Elburz

The Elburz, also spelled Elburz or Alborz, is a major mountain range in northern Iran. Running roughly northeast-southwest along the southern edge of the Caspian Sea, it forms a natural barrier between the Caspian littoral and the Iranian plateau. It extends for about 700 kilometers from the western border with Azerbaijan toward the eastern reaches of central Iran. The highest summit is Mount Damavand, at 5,671 meters, located northeast of Tehran.

Geologically, the Elburz range was formed by continued tectonic uplift associated with the collision of the Arabian and Iranian plates, part of the broader Alpine orogeny. The northern slopes receive substantial precipitation and host dense forests, while the southern slopes lie in a drier zone influenced by the continental climate. The range includes snow-covered peaks, deep canyons, and a series of passes that have long served as routes for trade and travel.

Hydrology and land use: The mountains are a crucial water source for northern Iran, feeding rivers and reservoirs used for irrigation and urban supply. The range hosts several protected areas and is a focus for tourism, mountaineering, and winter sports near major cities such as Tehran and along the Caspian coast. The region is seismically active; the 1990 Manjil-Rudbar earthquake and related events highlighted fault activity in the area.

Name and references: In English, the range is commonly referred to as the Elburz or Alborz Mountains. The spelling Elburz reflects Persian transliteration; Alborz is the more common academic form. The range has played a key role in Iran’s climate, ecology, and human history.