahijan

Infobox Settlement
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image_caption = The Estakhr of Lahijan seen from the top of Sheitan Koh


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pushpin_map_caption =Location in Iran
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = Province
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subdivision_name1 = Gilan Province
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population_total = 61,953
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latd=37|latm=12|lats=|latNS=N
longd=50|longm=0|longs=|longEW=E
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Lahijan (Persian: لاهيجان "Lāhijān") is a city in Iran's North-Western Gilan province, on the shores of Caspian Sea and south of Langrood. It had an estimated population of 61,953 in 2005. [http://www.mongabay.com/igapo/2005_world_city_populations/Iran.html]

It is historically the first town in Iran to have tea plantations. With its climate, soil quality and fresh spring water Lahijan stands to have the largest area of tea cultivation in Iran. "Lahijan Spring Tea" is the best quality tea produced in the country.

Prince Mohammad Mirza known as "Kashef-ol-Saltaneh" who was born in Lahijan was the first mayor of Tehran. As the Iranian ambassador to India under British rule, he knew the British would not allow him to learn about the secrets of tea production, as it was their biggest business in India at the time. So being fluent in French, the prince pretended to be a French laborer and started to work in the tea plantations and factories to learn how to produce tea. Ultimately his plan was to take back some samples of this tea to Iran to cultivate. He was successful in this endeavor only because of his diplomatic immunity which stopped the British from searching his secretly stashed sample. His mausoleum in Lahijan is now part of the "Iran Tea Museum".

Lahijan's rice, tea, silk and cookies (culucheh) are also well-known and sold all over the country. The nearest Caspian beach to Lahijan is "Chamkhaleh Beach". Lahijan is said to be one of the most beautiful cities in Gilan. In the summer of 2006, a gondola was opened with the help of an Austrian firm. This and the “Estakhreh Lahijan” or Lake of Lahijan are major tourist attractions.

The city of Lahijan is home to the Islamic Azad University. [http://www.iau-lahijan.ac.ir] The people of Lahijan for many centuries endorsed the advancement of literacy and science.

Climate & Weather

Lahijan enjoys a climate known as 'moderate Caspian'. This weather pattern emerged from the influence of the currents of both the Alborz Mountains and the Caspian Sea. The Talesh Mountains are stretched in a north to south direction, and the Alborz Mountains in an east to west direction. These serve as a barrier against the humid north-west Caspian winds and withhold the penetration of wind bearing vapors towards Iran's mainland, causing heavy rainfall in Gilan during the Spring and Fall seasons.

Lahijan with a weather more favorable than the other points in the Gilan has warmer winters and cooler summers. Freezing temperatures are seldom reported in the coastal areas, however it is not odd for Lahijan to experience periods of near blizzard conditions during the winter. The amount of rainfall in Lahijan depends on the winds bearing vapor that blow from the North West in winter, from the East in spring and from the West in summer and autumn. These winds carry the vapor and humidity towards the plains causing heavy and prolonged rainfalls.

Neighborhoods and Districts

*Keshavarzi
*Khamir Kalaye
*Gharib Abad
*Amir Shahid
*Pordesar
*Shishe Garan
*Ordubazar
*Khazar
*Karegar (Shahid Rajayi)
*Andisheh
*Sareshke(Sereshke)

Places of interest

* Sheitan Koh (Devils Hill)
* Baam-e-Sabz, The Lahijan Observation Point
* Lahijan Pool (Estakhr)
* Four King Tomb (Char Padeshah)
* Golshan Bath
* Sheikh Zahed Gilani Tomb
* Shen Chal (near the village of Soostan)
* Lahijan Fresh Produce Market No.1 and No.2
* Tea Museum of Iran
* Brick Bridge (Kheshti Pol)
* Chamkhaleh Beach
* Ahrar Ropeway
* Amjadossoltan (Tomb of Farah Pahlavi(Diba)'s ancestor)

Panorama

pecial Ceremonys

Karb (Kareb or cymbal) Karb is made of two pieces of thick stick or wood which are held by the player's two hands through a leather belt. This apparently replaces the dangerous stone beating. Karb is normally played in group through special rhythm and is popular in Aran, Kashan, some districts in Semnan as well as Sabzevar and Lahijan. Stone (karb) beating is symbolic rite which is popular in several parts of the country accompanied by special melodies. Normally two pieces of stone are beaten on the sides of the mourner by special manners and movements accompanied by lamentation song. Apparently as a result of the physical damage caused by stones on the body, wood stick is gradually replacing stone. Lately instead of stone beating other terms such as Karbzani or Karebzani, playing cymbals and ratchets are used. In Mazandaran and some other regions like Komesh, south of Alborz mountain, the term Kareb and in Gilan the term Karb and in Aran (Kashan), cymbal is customary. This ceremony needs considerable physical strength by the performers and is popular in Lahijan and Aran, a district in Kashan, as well as Semnan and Sabzevar.

karna nawazi:Karna (trumpet or horn) At certain villages in Gilan such as Mashk, Lasht, and Rudbeneh in Lahijan long Karnas (trumpets or horns) are used in Ashura ceremony. The main body of the trumpet or horn is made of reed at the end of which it has a bend like a staff made of squash. It has a wooden mouthpiece at the other end of the trumpet to blow into the pipe. This special trumpet is used both in passion play and other Ashurayi ceremonies and is called martyrdom song. At certain rituals one of the two singers and a group of Karna players play alternately. The other important tradition is chehel menbar (forty sites) which occurs in the night before the martyrdom of imam hussein.

Lahijan in an Ancient Map

For many centuries Lahijan has been one of the centers of advancement in northern Iran. This is illustrated through an ancient map such as this on. Lahijan is located a little below the center of the image. The map is inverted with the south representing the top portion of the map and the north representing the lower portion. Other famous regions such as the Caspian Sea with four islands, the provinces of Khorasan, Fars and the Alborz mountain range are also illustrated.

External links

* [http://guilan.net/ Guilan.net]