The Study of Tourism, Ecotourism & Geotourism Potentials of Dasht-e-Kavir

Today, tourism industry is addressed with a wise and specialized approach which encompasses different sectors. One of the important sectors of tourism is ecotourism and geotourism. From scientific viewpoint, Ecotourists and Geotourists are those who start on a journey to observe natural and geological sights and landscapes in order to visually observe world’s wonders. In addition to beautiful natural landscapes including deserts, kavirs, basins, beautiful coasts, mountains and unique plant covers, Iran has high tourism (ecotourism and geotourism) potentials due to diverse climatic conditions, suitable sunny hours, etc. Among all these landscapes, Dasht-e-Kavir, as the largest salare of Iran and world with an area more than 120,000 km2, has placed in itself a set of most unique landscapes of the world. Based on geological divisions, Dasht-e-Kavir is located in the limits of central Iran and has experienced several changes during its life. It is likely to have been under water for millions of years as the result of tectonic movements or it may sometimes have come out of water due to vertical movements. By formation of Alborz and Zagros mountain ranges in about 65 million years ago, a shallow lake was formed at that part and was affected by several complicated climatic and tectonic conditions in Tertiary and Quaternary periods. The result of all these accidents has provided the possibility of formation of a set of most surprising landscapes in a relatively limited space. The main goal of this research is to introduce tourism and ecotourism attractions of Dasht-e-Kavir. In this desert, a set of salares, deserts, sand dunes, salt polygons, salt and clay pans, several swamps and cold and warm springs are observed beside historical works. Major landscapes and historical works available in Dasht-e-Kavir include Masileh Desert, Hoz-e-Soltan, Salt Lake, Dagh Sorkh, Rig Gen, Nakhjir valley of Maranjab desert, mountains of Siah Kouh, Talheh Mountain, Bahram Palace, Shah Abbasi Caravanserai.