Anzali is one of the most important ports of Iran alongside the Caspian Sea and one of the main cities of Gilan province.

It is located in 40km of Rasht, the capital city of Gilan province, next to the coast of Caspian Sea. Anzali is the first and the biggest southern port of Caspian Sea and that is why the city is highly important for the province.

At the 1395 SH census, the population of Anzali was 139016. Its area is about 299 km2. Anzali is located in a low altitude region and it is 26 meters above sea level. The city is one of the rainiest regions of Iran.

Anzali port is among the most equipped and modern ports in the southern margins of Caspian. Being located in the free zone, Anzali provides some especial facilities and possibilities for merchants and investors which makes it of the main ports in Caspian Sea.

People are followers of Shia’ here, however, other minorities like Christians live also here in Anzali. Most of people speak in Gilaki dialect and the others are Azeri. The most popular traditional jobs in this city are fishing and agriculture, especially rice planting.

The sea beach and Anzali lagoon are the significant attractions of the city. There are many lagoon tulips and lotus there that makes the appearance of the lagoon highly attractive.

Interesting among other attractions of the city is Clock tower, Anzali Bridge and Ghazian Bridge in addition to Mian Poshteh Palace which has been transformed into the Military Museum today. Polish Cemetery is also a memorial of the World War II and the burial ground of Polish evacuees who escaped from Poland and come to Iran after Nazi attack on their country.

The coastal boulevard or coastal garden is another attraction of the city overlooking the Caspian Sea and the portal establishments of the city.

The summers in Anzali are warm and humid and the winters are temperate. Anzali Port is also characterized by high average annual humidity.

The most important edible souvenir of the city is fish in addition to olive, garlic, various pickles and local vegetables.

Local foods of Gilan Province are also cooked in Anzali. Baghali Ghatogh, Torshe Tareh, Mirza Ghasemi, Alu Mosamma and Sir Ghalieh are among the most popular foods of the city. People use different pickles along with their foods such as Garlic Pickle, Eggplant Pickle and Turnip Pickle.

Anzali Lagoon

Being a coastal wetland, Anzali Lagoon is located in Gilan province on the Caspian coast. This wetland is connected to the Caspian Sea by a ship channel (which is supported by two breakwaters). It should be said that the drainage basins of Anzali Lagoon cover three hundred and seventy-four thousand hectares.

Anzali Lagoon was registered as an international wetland and it has been considered as an important bird habitat by the international societies.

Anzali Lagoon has four sections: east, west (Abkenar), center (Selkeh), and Siah Keshim (which is the name of a bird species, Black-necked grebe). being a natural wetland with freshwater, Anzali Lagoon is irrigated by eleven rivers and thirty tributaries. in the west of this wetland, the maximum depth reaches over two meters.

Because of the form of its ecosystem and the shape of its bed, this wetland has a unique ecological structure. Nelumbo Nucifera, also known as Indian lotus or sacred lotus, is the most famous plant in Anzali Lagoon and it has a worldwide reputation. It should be said that aquatic plants are categorized into these groups: emergent, floating-leaved, submerged, free-floating.

Although the lagoon suffers from pollution, it is known as a good place for bird watching. The lagoon’s water ranges from fresh near the tributary streams to brackish near the mouth into the harbor and the sea. Due to the high biodiversity in this lagoon, it has become a known destination for ornithology. Heron, the Anatidae, large white-headed gulls, great crested grebe, and black-necked grebe are among the birds found in this lagoon.

Anzali Lagoon is a destination for a lot of birds that come here from the northern countries. Because of this reason, the ornithology activities have been augmented. on account of a station in Selke Wildlife Refuge, all the people can benefit from ornithology. Boating and fishing are the other touristic activities in this district.