The Hyrcanian forests: an ancient green world on the Caspian

Stretching along the Caspian Sea, Iran’s Hyrcanian forests are remnants of woodland that has survived for millions of years.

The Hyrcanian forests: an ancient green world on the Caspian
Image: Photo: Ninara / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Along the southern shore of the Caspian Sea, the slopes of the Alborz mountains are covered by the Hyrcanian forests, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019.

A living relic

These broad-leaved forests are remnants of woodland that once covered much larger areas and survived the ice ages in this sheltered corner of the world.

Rich in life

They are home to a remarkable diversity of trees, plants and wildlife, and to villages whose traditions are closely tied to the forest.