Astara آستارا |
|
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city | |
Coordinates: 38°25′45″N 48°52′19″E / 38.42917°N 48.87194°ECoordinates: 38°25′45″N 48°52′19″E / 38.42917°N 48.87194°E | |
Country | Iran |
Province | Gilan |
County | Astara |
Bakhsh | Central |
Government | |
• Mayor | Oruj-Ali Kuhi |
• Parliament | Vali Dadashi |
Population (2011) | |
• Total |
City: 46,805 County: 86,757 |
Time zone | IRST (UTC+3:30) |
• Summer (DST) | IRDT (UTC+4:30) |
City: 46,805
Astara (pronounced [ɒstaɾɒ]; Persian: آستارا, also Romanized as Āstārā) is a city in and the capital of Astara County, Gilan Province, Iran. At the 2011 census, its population was 86,757 in 25,192 families. It lies on the border with Azerbaijan Republic and on the Caspian Sea. It is a relatively important border trade center between Iran and the Caucasus.
Rice has been cultivated in this region for many years, where some indigenous cultivars (landrace) were conventionally bred by farmers.
Astara has a humid subtropical climate with cold, wet winters and hot, humid summers.
An extension of the Qazvin line over Resht to reach Astara is planned to connect the Iranian railway network to the Azerbaijan broad gauge railway along the shore of the Caspian sea headed north.