{{Short description|Mountain range in northern Iran}} {{distinguish|Mount Erebus|Mount Elbrus}} {{for multi|the province|Alborz province|the administrative division of Qazvin province|Alborz County}} {{Infobox mountain | fetchwikidata = ALL | name = Alborz | other_name = {{native name|fa|البرز}} | map = Iran | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 7 | coordinates = {{Coord|35|57|20|N|52|06|36|E|display=inline,title}} }} [[File:Alborz in Semnan Province of Iran.jpg|thumb|Alborz Mountains in [[Semnan province|Semnan Province]]. A combination of snow and [[Dasht-e Kavir|desert]].]] The '''Alborz''' ({{langx|fa|البرز}}, {{IPA|fa|ʔælˈboɹz|pron|Alborz pronounce.ogg|listen}}; also spelt '''Alburz''', '''Elburz''' or '''Elborz''') is a [[mountain range]] in northern [[Iran]] that stretches from the border of [[Azerbaijan]] along the western and entire southern [[coast]] of the [[Caspian Sea]] and finally runs northeast and merges into the smaller [[Aladagh Mountains]] and borders in the northeast on the parallel mountain ridge [[Kopet Dag]] in the northern parts of [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]]. All these mountains are part of the much larger [[Alpide belt]]. The Alborz range is divided into the Western, Central, and Eastern Alborz Mountains. The Western Alborz Range (usually called the [[Talysh Mountains|Talysh]]) runs south-southeastward almost along the western coast of the Caspian Sea. The Central Alborz (the Alborz Mountains in the strictest sense) runs from west to east along the entire southern coast of the Caspian Sea. In contrast, the Eastern Alborz Range runs in a northeasterly direction, toward the northern parts of the Khorasan region, southeast of the Caspian Sea. [[Mount Damavand]], the highest mountain in Iran, measuring 5,610.0 m (18,405.5 ft), is located in the Central Alborz Mountains. [[Mount Damavand]] is the [[List of peaks by prominence|12th most prominent peak]] in the world and the second most prominent in Asia after [[Mount Everest]]. [[File:Iran-geographic map.svg|thumb|Alborz on a geographic map of Iran]] [[File:عظمت گنبد گیتی وکوه دماوندازدشت سیاپلاس،لار Damavand mount view from "Sia Palas" Alborz, Lar,Tehran - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Mount Damavand|Damavand]], the highest summit of Alborz]]
==Etymology== The name ''Alborz'' is derived from [[Hara Berezaiti|Harā Barazaitī]], a legendary mountain in the [[Avesta]], the main text of [[Zoroastrianism]]. ''Harā Barazaitī'' is from a [[Proto-Iranian language|Proto-Iranian]] name, ''Harā Bṛzatī'', meaning "Mountain Rampart". ''Bṛzatī'' is the feminine form of the adjective ''bṛzant-'' "high", the ancestor of modern Persian ''bouland'' and ''BarzBerazandeh'', cognate with Sanskrit ''Brihat''. ''Harā'' may be interpreted as "watch" or "guard", from an [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] root *''ser-'' "protect". In Middle Persian, ''Harā Barazaitī'' became ''Harborz'', Modern Persian ''Alborz'', which is a cognate with [[Mount Elbrus|Elbrus]], the highest peak of the [[Caucasus]].<ref name="alborziranica">{{cite web |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/alborz-massif-iran |title=ALBORZ |author=electricpulp.com |access-date=2016-02-17 |archive-date=2019-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903110757/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/alborz-massif-iran |url-status=live }}</ref> [[File:Aerial View of Tehran and Tochal.JPG|thumb|Alborz Mountain range seen from Tehran]] [[File:نمای شهر تهران از بالا توسط هواپیما - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Areial view of [[Tehran]] and [[Mount Damavand|damavand]] and Alborz mountain in summer]]
==Mythology== [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrians]] seem to identify the range with the dwelling place of the [[Peshyotan]], and the Zoroastrian [[Ilm-e-Kshnoom]] sect identifies [[Mount Damavand]] as the home of the ''Saheb-e-Dilan'' ('Masters of the Heart'). In his epic [[Shahnameh]], the poet [[Ferdowsi]] speaks of the mountains "as though they lay in [[India]]."<ref name="alborziranica"/> This could reflect older usage, for numerous high peaks were given the name, and some even reflect it to this day, including [[Mount Elbrus]] in the [[Caucasus Mountains]] and Mount Elbariz (Albariz, [[Jebal Barez]]) in the [[Kerman]] area above the [[Strait of Hormuz]]. All these names reflect the same [[Iranian languages|Iranian language]] compound, and have been speculatively identified, at one time or another, as the legendary mountain [[Hara Berezaiti]] of the [[Avesta]].
==Geology== {{unreferenced section|date=June 2017}} The Alborz mountain range forms a barrier between the south Caspian and the [[Iranian plateau]]<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Alborz Mountains |encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Alborz-Mountains |access-date=2026-03-04}}</ref>. It is only 60–130 km wide and consists of sedimentary series dating from Upper [[Devonian]] to [[Oligocene]], prevalently [[Jurassic]] [[limestone]] over a [[granite]] core. Continental conditions regarding [[sedimentation]] are reflected by thick Devonian [[sandstone]]s and by [[Jurassic]] [[shale]]s containing coal seams. Marine conditions are reflected by [[Carboniferous]] and [[Permian]] strata that are composed mainly of limestones. In the Eastern Alborz Range, the far eastern section is formed by [[Mesozoic]] (chiefly [[Triassic]] and Jurassic) rocks, while the western part of the Eastern Alborz Range is made primarily of [[Paleozoic]] rocks. [[Precambrian]] rocks can be found chiefly south of the city of [[Gorgan]] situated in the southeast of the [[Caspian Sea]] and, in much smaller amounts, in the central and western parts of the Central Alborz Range.
The central part of the Central Alborz Range is formed mainly of [[Triassic]] and [[Jurassic]] rocks, while the northwestern section of the range is mainly composed of Jurassic rocks. Very thick beds of [[Tertiary period|Tertiary]] (mostly [[Eocene]]) green [[Volcano|volcanic]] [[tuff]]s and [[lava]]s are found mainly in the southwestern and south-central parts of the range. The far northwestern part of the Alborz, that constitutes the Western Alborz Range or the [[Talish Mountains]], is mainly made up of [[Upper Cretaceous]] volcano-sedimentary deposits, with a strip of Paleozoic rocks and a band of Triassic and Jurassic rocks in the southern parts, both in a northwest–southeast direction. As the [[Tethys Sea]] was closed and the [[Arabian plate]] collided with the [[Iranian plate]], and was pushed against it, and with the clockwise movement of the [[Eurasian plate]] towards the [[Iranian plate]] and their final collision, the Iranian plate was pressed from both sides.
The collisions finally caused the folding of the Upper Paleozoic, [[Mesozoic]], and [[Paleogene]] rocks and the [[Cenozoic]] (chiefly the [[Eocene]]) [[volcanism]], to form the Alborz Mountains, primarily during the [[Miocene]]. The [[Alpine orogeny]] began, therefore, with Eocene volcanism in southwestern and south-central parts of the Alborz, and continued with the uplift and folding of the older sedimentary rocks in the northwestern, central and eastern parts of the range, during the most important orogenic phases, which date from the Miocene and [[Pliocene]] epochs.
==Ecoregions, flora and fauna== {{unreferenced section|date=June 2017}} While the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains are usually semiarid or arid, with irregular and low precipitation, the northern slopes of the range are usually humid, especially in the western parts of the Central Alborz. The Alborz is the easternmost extent of many European plant species. In the southern slopes or the [[Elburz Range forest steppe]] [[ecoregion]], the higher elevations are arid with few trees. [[Juniper]] is the most common tree in inaccessible areas and at high elevation, while common [[shrub]]s are [[pistachio]], [[maple]], and [[almond]]. But in the northern slopes, the [[Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests]] ecoregion is lush and forested. The natural [[vegetation]] of this [[region]] grows in distinct zones:
* [[Hyrcania]]n forests on the lowest levels, * [[beech]] forests in the middle zone, * [[oak]] forests in higher regions.
The wild [[Cupressus sempervirens|cypress]] is the dominant form of vegetation in some valleys, while olive trees grow in the western valleys of the Central Alborz near the [[Sefidrud]]. The [[bezoar ibex]], [[Blanford's fox]], [[Rüppell's fox]], [[red fox]], [[Persian fallow deer]], [[wild boar]], [[Syrian brown bear]], [[Persian leopard]], [[Indian wolf]], [[buzzard]], [[geese]], [[woodpecker]], [[griffon vulture]], and [[eagle]] are among important animals and birds found in the Alborz Mountains. The extinct [[Caspian tiger]] also lived in the Alborz Mountains.
==Prehistory== [[File:Alborz mountains seen from haraz road.jpg|thumb|Alborz mountains in Amol county, Mazandaran, Iran. taken from Haraz road]] [[Archaeology|Archaeological]] evidence from Alborz indicates that early human groups have been present in the region since at least late [[Lower Paleolithic]]. The [[Darband Cave]] located at the [[Gilan Province]] contains evidence for late [[Lower Paleolithic]]. Stone [[Artifact (archaeology)|artifacts]] and animal [[fossil]]s were discovered by a group of archaeologists of the ''Department of Paleolithic'' of the [[National Museum of Iran]] and ICHTO of [[Gilan]]. The presence of large numbers of [[cave bear]] and [[brown bear]] remains and sparse stone artifacts at the site indicates that Darband primarily represents a bear den. The co-occurrence of artifacts and bear bones does not imply human predation or scavenging. Because there are no clear cut marks, except a few burning signs on the bear bones, they probably accumulated through natural processes.<ref>Biglari, F., V. Jahani 2011 The Pleistocene Human Settlement in Gilan, Southwest Caspian Sea: Recent Research, Eurasian Prehistory 8 (1-2): 3-28</ref> During [[Middle Paleolithic]] period, [[Neanderthal]]s were most probably were present in the region as their fossil have been found at northwest of Alborz, in the [[Azykh Cave]]. Their stone tools found in the [[Buzeyir cave|Buzeir Cave]] and Kiaram cave and number of other surveyed sites.<ref>Biglari, F. (2019). Lower and Middle Paleolithic Occupation of the Northern Alborz and Talesh, South of the Caspian Sea. Tourism Research, 1(3), 90-106 (access: http://journal.richt.ir/browse.php?a_id=76&sid=7&slc_lang=en {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010135222/http://journal.richt.ir/browse.php?a_id=76&sid=7&slc_lang=en |date=2020-10-10 }}</ref> Evidence for Modern human comes from a river side site called [[Garm Rud|Garm Roud]] in the [[Mazandaran Province]] which dates back to about 30,000 years ago.<ref>Berillon G., Asgari Khaneghah A. (dir.) 2016. Garm Roud : une halte de chasse en Iran, Paléolithique supérieur, Garm Roud : Hunting place in Iran, Upper Paleolithic. Prigonrieux : @rchéo-éditions, IFRI, </ref>
==Ski resorts== Due to the snowy winters of the Alborz Mountains, there are several [[ski resorts]] in different places across the range. Some of them, according to ski enthusiasts, are among the best in the world.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2008/feb/24/iran.skiing |title=Iran's biggest secret: the skiing's great |author=Dom Joly |work=the Guardian |date=24 February 2008 |access-date=16 December 2016 |archive-date=20 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220104612/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2008/feb/24/iran.skiing |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Mounts, summits, alpine lakes and attractions== '''The Alborz four-thousanders with at least 300 meters of''' [[topographic prominence]]: {| class="wikitable" |+ ! !'''Name''' !'''Height (m)''' !Prominence (m) |- |1 |[[Mount Damavand|Damavand]] |5610 |4661 |- |2 |[[Alam-Kuh]] |4850 |1848 |- |3 |Kalahoo |4412 |345 |- |4 |[[Azad Kuh]] |4398 |980 |- |5 |[[Kholeno]] |4375 |746 |- |6 |[[Do Khvaharan|Do Khaharan]] |4310 |644 |- |7 |Avidar |4286 |503 |- |8 |Great Nazer |4260 |510 |- |9 |Kaman-Kuh |4234 |533 |- |10 |Zarrin-Kuh |4198 |451 |- |11 |Sarakchal |4194 |317 |- |12 |[[Sialan]] |4160 |1160 |- |13 |Kolunbastak |4156 |359 |- |14 |[[Shah Alborz]] |4125 |931 |- |15 |[[Mount Naz|Naz]] |4108 |1018 |- |16 |[[Do Berar]] |4082 |1352 |- |17 |Kahoun |4075 |342 |- |18 |[[Varavasht|Varavašt]] |4025 |852 |- |19 |Korma-Kuh |4020 |359 |- |20 |Parchenan |4015 |1144 |- |21 |Saat |4003 |428 |} '''The peaks with altitude of 3800 m - 4000 m, with at least 300 meters of''' [[topographic prominence]]: {| class="wikitable" |+ ! !'''Name''' !'''Height (m)''' !Prominence (m) |- |1 |Mishineh Marg |3990 |562 |- |2 |Tochal |3964 |1164 |- |3 |Karkas Neshin |3950 |537 |- |4 |Khashechal |3945 |645 |- |5 |Vantar |3944 |544 |- | |South Kharsang |3940 |293 |- |6 |Sechal |3936 |436 |- |7 |Sineza |3933 |336 |- |8 |Shahvar |3932 |1923 |- |9 |Mehrchal |3912 |759 |- |10 |Keyoonchal |3910 |390 |- |11 |Pashooreh |3896 |814 |- |12 |Small Nazer |3881 |444 |- |13 |Gavingchal |3880 |344 |- |14 |Deev Asiab (Alarm) |3880 |421 |- |15 |Zarrin-Kuh |3850 |858 |- | |Kushgak (Sorkhak) |3843 |299 |- |16 |Gavkoshan |3840 |1160 |- |17 |Khozanak |3840 |402 |- |18 |Asemankuh |3819 |499 |- |19 |[[Lake Tar]] |3200 |500 |} '''The peaks with at least 1000 meters of''' [[topographic prominence]]: {| class="wikitable" |+ ! !'''Name''' !'''Height (m)''' !Prominence (m) |- |1 |[[Mount Damavand|Damavand]] |5610 |4661 |- |2 |Shahvar |3932 |1923 |- |3 |[[Alam-Kuh]] |4850 |1848 |- |4 |Neyzeva |3730 |1510 |- |5 |[[Do Berar]] |4082 |1352 |- |6 |Tochal |3964 |1164 |- |7 |[[Sialan]] |4160 |1160 |- |8 |Gavkoshan |3840 |1160 |- |9 |Parchenan |4015 |1144 |- |10 |Shahdar Kuh |3252 |1107 |- |11 |Ghadamgah |3563 |1057 |- |12 |Badleh Kuh |3203 |1036 |- |13 |[[Mount Naz|Naz]] |4108 |1018 |} * [[Mount Damavand]] [[Amol]] [[Mazandaran]] * [[Tochal]] mount and summit * [[Tangeh Savashi]], a popular attraction * [[Alam Kuh]], a mountain in Alborz mountain range * [[Alamut]] * [[Dizin]] * [[Ovan lake]]
{{Central Alborz}}
==See also== {{Portal|Iran|Geography}} * [[List of Iranian four-thousanders]] * [[List of mountains in Iran]] * [[Kayanian dynasty]] * [[The Clouds Forest]] * [[Koh e Alburz (Balkh)|Koh e Alborz]]
==Sources== * North, S.J.R., Guide to Biblical Iran, Rome 1956, p. 50
==References== {{Reflist}} <!--For ease of standardization, use a citation template from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Template_messages/Sources_of_articles#Citations_of_g Weneric_sources -->
==External links== *{{Commons category-inline}} * ''Alborz Mountains'', Photos from Iran, [https://www.livius.org/ei-er/elburz/elburz.html ''Livius''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121226212408/https://www.livius.org/ei-er/elburz/elburz.html |date=2012-12-26 }}. * [http://www.summitpost.org/show/mountain_link.pl/mountain_id/5145 Maps, Photos and a List of peaks] * {{APOD |date=3 May 2008 |title=Alborz Mountain Milky Way}}
{{Ranges of Iranian Plateau}} {{Zoroastrianism}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Alborz (mountain range)| ]] [[Category:Mountain ranges of Iran]] [[Category:Caspian Sea]] [[Category:Iranian plateau]] [[Category:Landforms of Alborz province]] [[Category:Landforms of Ardabil province]] [[Category:Landforms of Gilan province]] [[Category:Landforms of Golestan province]] [[Category:Mountains of Mazandaran province]] [[Category:Landforms of Semnan province]] [[Category:Landforms of Tehran province]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Gilan province]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Mazandaran province]] [[Category:Physiographic provinces]] [[Category:Mountains of Iran]]