Sahand

For the Iranian Frigate Sahand see: Iranian frigate Sahand.

Sahand
NASA Space Shuttle image of Sahand. NW at top.
Elevation	3,707 m (12,162 ft)
Location	East Azarbaijan, Iran
Prominence	1,826 m (5,991 ft)
Coordinates	37°45′N 46°26′E / 37.75°N 46.43°E / 37.75; 46.43
Type	Stratovolcano
Age of rock	1.2–0.8 million years
Last eruption	unknown, possibly Holocene
Listing	Ultra

Sahand (Persian: سهند, Azerbaijani: سهند ) is a massive, heavily eroded stratovolcano in northwestern Iran. At 3,707 m (12,162 ft), it is the highest mountain in the Iranian province of East Azarbaijan.

It is one of the highest mountains in Iranian Azerbaijan, in addition to being an important dormant volcano in the country. The Sahand mountains are directly south of Tabriz, the highest peak of which is Kamal at an altitude of 3,707 m.. Approximately 17 peaks can be accounted for as being over 3,000 m. in height. Due to the presence of a variety of flora and fauna, the Sahand mountains are known as the bride of mountains in Iran.

It is also the name of an Iranian Saam Class frigate sunk in Operation Praying Mantis by American forces in 1988.

Winter Sports

On the north foot of the mountain and near the city of Tabriz, a winter sport's complex has been built. This complex, also known as the Sahand Skiing Stadium, greets visiters with a variety of sports including, skiing and snowboarding. The snow statue competition, which runs once a year at mid-winter in the stadium is a famous and amusing event, which attracts spectators and competitors form all over the country.

See also

• List of volcanoes in Iran
• Sahand University of Technology

References

• "Sahand". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0302-001. 

This East Azarbaijan province location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.