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Astara is also the name of a Raion in Azerbaijan, see Astara (rayon). For the capital of Astara raion, see Astara, Azerbaijan.

Astara (Persian: آستارا) is a city in the Iranian province of Gilan.It lies on the border with Azerbaijan Republic.It is a relatively important border trade center between Iran and the Caucasus.

Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 3 People 4 Famous people from astara 5 External links

There are two main theories for the etymology of the city's name. One is that it is derived from the Persian or Talysh word آهسته رو (Aste-ro or Aheste-ro), meaning "the place where the travel gets slower" (given the marshlands that surrounded the region before). [1].The oldest theory is comes from Vedic songs and writings which explains Astara as a place where the rays of lights shine from behind to lit the pathways ahead.

Another theory is that the name may be derived from the Turkic words AST (=lower)+ ARA (or ARALIQ =land); meaning "The lower land", because it's located in one of the lowest lands of Azeri populated areas.^{[citation needed]} However considering the fact that the city was named prior to the Turkish migration in late 19th century, this theory is highly speculative and most likely politically motivated.

Astara is an area where Zoroaster may have visited. Its history dates back to 6,000 years ago. The spoken language was Talysh, but due to commerce with Azeris and migration of Azeris into town, the use of Talysh has been reduced significantly.

There is also a city with this name just on the opposite side of the border, within the Republic of Azerbaijan. The northern Astara (in present-day Azerbaijan) was ceded from Persia by the Gulistan Treaty of 1813 between Russia and Persia.

• Population: about 70,000
• Religion: Mostly Islam Shi'a Islam
• Ethnic groups: Azeris, Talysh
• Language: Azeri, Persian Talyshi and Galyishi

• Nima Youshij - a famous Iranian poet who lived in Astara
• Haj Karim Samadzad - a famous Iranian artist
• Alireza Hakim Zadeh - the capitan of the national football team in 1998
• Babak Hasanpoor - the youngest engineer in council of city in Iran and vice president of Guilan province council

• Astara entry in the Encyclopædia Iranica

Coordinates: 38°25′25″N, 48°52′24″E