Astara, Iran

Astara (; , also romanized as Āstārā) is a city and capital of Astara County, Gilan Province, Iran. It lies on the border with Azerbaijan Republic and on the Caspian Sea. It is an important border trade center between Iran and the Caucasus.
Etymology.
It is believed that the name "Astara" originates from the Talysh language.
History.
The earliest mention, under the name "Astārāb", comes in the Ḥodūd al-ʿālam, written toward the end of the 10th century. In the 14th century, Astara became the seat of the small principality of the Esfahbad or Espahbad (-bod) of Gīlān. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, the Ṭālešī Khans of Āstārā were either autonomous or nominally subordinate to the governors of Gīlān or Ardabīl; on several occasions they played important parts in the history of the Caspian provinces. According to Minorsky, We do not know whether the later governors of Astara still continued the line of the ispahbads. Even after the conquest of Northern Tālish by the Russians (1813) the family of the Tālish-khans maintained some special rights.
Astara was part of the short lived Talysh Khanate in the 18th and 19th centuries, and for a short while it was the capital of the Khanate before it was moved to Lankaran. In 1828, with the signing of the Treaty of Turkmenchay, Astara was split into two. The city of Astara in Azerbaijan is located just across the Astarachay River.
Tourism.
Astara has various attractions and is considered a major tourist destination for Iranians and foreigners, especially those from the Caucasus. The city has a selection of beaches and is near to a Temperate rainforest. Annually over six million Iranians, and six hundred thousand foreigners visit the city. The most popular beaches in this city are Shariati park and sadaf beach. Shariati beach park is located in the city, and Sadaf beach is 7 kilometers far from Astara city
Culture.
Astara is home to one of the first libraries established in the country.
Agriculture.
Rice has been cultivated in this region for many years, where some indigenous cultivars (landrace) were conventionally bred by farmers.
Climate.
Astara has a humid subtropical climate with relatively cold, wet winters and hot, humid summers.
Demographics.
The majority of people in Astara are ethnically Azerbaijani and speak the Azeri language. However, there is a sizeable Talysh minority in the city. Shia Islam is the predominant religion in the city, however there is also a minority of Sunni Muslims.