Where is GORGAN?

Golestan National Park GORGAN Gorgan also spelled GURGAN, formerly ASTARABAD or ASTERABAD , town, north-central, IRAN. It is situated along a small tributary of the Qareh River, 23 miles (37 km) from the Caspian Sea. The town, in existence since Achaemenian times, long suffered from inroads of the Turkmen tribes who occupied the plain north of the Qareh River and was subjected to incessant Qajar-Turkmen tribal conflicts in the 19th century. It was renamed Gorgan in the 1930s after being devastated by an earthquake. Articles of trade include cereals, soap, and carpets. In modern times the plain around Gorgan has become a flourishing granary. Pop. (1986) 139,430; (1991) 162,468. IRAN is among countries where various tribes and clans live peacefully side by side. Turkomen Playing GORGAN These tribes may differ from each other in language, religion, life style, dress, customs and rites or generally speaking, culture; but all of them benefit from a general civilization and culture. The tribes of IRAN constitute about one tenth of the population and occupy about one third of the surface area of IRAN. The victory of the revolution of IRAN (1979) generated this ray of hope in the minds of tribes of IRAN that positive steps would be taken regarding their means of sustenance and that they would be able to pass on their cultural tradition to the young generation . They would preserve their cultural and social identity. One of the glorious rites and traditions of the tribes of IRAN is related to festivities and wedding celebrations which have always been accompanied by various kinds of sports. Such sports generally play a special role in the health of the tribes and generate elation and vitality in the young, and even the old generation.

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