Ramsar, Mazandaran

For the administrative subdivision, see Ramsar County. For the wetland preservation organization, see Ramsar Convention.
"Sakht Sar" redirects here. For the administrative subdivision, see Sakht Sar Rural District.
Ramsar
Persian: رامسر‎‎ ‹Ramsar›
city

From top left, Ramsar Old Hotel, Sunset at Caspian Sea, Statue of Esfandiyār, Ramsar Marble Palace, Ramsar Hotel Walkway, Ramsar Campus of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences and Ramsar Gondola lift (Ramsar Télécabine)
Motto: The Paradise on Earth (Behesht-e rooy-e Zamin)
Ramsar

Location of Ramsar in Iran

Coordinates: 36°54′11″N 50°39′30″E / 36.90306°N 50.65833°E / 36.90306; 50.65833Coordinates: 36°54′11″N 50°39′30″E / 36.90306°N 50.65833°E / 36.90306; 50.65833
Country  Iran
Province Mazandaran
County Ramsar
Bakhsh Central
Government
 • Mayor (Ŝahrdār) Mohsen Morradi
Elevation 985 m (3,232 ft)
Population (2012)
 • Total 33,018
Time zone IRST (UTC+3:30)
 • Summer (DST) IRDT (UTC+4:30)
Website http://www.sh-ramsar.ir

Ramsar (Persian: رامسر‎‎, also Romanized as Rāmsar and Rānsar; formerly, Sakht Sar)[1] 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.[2]

Ramsar lies on the coast of the Caspian Sea. It was also known as Sakhtsar in the past. Natives of Ramsar speak the Gilaki language which is a member of Northwest-Iranian languages and a dialect of Persian along with Mazandarani. The town is known for having some of the highest levels of natural background radiation on Earth.

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.

Map showing position of Ramsar county as well as Ramsar city in Mazandaran province

Tourism

Old Hotel of Ramsar

Ramsar is a popular sea resort for Iranian tourists. The town also offers hot springs, the green forests of the Alborz Mountains, the 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 Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, 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.[3] 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).[4]

Climate

Climate data for Ramsar (1961–1990, extremes 1955–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 31.0
(87.8)		 26.0
(78.8)		 36.8
(98.2)		 35.0
(95)		 34.4
(93.9)		 38.0
(100.4)		 35.2
(95.4)		 35.0
(95)		 35.2
(95.4)		 33.2
(91.8)		 32.0
(89.6)		 29.0
(84.2)		 38.0
(100.4)
Average high °C (°F) 10.8
(51.4)		 10.3
(50.5)		 11.7
(53.1)		 16.5
(61.7)		 21.5
(70.7)		 25.9
(78.6)		 28.6
(83.5)		 28.3
(82.9)		 25.7
(78.3)		 21.3
(70.3)		 17.4
(63.3)		 13.5
(56.3)		 19.3
(66.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 6.9
(44.4)		 6.9
(44.4)		 8.7
(47.7)		 13.1
(55.6)		 18.3
(64.9)		 22.6
(72.7)		 25.2
(77.4)		 24.8
(76.6)		 22.3
(72.1)		 17.7
(63.9)		 13.4
(56.1)		 9.4
(48.9)		 15.8
(60.4)
Average low °C (°F) 3.4
(38.1)		 3.7
(38.7)		 5.9
(42.6)		 9.8
(49.6)		 14.7
(58.5)		 18.8
(65.8)		 21.4
(70.5)		 21.3
(70.3)		 19.0
(66.2)		 14.5
(58.1)		 9.8
(49.6)		 5.7
(42.3)		 12.3
(54.1)
Record low °C (°F) −10.0
(14)		 −6.0
(21.2)		 −3.0
(26.6)		 0.0
(32)		 5.0
(41)		 9.0
(48.2)		 15.0
(59)		 16.0
(60.8)		 10.0
(50)		 5.0
(41)		 −1.0
(30.2)		 −2.0
(28.4)		 −10.0
(14)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 86.5
(3.406)		 73.7
(2.902)		 85.6
(3.37)		 46.9
(1.846)		 47.6
(1.874)		 51.0
(2.008)		 36.4
(1.433)		 77.5
(3.051)		 152.5
(6.004)		 273.1
(10.752)		 172.9
(6.807)		 124.9
(4.917)		 1,228.6
(48.37)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 9.0 8.7 11.0 8.3 7.3 4.9 3.9 6.6 8.6 11.6 9.2 8.8 97.9
Average snowy days 1.2 1.2 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.3 3.7
Average relative humidity (%) 84 85 88 86 85 81 79 82 84 86 86 85 84
Mean monthly sunshine hours 111.3 98.9 84.1 119.4 161.7 186.8 183.3 159.8 119.5 108.8 110.2 96.1 1,539.9
Source #1: NOAA[5]
Source #2: Iran Meteorological Organization (records)[6][7]

Radioactivity

Two survey meters show dose rates of 142 and 143 µSv/h on contact with a bedroom wall
The statue of Rostam in front of Ramsar Old Hotel

Ramsar's Talesh Mahalleh district is the most radioactive inhabited area known in the world, due to nearby hot springs and building materials originating from them.[8] A combined population of 2000 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.[9] 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.[10] 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.[9] 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.[11] More recent epidemiological data show a slightly reduced lung cancer rate[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] Chromosomal aberrations have been found in other studies[15] and a possible elevation of female infertility has been reported.[16]

Radiation hormesis was not observed in a study that also recommended that Ramsar does not provide justification to relax existing regulatory dose limits.[17] Pending further study, the potential health risks have moved scientists to call for relocation of the residents and regulatory control of new construction.[18][19]

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.[11] These are used as spas 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.[20]

Northern Iran, as well as most portions of Iran, is separated by mountains. As a result, in Teheran the air is very dry. If you drive to Ramsar from Teheran, you will drive up the mountains until you arrive at a tunnel. When you go through this tunnel and come out the other side it is a different environment: it is more humid and green, due to moisture from the Caspian sea.

International relations

Twin towns and sister cities

RAMSAR is twinned with:

Notable people

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ramsar, Mazandaran can be found at GEOnet Names Server, at this link, by opening the Advanced Search box, entering "-3081959" in the "Unique Feature Id" form, and clicking on "Search Database".
  2. ↑ Template:IranCensus2012
  3. ↑ 2011-03-07
  4. ↑ Ramsar: A brief history, retrieved 2009-11-07
  5. ↑ "Ramsar Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Highest record temperature in Ramsar by Month 1955–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Lowest record temperature in Ramsar by Month 1955–2010". Iran Meteorological Organization. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  8. ↑ Selinus, Olle; Finkelman, Robert B.; Centeno, Jose A. (14 January 2011). Medical Geology: A Regional Synthesis. Springer. pp. 162–165. ISBN 978-90-481-3429-8. Retrieved 10 November 2012.
  9. 1 2 Mortazavi, S.M.J.; P.A. Karamb (2005). "Apparent lack of radiation susceptibility among residents of the high background radiation area in Ramsar, Iran: can we relax our standards?". Radioactivity in the Environment 7: 1141–1147. doi:10.1016/S1569-4860(04)07140-2. ISSN 1569-4860.
  10. ↑ Hendry, Jolyon H; Simon, Steven L; Wojcik, Andrzej; Sohrabi, Mehdi; Burkart, Werner; Cardis, Elisabeth; Laurier, Dominique; Tirmarche, Margot; Hayata, Isamu (1 June 2009). "Human exposure to high natural background radiation: what can it teach us about radiation risks?" (PDF). Journal of Radiological Protection 29 (2A): A29–A42. doi:10.1088/0952-4746/29/2A/S03. PMC 4030667. PMID 19454802. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  11. 1 2 Ghiassi-nejad, M; Mortazavi, SM; Cameron, JR; Niroomand-rad, A; Karam, PA (January 2002). "Very high background radiation areas of Ramsar, Iran: preliminary biological studies." (PDF). Health physics 82 (1): 87–93. doi:10.1097/00004032-200201000-00011. PMID 11769138. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  12. ↑ Mortazavi, S.M.J.; Ghiassi-Nejad, M.; Rezaiean, M. (2005). "Cancer risk due to exposure to high levels of natural radon in the inhabitants of Ramsar, Iran". High Levels of Natural Radiation and Radon Areas: Radiation Dose and Health Effects 1276: 436–437. doi:10.1016/j.ics.2004.12.012.
  13. ↑ Mosavi-Jarrahi, Alireza; Mohagheghi, Mohammadali; Akiba, Suminori; Yazdizadeh, Bahareh; Motamedid, Nilofar; Shabestani Monfared, Ali (2005), "Mortality and morbidity from cancer in the population exposed to high level of natural radiation area in Ramsar, Iran", International Congress Series 1276: 106–109, doi:10.1016/j.ics.2004.11.109
  14. ↑ "Long-term immune and cytogenetic effects of high level natural radiation on Ramsar inhabitants in Iran". J Environ Radioact 74 (1-3): 107–16. 2004. doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2003.12.001. PMID 15063540.
  15. ↑ Zakeri, F.; Rajabpour, M. R.; Haeri, S. A.; Kanda, R.; Hayata, I.; Nakamura, S.; Sugahara, T.; Ahmadpour, M. J. (2011), "Chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of individuals living in high background radiation areas of Ramsar, Iran", Radiation and Environmental Biophysics 50 (4): 571–578, doi:10.1007/s00411-011-0381-x, PMID 21894441
  16. ↑ Tabarraie, Y.; Refahi, S.; Dehghan, M.H.; Mashoufi, M. (2008), "Impact of High Natural Background Radiation on Woman`s Primary Infertility", Research Journal of Biological Sciences 3 (5): 534–536
  17. ↑ Ghiassi-nejad, M; Mortazavi, SM; Cameron, JR; Niroomand-rad, A; Karam, PA (January 2002). "Very high background radiation areas of Ramsar, Iran: preliminary biological studies." (PDF). Health physics 82 (1): 92. doi:10.1097/00004032-200201000-00011. PMID 11769138. Retrieved 11 November 2012. 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;
  18. ↑ Ghiassi-Nejad, M.; S. M. J. Mortazavi; M. Beitollahi; R. Assaie; A. Heidary; R. Varzegar; F. Zakeri; M. Jafari (2001). "Very High Background Radiation Areas (VHBRAs) of Ramsar: Do We Need Any Regulations to Protect the Inhabitants?". 34th Annual Midyear Meeting, "Radiation Safety and ALARA Considerations for the 21st Century", Regulatory Considerations Session (Anaheim, CA).
  19. ↑ Karam, P.A; Mortazavi, S.M.J; Ghiassi-Nejad, M; Ikushima, T; Cameron, J.R; Niroomand-rad, A (2002). "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". Radiation and homeostasis 1236: 35–37. doi:10.1016/S0531-5131(01)00765-8.
  20. ↑ Ghiassi-Nejad, M; Beitollahi, MM; Asefi, M; Reza-Nejad, F (2003). "Exposure to (226)Ra from consumption of vegetables in the high level natural radiation area of Ramsar-Iran.". Journal of environmental radioactivity 66 (3): 215–25. doi:10.1016/S0265-931X(02)00108-X. PMID 12600755.

External links

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