Lavasan


Lavasan is an affluent town in Shemiranat County, Tehran Province, Iran. At the 2011 census, its population was 28,558, in 7,645 families. The Jajrood River flows through Lavasan. Situated 11 kilometers northeast of Tehran, Lavasan is known for its excellent weather and the luxurious mansions. The city is home to many upper-class and wealthy families. Some Iranians call it the Beverly Hills or Switzerland of Tehran.
The city of Lavasan is part of the Lavasanat district. Together with the Rudbar-e Qasran district, it constitutes the subprovince of Shemiran in the Tehran Province.

Geography

Lavasan has an area of 70 square kilometres. Two most infuencial parts of Lavasan are Great Lavasan and Little Lavasan. While the Great Lavasan was more vibrant in the early 1950s due to its location as a trade hub, the Little Lavasan has become more populated in the past few decades. Until the construction of Road_59_ and other routs to the North of Iran, Great Lavasan was a thriving city on a trade path between Tehran and North of Iran with several promenant families owning and managing the Lar Karvansara in the Lar National Park, and who were active in trades of rice and production of honey among other product, hence the name "Great Lavasan". In the ealy 1900s Great Lavasan was home to several affluent families and traders with many unique and thriving orchards. Currently Great Lavasan is less populated than the Little Lavasan due to more restricted construction regulations as well as influx of new residents moving to Little Lavasan from other cities. Great Lavasan has access from the Jajrood road while the Little Lavasan has access from the behind the Latian Dam and have different areas including Saboo Bozorg, Saboo Koochak, Tork Mahale, Seied Paiz etc.

Etymology

The name of Lavasan is a Middle Persian word which means "The Mount Blade of Sunrise" or "Mountaintop of Sunrise". It refers to Mount Damavand that is located in the middle Alborz Range in the east of Lavasanat District.

History

In the 19th century, during the Qajar era, Lavasan was reportedly a large village, with some 500 houses and about 200 inhabitants.
Under Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in the 1960s, a hydroelectric dam was built in the southeast of the village.

People

The natives of Lavasan are of Caspian origin. The local dialect or "vernacular" spoken by its natives is a mix of Persian and Caspian.

Notable residentslavasani genealogical tree presented in Ayatollah Sadeghi in Qum.

Lavasan has a cold semi-arid climate with significant continental influences.

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