Gorgan

{{Short description|City in Golestan province, Iran}} {{Redirect|Astarabad|the administrative division of Golestan province|Gorgan County|other places with the same name|Astarabad (disambiguation){{!}}Astarabad|and|Gorgan (disambiguation){{!}}Gorgan}}

{{Infobox settlement |official_name = Gorgan |native_name = {{langx|fa|گرگان}} |other_name = Esterabad |settlement_type = City |motto = |image_skyline ={{Photomontage | photo1a = Gorgan tower.jpg | photo2a = Masjed jame gorgan.jpg | photo3a = Gorgan Palace.jpg | photo4a = 3416276 رعایت مردم و خلوتی شهر گرگان.jpg | spacing = 2 | size = 250 | foot_montage = }} |imagesize = |image_caption = Gorgan Tower, Gorgan Mosque, Gorgan Palace, Roundabout |image_flag = |image_seal = |image_map = |mapsize = |map_caption = |pushpin_map = Iran  |pushpin_label_position = bottom  |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize = |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = Iran |subdivision_type1 = Province |subdivision_name1 = Golestan |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Gorgan |subdivision_type3 = District |subdivision_name3 = Central |established_title = |established_date = |area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = 64 |area_total_sq_mi = 24 |area_footnotes = |area_land_km2 = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_km2 = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |population_as_of = 2016 |population_footnotes = <ref name="2016 Golestan Province"/> |population_est = |population_est_as_of = |population_metro = |population_total = 350676 |population_density_km2 = auto |population_density_sq_mi = auto | population_blank1_title = Population Rank in Iran | population_blank1 = 24th |leader_title = Mayor |leader_name = Mohammad Reza Seyed Alangi<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://golestanejavan.ir/%D9%85%D9%87%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B3-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A7-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%DA%AF%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4/ |title=Golestane Javan |access-date=6 September 2023 |archive-date=6 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906185941/https://golestanejavan.ir/%D9%85%D9%87%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B3-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B6%D8%A7-%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1-%DA%AF%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |leader_title1 = City Council Chairperson |leader_name1 = Isa Mehri<ref>{{cite web| title="عیسی مهری" رئیس شورای شهر گرگان شد | website=خبرگزاری فارس | date=17 June 2023 | url=https://www.farsnews.ir/golestan/news/14020327000886/%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D9%85%D9%87%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D8%A6%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1-%DA%AF%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B4%D8%AF | language=fa | access-date=16 January 2024}}</ref> |timezone = IRST |utc_offset = +03:30 |coordinates = {{coord|36|50|13|N|54|26|14|E|dim:3km|display=inline,title}} |elevation_m = 155 |coordinates_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite map |author=((OpenStreetMap contributors)) |url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=36.836944&mlon=54.437222&zoom=14#map=14/36.83694/54.43722|website=OpenStreetMap |title=Shalikubi, Gorgan, بخش مرکزی [Central District], Gorgan County, Golestan Province, Iran|date=17 October 2024|access-date=17 October 2024|lang=fa}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Google Maps |title=RCPP+QVH Gorgan, Golestan Province, Iran |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/36°50'13.0%22N+54°26'14.0%22E/@36.836944,54.437222,9059m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m4!3m3!8m2!3d36.836944!4d54.437222?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D |access-date=15 December 2025}}</ref> |elevation_ft = | area_code = 017 |blank_name = Climate |blank_info = Csa |footnotes = {{GEOnet2|32FA880A453D3774E0440003BA962ED3}} }}

'''Gorgan''' ({{langx|fa|گرگان}}; {{IPA|fa|ɡoɾˈɡɒːn||Gorgan.ogg}}){{efn|Also romanized as '''Gorgān''', '''Gurgān''', and '''Gurgan'''; formerly '''Esterabad ''' (استرآباد; {{IPA|fa|ʔæsˌtæɾɒːˈbɒːd}}), also romanized as '''Astarābād''', '''Asterabad''', and '''Esterābād'''<ref>{{GEOnet3|-3064853}}</ref>}} is a city in the Central District of Gorgan County, Golestan province, Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county,<ref name="Golestan Province Structure"> {{cite web |orig-date={{lang|fa|rtl=yes|تاریخ تصویب}} (Approval date) 1376/09/16 (Iranian Jalali calendar) |date=7 December 1997  |script-title=fa:قانون تأسیس استان گلستان |trans-title=‌Law on the establishment of Golestan province |url=https://lamtakam.com/law/council_of_ministers/93027 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214001643/https://lamtakam.com/law/council_of_ministers/93027 |archive-date=14 February 2024 |access-date=5 December 2025 |website={{lang|fa|rtl=yes|لام تا کام}} [Lam ta Kam] |publisher={{lang|fa|rtl=yes|‌وزارت کشور}} [Ministry of the Interior] |agency={{lang|fa|rtl=yes|هیات وزیران}} [Council of Ministers] |language=fa |id={{lang|fa|rtl=yes|شناسه}} [ID] C28BD963-7CDE-4006-8DA9-E1DDA258246E. {{lang|fa|rtl=yes|شماره ثبت روزنامه رسمی}} [Official Gazette Registration Number] 15412.}}</ref> and the district.<ref name="Mazandaran Province Structure"> {{cite web |first=Hassan |last=Habibi |author-link=Hassan Habibi |orig-date={{lang|fa|rtl=yes|تاریخ تصویب}} (Approval date) 1369/06/21 (Iranian Jalali calendar) |date=12 September 1990  |script-title=fa:تصویب سازمان و سلسله تابعیت عناصر و واحدهای تقسیمات کوری استان مازندران به مرکزیت شهر ساری |trans-title=‌Approval of the organization and chain of citizenship of the elements and units of the divisions of Mazandaran province, centered in Sari city |url=https://lamtakam.com/law/council_of_ministers/113042 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114003543/https://lamtakam.com/law/council_of_ministers/113042 |archive-date=14 January 2024 |access-date=5 December 2025 |website={{lang|fa|rtl=yes|لام تا کام}} [Lam ta Kam] |publisher={{lang|fa|rtl=yes|‌وزارت کشور}} [Ministry of the Interior] |agency={{lang|fa|rtl=yes|کمیسیون سیاسی دفاعی هیأت دولت}} [Political Defense Commission of the Government Board] |language=fa |id={{lang|fa|rtl=yes|شناسه}} [ID] 6BCA9E6B-F7AD-441C-8A24-47D38564A5F5. {{lang|fa|rtl=yes|شماره دوره}} [Course number] 69, {{lang|fa|rtl=yes|شماره جلد}} [Volume number] 3.}}</ref> It lies approximately {{convert|400|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the northeast of the national capital Tehran, and some {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}} away from the Caspian Sea.

==History== {{Main|Hyrcania}} There are several archaeological sites near Gorgan, including Tureng Tepe and Shah Tepe, in which remains dating from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic eras. Some other important Neolithic sites in the area are Yarim Tepe, and Sange Chaxmaq. The nearby Shahroud Plain has many such sites. More than 50 are on the Gorgan Plain.<ref>Kourosh Roustaei (2017), [https://www.academia.edu/34167920 Neolithic developments in the Gorgan Plain, south-east of the Caspian Sea.] academia.edu</ref>

thumb|left|Historic wall of Gorgan signs According to the Greek historian Arrian, Zadracarta was the largest city of Hyrcania and the site of the "royal palace".<ref>{{cite book |last=Arrian |author-link=Arrian |date=1884 |title=The Anabasis of Alexander |location=London |publisher=Hodder and Stoughton |chapter=Chapter XXV: March to Bactra.—Bessus Aided by Satibaezanes.|page=191–193|volume=3 |others=Translated by E.J. Chinnock}}</ref> The term means "the yellow city", and it was given to it from the great number of oranges, lemons, and other fruit trees which grew in the outskirts of that city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/gorgan-v|title=GORGAN v. Pre-Islamic history – Encyclopaedia Iranica|last=electricpulp.com}}</ref>

Hyrcania became part of the Achaemenid Empire during the reign of Cyrus the Great (559–530 BC), its founder, or his successor Cambyses (530-522 BC).

The Great Wall of Gorgan, the second biggest defensive wall in the world, was built in the Parthian and Sasanian periods.

At the time of the Sasanians, "Gurgan" appeared as the name of a city, province capital, and province.<ref name="Iranica-Bivar">Bivar, A.D.H. "Gorgan" Encyclopædia Iranica [http://www.iranicaonline.org online]</ref>

Gorgan maintained its independence as a Zoroastrian state even after Persia was conquered by the Muslim Arabs in the 7th century.

In 1210, the city was invaded and sacked by the army of Kingdom of Georgia under command of the brothers Mkhargrdzeli.<ref>{{cite book |last=Yar-Shater |first=Ehsan |date=2010 |title=Encyclopaedia Iranica, Volume 2, Parts 5-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1kQOAQAAMAAJ |location=Abingdon, United Kingdom |publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul |page=892 |isbn=9780710090904 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Brosset |first=Marie-Felicite |date=1858 |title=Histoire de la Géorgie depuis l'Antiquité jusqu'au XIXe siècle |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_HfB0iPdpelgC|location=France |publisher=imprimerie de l'Académie Impériale des sciences |pages=468–472 }}</ref>

"Old Gorgan" was destroyed during the Mongol invasion in the 13th century, and the center of the region was moved to what was called "Astarabad", which is currently called "Gorgan".

Gorgan with its surrounding regions was sometimes considered part of the Tabaristan region.

Astarabad was an important political and religious city during the Qajar era.

==Demographics== thumb|300px|Linguistic Map of Golestan province

===Population=== At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 269,226 in 73,702 households.<ref name="2006 Golestan Province"> {{cite web |script-title=fa:سرشماري عمومي نفوس و مسكن 1385 : استان گلستان |trans-title=General Population and Housing Census 2006: Golestan Province |language=fa |website={{lang|fa|rtl=yes|مرکز آمار ایران}} [Statistical Centre of Iran] |url=http://www.amar.org.ir/DesktopModules/FTPManager/upload/upload2360/newjkh/newjkh/27.xls |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920085741/http://www.amar.org.ir/DesktopModules/FTPManager/upload/upload2360/newjkh/newjkh/27.xls |archive-date=20 September 2011 |format=Excel |access-date=25 September 2022}}</ref> The following census in 2011 counted 329,536 people in 98,019 households.<ref name="2011 Golestan Province"> {{cite web |script-title=fa:سرشماري عمومي نفوس و مسكن 1390 : استان گلستان |trans-title=General Population and Housing Census 2011: Golestan Province |language=fa |website=Iran Data Portal—Syracuse University |url=https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/Golestan.xls |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117141913/https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/Golestan.xls |archive-date=17 January 2023 |agency={{lang|fa|rtl=yes|مرکز آمار ایران}} [Statistical Centre of Iran] |format=Excel |access-date=19 December 2022}}</ref> The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 350,676 people in 111,099 households.<ref name="2016 Golestan Province"> {{cite web |script-title=fa:سرشماري عمومي نفوس و مسكن 1395 : استان گلستان |trans-title=General Population and Housing Census 2016: Golestan Province |language=fa |website={{lang|fa|rtl=yes|مرکز آمار ایران}} [Statistical Centre of Iran] |url=https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_27.xlsx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329051758/https://www.amar.org.ir/Portals/0/census/1395/results/abadi/CN95_HouseholdPopulationVillage_27.xlsx |archive-date=29 March 2019 |format=Excel |access-date=19 December 2022}}</ref>

==Geography== {{More citations needed|Section|date=July 2023 |find = Gorgan |find2 = Geography of Gorgan}}

===Location=== The wide Dasht-e Gorgan (Plains of Gorgan) is located north of the city and geographically bounded by 37°00' - 37°30' north latitude and 54°00' - 54°30' east longitude, covering an area of about {{convert|170|km2|sqmi|}}.

Some {{convert|150|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Gorgan is the Golestan National Park, home to a large portion of the fauna of Iran.

Gorgān Dam is situated 60 km northeast of Gorgan city and has a capacity of 100 million cubic meters.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/gorgan-i |title=GORGAN i. Geography |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Iranicaonline |publisher=Encyclopedia Iranica |orig-date=15 Dec 2002}}</ref>

===Climate=== Gorgan has a subtropical mediterranean climate (Köppen: ''Csa'', Trewartha: ''Cs''), with hot, humid summers and cool, wet winters. In general, Golestan has a moderate and humid climate known as "the moderate Caspian climate". The effective factors behind such a climate are Alborz mountain range, the direction of the mountains, the height of the area, the neighborhood to the sea, vegetation surface, local winds, altitude, and weather fronts. As a result of the above factors, three different climates exist in the region: plain moderate, mountainous, and semi-arid. Gorgan valley has a semi-arid climate. The average annual temperature is {{convert|17.8|°C|°F}}.

The annual precipitation is roughly {{convert|584|mm}}, and usually does not exceed {{convert|700|mm}} or dip below {{convert|350|mm}}. The driest year on record was 1953 with only {{convert|182.7|mm}} of precipitation, while the wettest year was 1959 with {{convert|1579.9|mm}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/gol/GORGAN/25.asp |title=Form 25: MONTHLY TOTAL OF PRECIPITATION IN MM. Station: Gorgan(40738) |website=Chaharmahalmet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317024134/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/gol/GORGAN/25.asp |archive-date=17 March 2016 |access-date=25 February 2024 |url-status=unfit |publisher=Iran Meteorological Organization |no-pp=y |type=asp}}</ref>

Highest recorded temperature:{{convert|46.2|C|F|abbr=on}}

Lowest recorded temperature:{{convert|-11.8|C|F|abbr=on}} on 7 January 2008.<ref name=lowest>{{Cite web |url=http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/gol/GORGAN/6.asp |title=Form 6: TEMPERATURE RECORDS LOWEST IN C. Station: Gorgan(40738) |website=Chaharmahalmet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505113309/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/gol/GORGAN/6.asp |archive-date=5 May 2016 |access-date=25 February 2024 |url-status=unfit |publisher=Iran Meteorological Organization |no-pp=y |type=asp}}</ref>

{{Weather box |width = auto |location = Gorgan {{Coord|36.905|N|54.413|E|display=inline}} (1991-2020, Extremes 1952-2020){{efn-lr| Rainy days calculated using parameters 46 and 71 from the source}} |metric first = yes |single line = yes |Jan record high C = 29.0 |Feb record high C = 32.4 |Mar record high C = 35.0 |Apr record high C = 39.8 |May record high C = 46.2 |Jun record high C = 45.0 |Jul record high C = 44.0 |Aug record high C = 44.0 |Sep record high C = 42.8 |Oct record high C = 41.2 |Nov record high C = 36.0 |Dec record high C = 29.2 |Jan high C = 12.8 |Feb high C = 13.4 |Mar high C = 16.6 |Apr high C = 21.4 |May high C = 28.0 |Jun high C = 32.2 |Jul high C = 33.5 |Aug high C = 33.8 |Sep high C = 30.8 |Oct high C = 25.8 |Nov high C = 18.8 |Dec high C = 14.3 |Jan mean C = 6.7 |Feb mean C = 7.5 |Mar mean C = 10.5 |Apr mean C = 15.0 |May mean C = 20.9 |Jun mean C = 25.7 |Jul mean C = 27.8 |Aug mean C = 27.8 |Sep mean C = 24.5 |Oct mean C = 18.8 |Nov mean C = 12.6 |Dec mean C = 8.3 |Jan low C = 1.9 |Feb low C = 2.7 |Mar low C = 5.5 |Apr low C = 9.6 |May low C = 14.8 |Jun low C = 19.8 |Jul low C = 22.9 |Aug low C = 22.7 |Sep low C = 19.3 |Oct low C = 13.2 |Nov low C = 7.5 |Dec low C = 3.5 |Jan record low C = -11.8 |Feb record low C = -7.4 |Mar record low C = -3.7 |Apr record low C = -1.4 |May record low C = 1.4 |Jun record low C = 10.0 |Jul record low C = 15.0 |Aug record low C = 13.0 |Sep record low C = 9.0 |Oct record low C = 1.8 |Nov record low C = -5.9 |Dec record low C = -7.0 |precipitation colour=green |Jan precipitation mm = 53.8 |Feb precipitation mm = 55.2 |Mar precipitation mm = 66.1 |Apr precipitation mm = 43.9 |May precipitation mm = 31.7 |Jun precipitation mm = 24.9 |Jul precipitation mm = 17.4 |Aug precipitation mm = 19.3 |Sep precipitation mm = 38.6 |Oct precipitation mm = 52.9 |Nov precipitation mm = 66.3 |Dec precipitation mm = 46.1 | Jan snow cm = 1.6 | Feb snow cm = 2.6 | Mar snow cm = 0.1 | Apr snow cm = 0.1 | May snow cm = 0.0 | Jun snow cm = 0.0 | Jul snow cm = 0.0 | Aug snow cm = 0.0 | Sep snow cm = 0.0 | Oct snow cm = 0.0 | Nov snow cm = 0.0 | Dec snow cm = 0.2 | year snow cm = | Jan snow depth cm = 0.62 | Feb snow depth cm = 0.88 | Mar snow depth cm = 0.1 | Apr snow depth cm = 0 | May snow depth cm = 0 | Jun snow depth cm = 0 | Jul snow depth cm = 0 | Aug snow depth cm = 0 | Sep snow depth cm = 0 | Oct snow depth cm = 0 | Nov snow depth cm = 0.28 | Dec snow depth cm = 0.07 | year snow depth cm = |unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm |Jan precipitation days = 6.4 |Feb precipitation days = 7.4 |Mar precipitation days = 8.5 |Apr precipitation days = 6.9 |May precipitation days = 4.7 |Jun precipitation days = 3 |Jul precipitation days = 3 |Aug precipitation days = 3 |Sep precipitation days = 4 |Oct precipitation days = 4.5 |Nov precipitation days = 5.8 |Dec precipitation days = 5.9 | Jan rain days =9.3 | Feb rain days =10.6 | Mar rain days =13.7 | Apr rain days =12.5 | May rain days =9.5 | Jun rain days =6.3 | Jul rain days =5.8 | Aug rain days =5.1 | Sep rain days =6.2 | Oct rain days =7.5 | Nov rain days =9 | Dec rain days =8.9 | year rain days = | Jan snow days =0.8 | Feb snow days =1.4 | Mar snow days =0.4 | Apr snow days =0 | May snow days =0 | Jun snow days =0 | Jul snow days =0 | Aug snow days =0 | Sep snow days =0 | Oct snow days =0 | Nov snow days =0 | Dec snow days =0.3 | year snow days =

|source 1=NCEI.NOAA<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-2-WMO-Normals-9120/Iran/CSV/Gorgan_40738.csv |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Gorgan-40738 |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmosoheric Administration |access-date = 18 February 2024 |no-pp=y |type=Excel |format=CSV }}</ref> (Snowfall and Snow/Sleet days 1981-2010)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-II/Iran/WMO_Normals_Excel_IRAN_060719.xls |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1981-2010: Gorgan-40738 |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmosoheric Administration |access-date=18 February 2024 |no-pp=y |type=Excel |format=XLS |quote=Parameter code 80: Number of days with Sleet/Snow |archive-date=20 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120051914/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1981-2010/RA-II/Iran/WMO_Normals_Excel_IRAN_060719.xls |url-status=dead }}</ref> |source 2= IRIMO(snow depth<ref name="IRIMO">{{cite web |title=Average maximum snow depth for Gorgan (40738) |url=https://data.irimo.ir/withlogin/payment_complete1.aspx |url-access=subscription |website=dara.irimo.ir |publisher=Iran Meteorological Organization |access-date=14 May 2024 |language=Persian }}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>)(Extremes 1952-2010)<ref name=lowest/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/gol/GORGAN/7.asp |title=Form 7: Temperature records highest in C. Station: Gorgan(40738) |website=Chaharmahalmet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505121313/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/gol/GORGAN/7.asp |archive-date=2016-05-05 |url-status=unfit |publisher=IRIMO |no-pp=y |type=asp }}</ref> }} {{Weather box |width = auto |collapsed = y |location = Gorgan |metric first = yes |single line = yes |Jan record high C = 29 |Feb record high C = 32.4 |Mar record high C = 35 |Apr record high C = 39 |May record high C = 43 |Jun record high C = 45 |Jul record high C = 44 |Aug record high C = 44 |Sep record high C = 41.6 |Oct record high C = 39 |Nov record high C = 36 |Dec record high C = 29.2 |Jan high C = 12.4 |Feb high C = 13.2 |Mar high C = 15.5 |Apr high C = 21.2 |May high C = 27.0 |Jun high C = 31.1 |Jul high C = 32.8 |Aug high C = 32.8 |Sep high C = 30.0 |Oct high C = 24.9 |Nov high C = 18.9 |Dec high C = 14.4 |Jan mean C = 7.8 |Feb mean C = 8.6 |Mar mean C = 10.9 |Apr mean C = 15.9 |May mean C = 21.2 |Jun mean C = 25.5 |Jul mean C = 27.8 |Aug mean C = 27.9 |Sep mean C = 24.8 |Oct mean C = 19.5 |Nov mean C = 13.9 |Dec mean C = 9.8 |Jan low C = 3.2 |Feb low C = 3.8 |Mar low C = 6.2 |Apr low C = 10.6 |May low C = 15.5 |Jun low C = 19.9 |Jul low C = 22.9 |Aug low C = 22.9 |Sep low C = 19.6 |Oct low C = 14.0 |Nov low C = 8.8 |Dec low C = 5.1 |Jan record low C = −11.8 |Feb record low C = −6 |Mar record low C = −3.2 |Apr record low C = −1.4 |May record low C = 2.8 |Jun record low C = 10 |Jul record low C = 15 |Aug record low C = 13 |Sep record low C = 9 |Oct record low C = 3 |Nov record low C = −2 |Dec record low C = −7 |precipitation colour=green |Jan precipitation mm = 54.0 |Feb precipitation mm = 55.5 |Mar precipitation mm = 76.7 |Apr precipitation mm = 51.4 |May precipitation mm = 42.1 |Jun precipitation mm = 31.4 |Jul precipitation mm = 20.7 |Aug precipitation mm = 26.2 |Sep precipitation mm = 39.5 |Oct precipitation mm = 62.8 |Nov precipitation mm = 67.1 |Dec precipitation mm = 56.4 |Jan precipitation days = 9.6 |Feb precipitation days = 10.4 |Mar precipitation days = 13.6 |Apr precipitation days = 11.2 |May precipitation days = 8.8 |Jun precipitation days = 6.7 |Jul precipitation days = 5.8 |Aug precipitation days = 6.3 |Sep precipitation days = 7.2 |Oct precipitation days = 7.4 |Nov precipitation days = 8.3 |Dec precipitation days = 8.8 |Jan snow days = 1.5 |Feb snow days = 1.8 |Mar snow days = 0.6 |Apr snow days = 0.0 |May snow days = 0.0 |Jun snow days = 0.0 |Jul snow days = 0.0 |Aug snow days = 0.0 |Sep snow days = 0.0 |Oct snow days = 0.0 |Nov snow days = 0.1 |Dec snow days = 0.5 |Jan humidity = 74 |Feb humidity = 74 |Mar humidity = 75 |Apr humidity = 73 |May humidity = 68 |Jun humidity = 64 |Jul humidity = 65 |Aug humidity = 68 |Sep humidity = 69 |Oct humidity = 70 |Nov humidity = 73 |Dec humidity = 75 |Jan sun = 138.7 |Feb sun = 129.3 |Mar sun = 135.3 |Apr sun = 161.7 |May sun = 206.4 |Jun sun = 225.6 |Jul sun = 224.1 |Aug sun = 227.9 |Sep sun = 202.5 |Oct sun = 198.2 |Nov sun = 156.2 |Dec sun = 135.1 |source 1 = [http://irimo.ir/english/monthly&annual/admin2.asp?CODE=55 Synoptic Stations Statistics] |source 2 = IRIMO(Snow and Sleet days 1952-2010)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/iranarchive.asp |title=آمار 200 ایستگاه سینوپتیک کشور - اداره کل هواشناسي استان چهارمحال و بختياري |access-date=13 July 2023 |archive-date=17 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217102629/http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/iranarchive.asp |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> |date=November 2011 }} {{notelist-lr}}

==Sports== Gorgan has a sports venue, Shohada stadium, which is located north of the city limits near the village of Karimabad.<ref>[https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright OpenStreetMap Contributions] {{Cite web |url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=36.837778&mlon=54.441389&zoom=14#map=14/36.8745/54.4093 |title=Karimabad, Gorgan county |access-date=14 May 2024 |publisher=OpenStreetMap |no-pp=y |language=Persian |type=Map }}</ref>

Shahrdari Gorgan competes in the Iranian Basketball Super League and Etka Gorgan F.C. competes in the Azadegan League.

==Education== thumb|Mirdamad Cultural Institute (MCI)

*Golestan University *Golestan University of Medical Sciences<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goums.ac.ir/ |title=Golestan University of Medical Sciences- دانشگاه علوم پزشكي گلستان - Golestan University of Medical Sciences - دانشگاه علوم پزشكي گلستان |publisher=GOUMS |access-date=2013-01-26 |archive-date=2021-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321043003/http://goums.ac.ir/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> *Gorgan University *Islamic Azad University of Gorgan *Lamei Gorgani institute of Higher Education

==Notable people== {{See also|List of people from Gorgan}}

=== Historical === [[Image:Astarabadi and Nader.JPG|thumbnail|right|Picture showing Mirza Mehdi Khan Astarabadi in pink clothes and Nader Shah Afshar on horseback.]] * Fakhroddin Asaad Gorgani, 11th-century Persian poet and the composer of ''Vis and Ramin''. * Abu Sa'id al-Darir al-Jurjani, 9th century astronomer and mathematician * Al-Masihi, 10th century physician and teacher of Avicenna * Abd al-Qāhir al-Jurjānī, 11th century grammarian and literary theorist * Zayn al-Din al-Jurjani, 12th century royal physician * Bahram al-Da'i, 12th-century Nizari Ismaili missionary and military leader in Syria * Fazlallah Astarabadi (Naimi), 14th century mystic and founder of Hurufism * Rustam Gorgani, 16th century physician * Mir Fendereski, philosopher, poet and mysti * Mir Damad, 17th century Islamic scholar and Neoplatonic philosopher * Mirza Mehdi Khan Astarabadi, 18th century chief minister to Nader Shah * Bibi Khatoon Astarabadi, writer, satirist and feminist * Firishta, historian * Sardar Rafie Yanehsari, Governor of Astarabad * Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, Shah of Iran (1789–1797) noted for the reunification of Iran

=== Modern === [[File:Mohammad reza Lotfi-Young2.jpg|100px|thumb|Mohammad Reza Lotfi]] *Iraj Etesam, Iranian architect, educator and author; born in Gorgan.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2013-04-24|title=بزرگداشت دکتر ایرج اعتصام، پیشکسوت آموزش معماری ایران|trans-title=Tribute to Dr. Iraj Etesam, a pioneer in Iranian architecture education|url=http://shasa.ir/newsdetail-74963-fa.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424065919/http://shasa.ir/newsdetail-74963-fa.html|archive-date=2013-04-24|access-date=2021-04-10|website=Iran Building Information Network}}</ref> *Nader Ebrahimi, author, poet, director and researcher *Hossein Khanzadi, admiral in the Iranian Navy *Mohammad Reza Lotfi, traditional Persian musician *Maryam Zandi, photographer *Parham Maghsoodloo, Chess grandmaster * Emad Rajabloo, writer, director and actor *Hooshmand Dehghan, translator <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibna.ir/news/277801/%D8%A7%D9%86%DA%AF%DB%8C%D8%B2%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%A2%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7|title=انگیزه ها از نداشته ها می آید نه داشته ها|website=IBNA|language=fa|access-date=2025-11-26}}</ref>

==Sister cities== * {{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} Aktau, Kazakhstan<ref>[http://www.kz-today.kz/index.php?lang=rus&uin=1138536468&chapter=1153399502 KZ-Today] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604011841/http://www.kz-today.kz/index.php?lang=rus |date=2008-06-04 }} September 11, 2006</ref> *{{flagicon|CHN}} Guangzhou, China<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mehrnews.com/news/5777121/%D8%AA%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%87-%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%DA%AF-%DA%98%D9%88-%D8%A8%D8%A7-%D9%86%D9%88%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3%DB%8C%D8%B3%DA%A9 |title=Repeating the memory of Guangzhou with Novorossiysk |date=11 May 2023 |access-date=7 April 2024 |website=mehrnews |publisher=Mehr news agency |language=Persian |script-title=fa: تکرار خاطره گوانگ ژو با نووروسیسک |id=5777121 |quote=fa: شهر گرگان هم از قرارداد خواهرخواندگی عقب نمانده و در سال ۹۷ با شهر گوانگ ژو چین عقد پیمان خواهرخواندگی بست |trans-quote=The city of Gorgan did not lag behind the sisterhood and in 2018 it signed an agreement with the Chinese city of Guangzhou}}</ref> *{{flagicon|Turkey}} Samsun, Turkey (2006)

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Geographic location |title = '''Destinations from Gorgan'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distance between cities in Iran |url=https://www.bahesab.ir/map/distance/ |website=bahesab |script-title=fa: فاصله شهرها و مسافت راه های ایران |language=Persian}}</ref> |Northwest = Bandar Torkaman ({{Convert|41|km|mi|abbr=on}}) |North = Incheh Borun ({{Convert|80|km|mi|abbr=on}})<br>Aq Qala ({{Convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}}) |Northeast = |West = Kordkuy ({{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}}) |Centre = Gorgan |East = Jelin ({{Convert|9.4|km|mi|abbr=on}})<br>Fazelabad ({{Convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on}})<br>Aliabad-e Katul ({{Convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on}}) |Southwest = |South = Ziarat ({{Convert|17|km|mi|abbr=on}}) |Southeast = }}

Category:Cities in Golestan province Category:Populated places in Gorgan County Category:Hyrcania Category:Iranian provincial capitals