View source for Ramsar, Mazandaran

{{about||the administrative subdivision|Ramsar County|the wetland preservation organization|Ramsar Convention}}
{{redirect|Sakht Sar|the administrative subdivision|Sakht Sar Rural District}}
{{Infobox settlement
  |official_name          = Ramsar
  |native_name            = {{lang-fa|رامسر}} 
  |nickname               = 
  |former_name            = Sakht Sar
  |motto                  = The Paradise on Earth (Behesht-e rooy-e Zamin)
  |image_skyline          = Ramsar_Montage.png
  |imagesize              = 250px
  |image_caption          = From top left, Ramsar Old Hotel, Sunset at [[Caspian Sea]], Statue of [[Esfandiyār]], [[Ramsar Palace|Ramsar Marble Palace]], Ramsar Hotel Walkway, Ramsar Campus of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences and Ramsar Gondola lift (Ramsar Télécabine)
  |image_flag             = 
  |image_seal             =
  |image_map              = 
  |mapsize                = 
  |map_caption            = 
|settlement_type        = city
  |coordinates            = {{coord|36|54|11|N|50|39|30|E|region:IR|display=inline,title}}
  |pushpin_map            = Iran <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map -->
  |pushpin_label_position = bottom <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
  |pushpin_map_caption    = Location of Ramsar in [[Iran]]
  |pushpin_mapsize        =
  |subdivision_type       = [[List of countries|Country]]
|subdivision_name = {{flag|Iran}}
|subdivision_type1 =[[Provinces of Iran|Province]]
|subdivision_name1 =[[Mazandaran Province|Mazandaran]]
|subdivision_type2 =[[Counties of Iran|County]]
|subdivision_name2 =[[Ramsar County|Ramsar]]
|subdivision_type3 =[[Bakhsh]]
|subdivision_name3 =[[Central District (Ramsar County)|Central]]
  |leader_title           = Mayor (Ŝahrdār)
  |leader_name            = Mohsen Morradi
  |established_title      = 
  |established_date       = 1943
  |area_magnitude         = 
  |area_total_km2         = 
  |area_total_sq_mi       = 
  |area_land_km2          = 
  |area_land_sq_mi        = 
  |area_water_km2         = 
  |area_water_sq_mi       = 
  |area_water_percent     = 
  |area_urban_km2         = 
  |area_urban_sq_mi       = 
  |area_metro_km2         = 
  |area_metro_sq_mi       = 
  |population_total       = 33018
  |population_as_of       = 2012 
  |population_blank1_title        = 
  |population_blank1              = 
  |population_note        = 
  |population_metro       = 
  |population_urban       = 
  |population_density_km2 = 
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  |timezone               = [[Iran Standard Time|IRST]]
  |utc_offset             = +3:30
  |timezone_DST           = [[Iran Daylight saving Time|IRDT]]
  |utc_offset_DST         = +4:30
  |elevation_m            = -21
  |elevation_ft           = 
  |website                = http://www.sh-ramsar.ir
  |footnotes              = 
}}
'''Ramsar''' ({{lang-fa|رامسر}}, also [[Romanize]]d as '''Rāmsar''' and '''Rānsar'''; formerly, '''Sakht Sar''')<ref>{{GEOnet3|-3081959}}</ref> is a city in and the capital of [[Ramsar County]], [[Mazandaran Province]], [[Iran]].  At the 2012 census, its population was 33,018, in 9,421 families.<ref>{{IranCensus2012|02}}</ref>

Ramsar lies on the coast of the [[Caspian Sea]]. It was also known as Sakhtsar in the past. The native people in Ramsar are [[Gilak]]s although there are also [[Mazandarani people]] living there. They speak the [[Gilaki language]] (eastern dialect) although the style they speak has been influenced by the [[Mazandarani language]], making it slightly different than the [[Gilaki language|Gilaki]](eastern dialect) spoken in Gilan. The natives of Ramsar call their dialect "Ramsari" as its a combination of Eastern Gilaki and Royan/Western Mazandarani (Mazandarani-Gilaki dialect). They are also able to speak [[Persian language|Persian]], the official language of Iran.

==Location==
Ramsar is the westernmost county and city in [[Mazandaran]]. It borders the [[Caspian Sea]] to the north, [[Gilan]] province to the west, [[Qazvin Province]] to the south, and [[Tonekabon]] to the east.
[[Image:MazandaranRamsar.PNG|thumb|left|500px|Map showing position of Ramsar county as well as Ramsar city in [[Mazandaran]] province]]
{{clear}}

==History==
{{Empty section|date=November 2013}}

==Tourism==
[[File:Old Hotel Ramsar.jpg|thumbnail|220px|right|Old Hotel of Ramsar]]
Ramsar is a popular sea resort for Iranian tourists. The town also offers [[hot spring]]s, the green forests of the [[Alborz]] Mountains, the [[Ramsar Palace|vacation palace]] of the last [[Shah]], and the Hotel Ramsar. Twenty-seven kilometres south of Ramsar and 2700 meters above sea level in the Alborz mountains is [[Javaher Deh]] village, which is an important tourist attraction in Ramsar county.

==Ramsar Convention==
The [[Ramsar Convention|Convention on Wetlands]], signed in Ramsar in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are presently 160 Contracting Parties to the Convention, with 1920 wetland sites, totaling 1,680,000 square kilometres, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. 
Presently, there are 160 contracting parties, up from 119 in 2000 and from 18 initial signatory nations in 1971.<ref>[http://www.ramsar.org/cda/ramsar/display/main/main.jsp?zn=ramsar&cp=1-36-123^23808_4000_0__retrieved 2011-03-07]</ref> Signatories meet every three years as the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP), the first held in Cagliari, Italy in 1980. Amendments to the original convention have been agreed to in Paris (in 1982) and Regina (in 1987).<ref>[http://www.ramsar.org/cda/ramsar/display/main/main.jsp?zn=ramsar&cp=1-36-62_4000_0__ Ramsar: A brief history], retrieved 2009-11-07</ref>

==Climate==
{{Weather box
|location = Ramsar (1961–1990, extremes 1955–2010)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 31.0
|Feb record high C = 26.0
|Mar record high C = 36.8
|Apr record high C = 35.0
|May record high C = 34.4
|Jun record high C = 38.0
|Jul record high C = 35.2
|Aug record high C = 35.0
|Sep record high C = 35.2
|Oct record high C = 33.2
|Nov record high C = 32.0
|Dec record high C = 29.0
|year record high C = 38.0
|Jan high C = 10.8
|Feb high C = 10.3
|Mar high C = 11.7
|Apr high C = 16.5
|May high C = 21.5
|Jun high C = 25.9
|Jul high C = 28.6
|Aug high C = 28.3
|Sep high C = 25.7
|Oct high C = 21.3
|Nov high C = 17.4
|Dec high C = 13.5
|year high C = 19.3
|Jan mean C = 6.9
|Feb mean C = 6.9
|Mar mean C = 8.7
|Apr mean C = 13.1
|May mean C = 18.3
|Jun mean C = 22.6
|Jul mean C = 25.2
|Aug mean C = 24.8
|Sep mean C = 22.3
|Oct mean C = 17.7
|Nov mean C = 13.4
|Dec mean C = 9.4
|year mean C = 15.8
|Jan low C = 3.4
|Feb low C = 3.7
|Mar low C = 5.9
|Apr low C = 9.8
|May low C = 14.7
|Jun low C = 18.8
|Jul low C = 21.4
|Aug low C = 21.3
|Sep low C = 19.0
|Oct low C = 14.5
|Nov low C = 9.8
|Dec low C = 5.7
|year low C = 12.3
|Jan record low C = -10.0
|Feb record low C = -6.0
|Mar record low C = -3.0
|Apr record low C = 0.0
|May record low C = 5.0
|Jun record low C = 9.0
|Jul record low C = 15.0
|Aug record low C = 16.0
|Sep record low C = 10.0
|Oct record low C = 5.0
|Nov record low C = -1.0
|Dec record low C = -2.0
|year record low C = -10.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 86.5
|Feb precipitation mm = 73.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 85.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 46.9
|May precipitation mm = 47.6
|Jun precipitation mm = 51.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 36.4
|Aug precipitation mm = 77.5
|Sep precipitation mm = 152.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 273.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 172.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 124.9
|year precipitation mm = 1228.6
|Jan humidity = 84
|Feb humidity = 85
|Mar humidity = 88
|Apr humidity = 86
|May humidity = 85
|Jun humidity = 81
|Jul humidity = 79
|Aug humidity = 82
|Sep humidity = 84
|Oct humidity = 86
|Nov humidity = 86
|Dec humidity = 85
|year humidity = 84
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 9.0
|Feb precipitation days = 8.7
|Mar precipitation days = 11.0
|Apr precipitation days = 8.3
|May precipitation days = 7.3
|Jun precipitation days = 4.9
|Jul precipitation days = 3.9
|Aug precipitation days = 6.6
|Sep precipitation days = 8.6
|Oct precipitation days = 11.6
|Nov precipitation days = 9.2
|Dec precipitation days = 8.8
|year precipitation days = 97.9
|Jan snow days = 1.2
|Feb snow days = 1.2
|Mar snow days = 0.8
|Apr snow days = 0.1
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.0
|Nov snow days = 0.1
|Dec snow days = 0.3
|year snow days = 3.7
|Jan sun = 111.3
|Feb sun = 98.9
|Mar sun = 84.1
|Apr sun = 119.4
|May sun = 161.7
|Jun sun = 186.8
|Jul sun = 183.3
|Aug sun = 159.8
|Sep sun = 119.5
|Oct sun = 108.8
|Nov sun = 110.2
|Dec sun = 96.1
|year sun = 1539.9
|source 1 = NOAA<ref name= NOAA>{{cite web
| url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-II/IR/40732.TXT
| title = Ramsar Climate Normals 1961-1990
| publisher =[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| accessdate = April 7, 2015}}</ref>
|source 2 = Iran Meteorological Organization (records)<ref name= recordhighs>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/maz/RAMSAR/7.asp
| title = Highest record temperature in Ramsar by Month 1955–2010
| publisher = Iran Meteorological Organization
| accessdate = April 7, 2015}}</ref><ref name= recordlows>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.chaharmahalmet.ir/stat/archive/iran/maz/RAMSAR/6.asp
| title = Lowest record temperature in Ramsar by Month 1955–2010
| publisher = Iran Meteorological Organization
| accessdate = April 7, 2015}}</ref>
|date=December 2011
}}
Northern Iran, as well as most portions of Iran, is separated by mountains. As a result, the air in Teheran is very dry. When driving to Ramsar from Teheran, one drives up the mountains until he or she arrives at a tunnel. On passing through this tunnel and coming out the other side, the environment is very different; it is more humid and green due to moisture from the Caspian sea.

==Radioactivity==
[[File:Ramsar radiation.jpg|thumb|Two survey meters show dose rates of 142 and 143 [[µSv]]/h on contact with a bedroom wall.]]
[[File:Rostam Ramsar.jpg|thumb|The statue of [[Rostam]] in front of Ramsar Old Hotel]]

Ramsar's Talesh Mahalleh district is the most radioactive inhabited area known on Earth, due to nearby [[hot spring]]s and building materials originating from them.<ref name="medgeo">{{cite book|last1=Selinus|first1=Olle |last2=Finkelman|first2=Robert B. |last3=Centeno|first3=Jose A. |title=Medical Geology: A Regional Synthesis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BDZStwE2AXkC&pg=PA163 |accessdate=10 November 2012 |date=14 January 2011| publisher=Springer |isbn=978-90-481-3429-8 |pages=162–165}}</ref> A combined population of 2,000 residents from this district and other high radiation neighbourhoods receive an average [[radiation dose]] of 10 [[mGy]] per year, ten times more than the ICRP recommended limit for exposure to the public from artificial sources.<ref name="Mortazavi2005">{{cite journal |last=Mortazavi |first=S.M.J. |author2=P.A. Karamb |title=Apparent lack of radiation susceptibility among residents of the high background radiation area in Ramsar, Iran: can we relax our standards? |journal=Radioactivity in the Environment |year=2005| volume=7| pages=1141–1147 |issn=1569-4860|doi=10.1016/S1569-4860(04)07140-2}}</ref> Record levels were found in a house where the [[effective radiation dose]] due to external radiation was 131 [[mSv]]/a, and the [[committed dose]] from [[radon]] was 72 mSv/a.<ref name=HNBR2009>{{cite journal|last=Hendry|first=Jolyon H|author2=Simon, Steven L |author3=Wojcik, Andrzej |author4=Sohrabi, Mehdi |author5=Burkart, Werner |author6=Cardis, Elisabeth |author7=Laurier, Dominique |author8=Tirmarche, Margot |author9= Hayata, Isamu  |title=Human exposure to high natural background radiation: what can it teach us about radiation risks?|journal=Journal of Radiological Protection|date=1 June 2009|volume=29|issue=2A|pages=A29–A42|doi=10.1088/0952-4746/29/2A/S03 |pmid=19454802 |url=http://cricket.biol.sc.edu/papers/natural/Hendry%20et%20al%202009.pdf |accessdate=1 December 2012 |pmc=4030667}}</ref> This unique case is over 80 times higher than the world average [[background radiation]].

The prevailing model of [[radiation-induced cancer]] posits that the risk rises linearly with dose at a rate of 5% per Sv. If this [[linear no-threshold model]] is correct, it should be possible to observe an increased incidence of cancer in Ramsar through careful long-term studies currently underway.<ref name=Mortazavi2005 /> Early anecdotal evidence from local doctors and preliminary cytogenetic studies suggested that there may be no such harmful effect, and possibly even a radioadaptive effect.<ref name="GN2002">{{cite journal|last=Ghiassi-nejad|first=M|author2=Mortazavi, SM |author3=Cameron, JR |author4=Niroomand-rad, A |author5= Karam, PA |title=Very high background radiation areas of Ramsar, Iran: preliminary biological studies.|journal=Health physics|date=January 2002 |volume=82 |issue=1 |pages=87–93 |pmid=11769138 |url=http://www.probeinternational.org/Ramsar.pdf|accessdate=11 November 2012 |doi=10.1097/00004032-200201000-00011}}</ref> More recent epidemiological data show a slightly reduced lung cancer rate<ref>{{cite journal |last=Mortazavi |first=S.M.J. |author2=Ghiassi-Nejad, M. |author3=Rezaiean, M. |title=Cancer risk due to exposure to high levels of natural radon in the inhabitants of Ramsar, Iran|journal=High Levels of Natural Radiation and Radon Areas: Radiation Dose and Health Effects |year=2005 |volume=1276 |pages=436–437 |doi=10.1016/j.ics.2004.12.012}}</ref> and non-significantly elevated morbidity, but the small size of the population (only 1800 inhabitants in the high-background areas) will require a longer monitoring period to draw definitive conclusions.<ref>{{ Citation |first=Alireza | last=Mosavi-Jarrahi |first2=Mohammadali |last2=Mohagheghi |first3=Suminori |last3=Akiba | first4=Bahareh |last4=Yazdizadeh |first5=Nilofar |last5=Motamedid |first6=Ali| last6=Shabestani Monfared |title=Mortality and morbidity from cancer in the population exposed to high level of natural radiation area in Ramsar, Iran |journal=International Congress Series |volume=1276 |year=2005 |pages=106–109 |url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531513104017492 |doi=10.1016/j.ics.2004.11.109}}</ref> Furthermore, there are questions regarding possible non-cancer effects of the radiation background. An Iranian study has shown that people in the area have a significantly higher expression of [[CD69]] gene and also a higher incidence of stable and unstable chromosomal aberrations.<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=15063540 |doi=10.1016/j.jenvrad.2003.12.001 |volume=74 |issue=1-3 |title=Long-term immune and cytogenetic effects of high level natural radiation on Ramsar inhabitants in Iran | year=2004 |journal=J Environ Radioact |pages=107–16}}</ref> Chromosomal aberrations have been found in other studies<ref>{{citation |first=F. |last=Zakeri |first2=M. R. |last2=Rajabpour |first3=S. A. |last3=Haeri | first4=R. |last4=Kanda |first5=I. |last5=Hayata |first6=S. |last6=Nakamura |first7=T. | last7=Sugahara |first8=M. J. |last8=Ahmadpour |title=Chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of individuals living in high background radiation areas of Ramsar, Iran |journal=Radiation and Environmental Biophysics |year=2011 |volume=50 | issue=4 |pages=571–578 |pmid=21894441 |doi=10.1007/s00411-011-0381-x}}</ref> and a possible elevation of female infertility has been reported.<ref>{{citation |first=Y. |last=Tabarraie |first2=S. |last2=Refahi |first3=M.H. |last3=Dehghan |first4=M. |last4=Mashoufi |title=Impact of High Natural Background Radiation on Woman's Primary Infertility |journal=Research Journal of Biological Sciences |year=2008 |volume=3 |issue=5 |pages=534–536 | url=http://medwelljournals.com/abstract/?doi=rjbsci.2008.534.536}}</ref>

[[Radiation hormesis]] was not observed in a study that also recommended that Ramsar does not provide justification to relax existing regulatory dose limits.<ref>{{cite journal| last=Ghiassi-nejad| first=M| author2=Mortazavi, SM |author3=Cameron, JR |author4=Niroomand-rad, A |author5= Karam, PA |title=Very high background radiation areas of Ramsar, Iran: preliminary biological studies.|journal=Health physics|date=January 2002| volume=82| issue=1|page=92| pmid=11769138|url=http://www.probeinternational.org/Ramsar.pdf|accessdate=11 November 2012| quote=we do not claim to have seen hormetic effects in any of those studied. ... the available data do not seem sufficient to cause national or international advisory bodies to change their current conservative radiation protection recommendations;| doi=10.1097/00004032-200201000-00011}}</ref> Pending further study, the potential health risks had moved scientists in 2001–02 to call for relocation of the residents and regulatory control of new construction.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Ghiassi-Nejad|first=M.|author2=S. M. J. Mortazavi |author3=M. Beitollahi |author4=R. Assaie |author5=A. Heidary |author6=R. Varzegar |author7=F. Zakeri |author8=M. Jafari |title=Very High Background Radiation Areas (VHBRAs) of Ramsar: Do We Need Any Regulations to Protect the Inhabitants?|journal=34th Annual Midyear Meeting, "Radiation Safety and ALARA Considerations for the 21st Century", Regulatory Considerations Session|location=Anaheim, CA|year=2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal| last=Karam| first=P.A| author2=Mortazavi, S.M.J |author3=Ghiassi-Nejad, M |author4=Ikushima, T |author5=Cameron, J.R |author6= Niroomand-rad, A |title=ICRP evolutionary recommendations and the reluctance of the members of the public to carry out remedial work against radon in some high-level natural radiation areas|journal=Radiation and homeostasis| year=2002| volume=1236| pages=35–37| doi=10.1016/S0531-5131(01)00765-8}}</ref>

The radioactivity is due to the local geology. Underground water dissolves [[radium]] in uraniferous igneous rock and carries it to the surface through at least nine known hot springs.<ref name=GN2002 /> These are used as [[spa]]s by locals and tourists. Some of the radium precipitates into [[travertine]], a form of limestone, and the rest diffuses into the [[soil]], where it is absorbed by crops and mixes with drinking water. Residents have unknowingly used the radioactive limestone as a building material for their homes. The stone irradiates the inhabitants and generates [[radon]] gas which is usually seen to promote [[lung cancer]]. Crops contribute 72 µSv/yr to a critical group of 50 residents.<ref>{{cite journal| last=Ghiassi-Nejad| first=M|author2=Beitollahi, MM |author3=Asefi, M |author4= Reza-Nejad, F |title=Exposure to (226)Ra from consumption of vegetables in the high level natural radiation area of Ramsar-Iran.| journal=Journal of Environmental Radioactivity| year=2003|volume=66| issue=3|pages=215–25| pmid=12600755| doi=10.1016/S0265-931X(02)00108-X}}</ref>

==International relations==

===Twin towns and sister cities===
RAMSAR is [[Town twinning|twinned]] with:
*{{flagicon|Chile}} Portmont, [[Chile]] (Since 28 January 2009)
*{{flagicon|Qatar}} [[Al Wakrah]], [[Qatar]] (Since 14 June 2010)
*{{flagicon|Iran}} [[Shiraz]], [[Iran]] (Since 9 January 2013)

==Notable people==
* [[Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei]] (b. 1960) - politician
* [[Mohammad Reza Khalatbari]] (b. 1983) - football player

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
File:Hotelghadim.JPG|The Old Hotel of Ramsar
File:Ramsar-shah-table.JPG|The desk of [[Mohammad Reza Shah]]
File:جنگل دالیخانی .jpg|Dalikhani Forest 
File:Palais ramsar.jpg|Marble palace in Ramsar
File:Ramsar Hotel.jpg|Ramsar Hotel
File:جواهرده.jpeg|[[Javaher Deh]]
File:Ramsar Walkway.jpg|A walkway in front of the old hotel
File:جنگل دالیخانی.jpg|Dalikhani Forest
File:Esfandiyar Ramsar.jpg|[[Esfandiyār]] statue
File:North of Iran - Ramsar (palace).jpg|A palace in Ramsar
File:Mazandaran Ramsar Coast.jpg|Ramsar Caspian coast
File:Ramsar bridge, 2016.JPG|Ramsar Bridge
File:Ramsar, Mazandaran Bazar, 23 April 2016.jpg|Ramsar Bazaar
</gallery>
</center>

==See also==
{{Portal|Iran}}
* [[Rejuvenation (aging)]]
* [[Background radiation]]
* [[Banana equivalent dose]]
* [[History of Iran]]
* [[Tourism in Iran]]
* [[International rankings of Iran]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.irantour.org/Iran/city/RAMSAR.html Ramsar's tourism]
* [http://www.ecolo.org/documents/documents_in_english/ramsar-natural-radioactivity/ramsar.html Ramsar's radioactivity]
* [http://www.intercaspian.com/photobank/ir/mazandaran/pb_mazandaran1.html Photos of Ramsar <small>(Permission to use and copy these photos is hereby granted provided the above copyright notice appears in all the copies and modified versions of photos.)</small>]
* [http://sitra.blogfa.com ramsar]

{{Commons category|position=left|Ramsar}}

{{Ramsar County}}
{{Mazandaran Province}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Mazandaran Province]]
[[Category:Populated places in Ramsar County|*]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Iran]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Caspian Sea]]
[[Category:Cities in Iran]]