Miankaleh Peninsula

The Miankaleh Peninsula lies at the far southeastern end of the Caspian Sea, twelve kilometres north of the city of Behshahr. It covers more than sixty-eight thousand hectares, and its elevation is between 15 and 28 metres below the level of the open sea. Miankaleh was designated a "Protected Area" in 1348 (1969 CE), and it is now under environmental protection as a wildlife refuge, an internationally recognised wetland and a biosphere reserve.

One reason for Miankaleh's importance is that, along the entire southern coast of the Caspian Sea, it is the only area whose natural environment has remained relatively untouched. All the other coasts have been extensively transformed by human construction such as roads, towns, villages and factories. For this reason, the health of this area is vital to the health of the Caspian Sea as a whole. Miankaleh's relatively healthy condition means that its wetlands and shores are not only a haven for migratory birds, but also a spawning ground and main habitat for many Caspian fish, especially carp, mullet and sturgeon. Nearly half of Iran's caviar is harvested from the waters of this area.

The Miankaleh Wetland is part of this peninsula and lies west of Ashuradeh. It was the first international wetland to be listed in the Ramsar Convention's register of wetlands. This wetland, which covers 100,000 hectares, is home to 40 bird species. In the past, Miankaleh had a far more magnificent and richer natural environment than today. Besides its abundant birdlife, it was one of the best habitats in Iran for large mammals, including the Caspian tiger.

The best time to visit the Miankaleh Wetland is in autumn and winter, when the largest number of migratory birds are present and there is a greater chance of seeing a wide variety of wildlife. As a protected area, the Miankaleh Wetland requires a permit from the Department of Environment. This permit is issued to protect biodiversity and ensure proper management of the area. Because of the importance of this wildlife habitat and its special location, swimming in the sea at Miankaleh is prohibited. However, near the area there are beaches such as Morvarid Beach, Sadaf Beach and the Imam Khomeini Camp, as well as sea-sanitation projects that provide suitable places for swimming.