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	Geography and history
Old city gate,semnan Jameh Mosque, Semnan Jameh Mosque, Semnan an Old bulding in Semnan	With an area of 95815 square kilometers, the Province of Semnan is located to the east of the province of Tehran. It includes 4 districts which are: Semnan, Shahrood, Damghan and Garmsar. In 1991 the population of the province was about 1457000, which is formed of 61.6% registered to be urban dwellers, and the remaining 38.4% as villagers. Although the city of Semnan is the administrating center of the province, the city of Shahrood is the largest and the most populated city. available information shows that the population of the province is consisted of 105 male against every 100 female. The province of Semnan is located on the south of the mountainous chain of Albors, in which the height of the land decrease southward, and it is connected to the Kaveer desert from the south. So this province is consisted of two major geographical areas; the mountainous to the north, and the fertile outskirts and plains to the south. The mountainous area contains mines as well as some beautiful landscapes, while the outskirts have been suitable to the establishment of the old cities during the history. The province of Semnan is significant for its variable climate. It is very cold on the mountains, temperate in the outskirts and very hot in the desert. The old city of Damghan has very cold weather in the Winter because of the wintry winds which come from the north, and a temperate summer, for the same reason. It is cool in the Summer. The climate in the old city of Semnan is significant for its temperate Winter and hot Summer. The weather in Shahrood is very cold in the northern part, temperate in the middle, and very hot in the south. The weather of the district of Garmsar is very hot and dry in the Summer, and very cold and rainy in the Winter. However, Garmsar is located on the edge of the arid desert zone. The province of Semnan is well known for being one of the 16 division of the Ancient Avista. During the long period of the Achaemenian and the Maads, it was a part of the Part (or the Partos) state. It enjoyed a special importance also during the Sasanid period. During the Islamic period it was a part of the historical region of Qomis (or Komash). Finally, the province of Semnan, with more than two thousand years history, has been witness to many wars, losses and victories. The Silk Road crosses through the middle area of the province, and it left many remainings such as palaces, huge buildings, castles, Carvansaras (caravan stops), water storages, towers, and great walls. From the many remained historical buildings, one can mention the palaces of Aga Mohammed Khan and Fath-Ali-Shah in Damghan, as well as the palaces of Shah-Abbas, Ainol-Rasheed, and the private house (Haramsara) in Garmsar, as well as the huge building of Nasser-ul-Deen Shah’s daughter in Damghan. There are also many castles like Saro Castle, Koshmaghan Castle and Pachenar Castle in Semnan, as well as Lasgerd Castle and Benkooh Castle in Garmsar which are well known as historical and tourist places. There are also many religious and pilgrimage places and buildings in the province of Semnan such as the Sultani Mosque, the Jami’ Mosque in Semnan, as well as the Tarikhaneh Mosque in Damghan, and the Jami’ Mosque in Bastam. The province of Semnan is also well known for its many natural attractive places, and it has been known as one of the most attractive provinces in Iran. The many pleasant river-sides, mine and natural water (Cheshmeh), leisure places, forests and green spaces, as well as many protected environmental areas, nice highlands and peaks, caves and many attractive desert spaces, create the very beautiful nature of the province. Regarding to the culture and the local traditions, one can call it the province of varieties. Observing the local people’s behavior and action practicing their own national and religious ceremonies, wedding parties, memorial ceremonies for holy people or the death of their relatives, although is varying in different places of the province, it would be very attractive for any tourist. In this province, many scholars such as Manuchehri Damghani, Ebno-Yameen Foroumandi, Foroughi Bastami, Yaghmaei Jandaqi, Zoqi Bastami, as well as other scholars and (Arefs) such as Bayazeed Bastami, Shaykh Abol-Hassan Kharaqani, Shaykh Ala’ol-Dawleh Semnani, Shaykh Sakkak and Bibi Monadjemeh Semnani had lived, worked and died there. From the later scholars we can name many such as Haj Ali Semnani, Faiz Semnani, Zabeehollah Safa, and Ali Mo’allem. A significant tradition in Semnan which can be mentioned is avoiding wearing black clothes in any memorandum ceremony. The reason may be because the local people hate the black flags of the Abbasid invaders. Historical, cultural, and tourism images of the Semnan Province cities are as followings:
	Semnan
	This city is located on the main road between Tehran and Mashhad, with 221 kilometers distance from Tehran. During its long history, this city was occupied by many tribes, and its name has been mentioned in many historical books. In the beginning of the fourth century, the city of Semnan was counted as a part of the territory of Al-Ziar dynasty, and after the decline of this dynasty, it was occupied by Al-Bowayh. In this period, the city of Qomis was a part of the region of Daylam. In the year 427 After the Hegira (AH), the Ghaz Turks destroyed this city severely, and it was once again destroyed by the Mongols in the year 618 AH. From the many significant historical remainings of the city, one can mention the followings: hThe Minaret of the Saljuk Period which contain an inscription written by the Kufi calligraphy on its brick walls. hKhanqah and Tomb of Shaykh Ala’ol-Dawleh Semnani which is located in Sorkheh village. hThe building is being regarded to Mongols’ period. hThe Friday Mosque which its building history belongs to the year 828 AH (the Shahrokh period). hShah Abbas Karvansera which is located in Lasjerd village, and it has to somewhat remained undistroyed. hThe Sultani Mosque which was built by Fath-Ali shah Qajar. hThe Gate of the Semnan Citadel which is of the Qajar period remainings. hThe Natural and Historical Remaining of Darband which is located 21 kilometers far from the city of Semnan and it is very interesting for visitors.
	Damghan
	Damghan is located 335 kilometers far from Tehran, the national capital. The city, as well as the district of Damghan are surrounded by the mountain range of Alborz on the north, and by the Salty Desert of the center of Iran on all other limits. Because of its location on the mountain-desert edge, strong and misty winds always blow there. And for the latter reason also, in the city and its surrounding areas trees don’t grow high. The weather in the highland of this district is temperate, and it is hot in the desert. Most historians relate the foundation of the city to Hooshang, the grand son of Kiomars, and Damghan has been known as one of the most old towns in Iran. It was the headquarter of the Muslims and the center of the state of Qomis. Some historians believe that during its golden age, Damghan had 100 gates. The most interesting heritage and historic places of Damghan are as following: hTappeh Hesar (The Wall Hill) which is located one kilometer from the town, and it includes historical remainings belong to the pre-historic age. hTarikhaneh Mosque and its Minaret, which was built in the second century After the Hijrate (AH). hThe building was imitated from the Sasanid architecture, and it is counted as one of the oldest Islamic mosques of the World. but the minaret of this mosque belongs to the Saljuk period. hThe Circular Tower of 40 Girls which belongs to the Saljuk period. It was constructed in the year 446 AH by Abu Shojaa Esfahani, as a family tomb. hThe Masoom-Zadeh Brick Tower (Mehmandoost) which is one of the remainings of the Saljuk period, and according to its epigraph, it was built in the year 490 AH. hThe Bell Dome which is one of the remainings of the late 7th century AH. hImam-Zadeh Jafar which is a tomb, and it belongs to the Saljuk period. hImam-Zadeh Mahmood which is located inside Imam-Zadeh Jafar’s site, and it is one of the remainings of Mirza Shahrokh Taymouri. hThe Jami’ Mosque, the construction year of this mosque is not known, but its minarets belong to the Old Mosque. It was built in the year 500 AH.
	Shahrood
	Shahrood is located 400 kilometers far from Tehran, the Iranian capital. From the north, it is surrounded by the Alborz Mountain Chain, and from the south by the Salty Desert. The river of Tash, after crossing this town, reaches the Salty Desert. The weather on the mountainous areas is cold and it is to somewhat temperate in other parts of the city. The town of Shahrood has a really short history. It was just a vellage before Fath-Ali Shah Qajar with two old castles and a small farm named "Shabdary". But all surrounding areas, such as Biarjomand, Miami and Bastam have longer history. The old town of Bastam is located 6 kilometers north to the town of Shahrood. Its pre-Islamic history is not clear, but to some historians, it was built during Shapour II period (310-379 AC). During the Abbasid period, it was the second, following Damghan, greener and larger area in the Qomis state. It was visited by Nasser Khosrow Qubadiani, the great Iranian poet in 438 AH, and mentioned by him as the center of the Qomis state. But Bastam declined by the Mongols’ attack, and Shahrood developed instead. The town of Shahrood is located on the main road between Tehran and the east of Iran toward the state of Khurasan and its regional capital Mashhad. The most interesting historical places and buildings of the district of Shahrood are as followings: hThe Saljuki Mosque which is located in Bastam, and only a part of its wall as well as one minaret remained to this day. Its construction belongs to the year 514 AH. hThe Monastery of Bayazeed Bastami which includes an interesting building with a dome is made of brick in the 8th century, then reconstructed in the 13th century AH. hThe Village of Kharaqan which is located 12 kilometers far from Bastam. It was a famous village during the 7th and the 8th centuries AH. The tomb of Abul-Hassan Ali Kharaqani, who is one of the most famous Arefs of the Sufi group of the 5th century AH, is located in this village. The brick building with its dome belongs to the 5th century AH. hThe Byar Castle which is located on the south-eastern area of Bastam, and is near to the desert edge of Byarjomand. This castle has an old mosque and an old wall with three gates.
	Garmsar
	The distant between Garmsar and Tehran, the national capital, is about 107 kilometers. Garmsar is located in a large plain. The surrounding villages are located on the many bunks of the river Hibleh Rood, which is for irrigation. It became a district in 1958. The most interesting historical places and remainings of this district can be mentioned as followings: hThe Holy Tombs: Imam-Zadeh Ali, in the south-northern area of the town, and it is one of the most famous tombs of the many in the area. hThe Historical Castles are: The Rikan Castle, 6 kilometers east of Garmsar, the Yatery Castle, 20 kilometers, Bunkouh Castle, 7 kilometers north-east of Garmsar, as well as many other castles. hThe Garmsar Karvansaras (old style inn), which are located near to Deh Namak (the Salt Village), Iwanakay, and many others. hThe Jami’ Mosque of Garmsar, in which the Friday pray is held every week. hThe Old Bathes, which are located in Noh-Hisar, Mohammed Abad, Chahar Bashlow, and some other places. hOld Water Storages, which are located in Ali Abad, Nasar, Dehnamak, Kushk, and some other places. hOld Palaces, such as the palaces of Siahkooh, Shah Abbas, Ainol-Rasheed, and so on.
	Wild Life
	The province of Semnan is very interesting regarding its many variable wild-life and its protected natural areas. The protected natural areas of "Khosh Yeilaq" (beautiful country side), on the north-eastern area of the district of Shahrood, "Parvar" on the northern area of the district of Semnan, "Khoar Tooran" on the south-eastern area of the district of Shahrood, are famous areas in this province. The rarely found Iranian Zebra groups live in Khoar Tooran area. The other wild animals of the province are named as: partridge, bustard, grouse, rabbit, leopard, zebra, gazelle, wild goat, wild sheep, sable, and many other kinds of wild animals.
	Trip to, and Stay in the Province
	All districts and towns of the province are well connected by roads, and travailing to these areas is very easy. All towns of the province are well facilitated by networks of services such as telecommunication and health services. All towns of this province are provided with many kinds of hotels and guest houses, and all service staff are familiar with tourism regulations as well as the local culture.

	[About IRAN]

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