Page 207 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

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Figure 12.5 Simorgh camp, Mt Damavand 4150m, south-west route

Mt Damavand as a natural tourist facilities are located on the riversides.
world heritage site Usually the direction of river flow is from north
to south in Damavand, the rainfalls and permanent
Mt Damavand was placed on the tentative list of snowcap on the peak being the source of water.
Iran’s world heritage sites submitted by the Iranian The main rivers of Damavand are the Lar and the
government to UNESCO in 2008. The site is Hablehrood. The Lar River is also one of the
described as an inactive volcanic mountain and sources of Tehran’s drinking water and Lar Dam
the highest elevation in Iran with numerous which is built on the river attracts many tourists
thermal springs and rich flora and fauna. Among in summer time to enjoy the cool weather and
the universal values are the numerous endemic tourist activities including fishing. Damavand
plant species mentioned by the Iranian specialists icefall is one of the most famous tourist attractions.
who introduced Damavand as a world heritage This is 12m high, 3m in diameter and is found at
site. The volcano that was first activated in the 5100m altitude near the southern climbing route.
Quaternary period is one of the world’s highest The icefall is almost a permanent one and only in
elevations with rich flora including endangered a very hot summer might it collapse. The icefall
species that should be protected. has an important place in the advertisement
literature of Damavand volcano tourism. It is one
Water sources of the volcano: Hot of the reasons that makes the south route more
popular than other routes to the summit and
springs, rivers, waterfalls and lakes attracts many visitors during summer, especially
in Damavand those coming from the hot climates of central Iran
There are numerous hot springs and rivers at Mt and international tourists from the Middle East
Damavand that attract tourists to the volcano, and (Figure 12.6).

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