Elburz Mountains

The Alborz mountains rise behind the Caspian plain of Tabaristan, dividing the humid northern slopes from the arid interior of Iran. Forests cover the mountains facing the sea, where moisture carried by northerly winds falls as rain. Beyond the crest, valleys descend toward the dry plateau. For the rulers of Tabaristan, these rugged uplands provided a natural refuge and separated their coastal lands from the great cities to the south.