Talesh County

Talesh County () is in Gilan province, in northwestern Iran. Its capital is the city of Tālesh.

History The Talysh peoples are, as archaeological studies show, one of the oldest inhabitants of the western littoral Caspian Sea areas, which stretches from Dagestan in the north, to Iran in the south. The Talysh have lived in what are known as "Talysh land" for millennia, and are amongst the native inhabitants of what is today Iran and neighboring Azerbaijan. There is a belief amongst scholars, as well as by the Talysh themselves who generally identify with the Cadusii, that the ancient Cadusii are the ancestor of the today's Talysh.

The lands of the Talesh were much larger than the present day area. In olden times the geographical areas of the Talysh people was more than 10,000 km2. At present the Taleshan live in Gilan Province, and some cities in Ardabil Province (Iran) and southeastern Azarbaijan.

The territory of Talesh County was a part of the Karganrud Khanate. After the Russo-Persian War, in order to weaken the influence of Mir Mostafa Khan, Fath 'Ali Shah divided the region among 5 local families, creating the Khamsa of Talesh.

In 2024, Saheli-ye Jokandan Rural District was separated from the Central District in the formation of Jokandan District, including the new Nilrud Rural District.

Demographics Languages

Generally speaking, the land of Talesh has been divided in three regions: Gaskarat (Masalli, Taskoh, Shanderman, Rezvashar, Hashtpar, Asalem, Astara); Foumanat (Fouman, Masoleh, and Shaft); and Azerbaijan Taloshian (Lankaran amongst others). In Gaskarat, the majority of people speak Taleshi and Farsi. In Foumanat, most speak Taleshi. Lastly, Talysh from neighboring Azerbaijan are often bilingual and trilingual, consisting of Taleshi, Azeri and Russian speakers.Asatrian, G. and H. Borjian, 2005. Talish: people and language: The state of research. Iran and the Caucasus 9/1, p 43–72

Gilaki and Taleshi are rapidly losing ground in many cities of Tavalesh due to heavy immigration of people from Azerbaijan.Gilan. — X. Languages (author Donald Stilo), pp. 660. // Encyclopaedia Iranica. Volume X: Fisheries — Gindaros. Fascicle 6. Edited by Ehsan Yarshater. New York: Bibliotheca Persica Press, 2001, 672 pages.

Religion Talesh people at present are Sunni and Shia Muslims. Most of the southern and central Taleshian are Shia, and northern Taleshian are composed of both Shia and Sunni.

Population At the time of the 2006 National Census, the county's population was 179,499 in 42,949 households. The following census in 2011 counted 189,933 people in 52,989 households. The 2016 census measured the population of the county as 200,649 in 61,055 households.

Administrative divisions

Talesh County's population history and administrative structure over three consecutive censuses are shown in the following table.

+ Talesh County Population Administrative Divisions 2006 2011 2016 Central District 85,258 91,978 97,982 Kuhestani-ye Talesh RD 6,479 5,914 7,482 Saheli-ye Jokandan RD 18,232 18,515 19,442 Tula Rud RD 19,061 15,205 16,880 Tālesh (city) 41,486 52,344 54,178 Asalem District 39,089 40,569 42,219 Asalem RD 20,226 16,117 16,442 Khaleh Sara RD 6,930 7,495 7,702 Kharajgil RD 8,586 6,917 7,355 Asalem (city) 3,347 10,040 10,720 Haviq District 30,348 31,840 33,940 Chubar RD 16,429 12,877 14,299 Haviq RD 11,201 9,247 9,826 Chubar (city) 1,481 5,522 5,554 Haviq (city) 1,237 4,194 4,261 Jokandan District Nilrud RD Saheli-ye Jokandan RD Kargan Rud District 24,804 25,546 26,508 Khotbeh Sara RD 13,495 14,036 14,291 Lisar RD 8,710 8,248 8,570 Lisar (city) 2,599 3,262 3,647 Total 179,499 189,933 200,649

Geography Talesh is located on the southwestern coast of the Caspian Sea. Talesh County, covering an area of 2373 square kilometers, is ¼ of surface area of Gilan Province.

Talesh County has inland scenic areas in the Alborz mountain range, with intact natural habitats that are places for appreciating nature.

Agriculture Rice has been cultivated in this region for many years, where some indigenous cultivars (landrace) were conventionally bred by farmers.

Historical monuments and natural sites

Salsal village which goes back to Ismaeilieh era near Ghalehbin village located 15 km. from Talesh.. White Mosque which dates from Seljukian era that situated at Hashtpar (Talesh) city . Agh-ev-lar region at a distance of 32 km of this city which is considered among the first grade tourist sites of the Iran. Asalem - Khalkhal road, and Laezeh countryside on the way to Khalkhal . Coasts of Kissom Loomer Waterfall Nasrollah Khan Sardar Amjad (Amidossaltaneh) Winter Quarters Castle - dates back to Qajar Era. It has eight sides. Nasrolah Khan Sardar Amjad (Amidossaltaneh) Summer Quarters Castle - in Aq Evlar Village. Three - Floor Tombs Around the Lighthouse (Atashkadeh), and Remnants of Mard Ali Bil. Aq Evlar Old Bath - located in a garden of Merian Village, built in Safavid Era ( 500 years ago). Soobatan countryside. Talesh Natural Park - covering an area of .

Talesh County

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