Geotourism in Zanjan Province

Zanjan province with 22164 square kilometer is situated in North West of Iran. From geological point of view is a part of Central Iran and in geomorphologic classification it is identified as North West geomorphologic unit. Volcanic formations, intrusive granite rocks, major faults, Miocene evaporative basins and karst topography resulted in a variety of geosites in this province. Mountains and interval plains are stretching from north west to south east direction and drained by Ghezel Ozan, its tributaries, Abharrud and Khrarud Rivers. Ghezel Ozan pours into Caspian Sea and others goes to Hoz-e-Soultan Lake in Central Iran. The highest point in province is 3332 m above sea level in Belghaise Mountain and the lowest (250 m) located near to Sefidrood reservoir. Karstic caves such as Katalekhor, Zarin and Kharmanesar caves in south east and north east of the province, Chehr-Abad historical salt mine (where six salt men were discovered in north west of the province), tens of fingers of god and butte in conglomerate formations in Mahneshan and Angoran districts, badlands in Tarom area and west of zanjan city, tens of diapir domes in Ghezel Ozan watershed, mushrooms in granite rocks, and several hot springs are examples of this geosites. For inventory and analyses of these geosites in field work, topographical and geological maps of different scales and Global Positioning System (GPS) were used. Some of these geosites can have national and international importance. The Province is thus having very favorable conditions for geotourism development.