Kelardasht is a city in the Central District of Kelardasht County, Mazandaran province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.

Demographics

Language

The majority of the inhabitants speak Mazandarani and but a few migrants speak Kurdish.

Population

At the time of the 2006 National Census, the city's population was 11,921 in 3,361 households, when it was capital of the former Kelardasht District of Chalus County. The following census in 2011 counted 9,122 people in 2,809 households. The 2016 census measured the population of the city as 13,401 people in 4,565 households, by which time the district had been separated from the county in the establishment of Kelardasht County. Kelardasht was transferred to the new Central District as the county's capital.

Overview

The city comprises 5 districts (Hasankif, Lahoo, Kordichal, Valbal and Rudbarak, Mazandaran). Hasankif has been the business district for many years and is currently also the political center. Originally a farming area, in recent years much of its land was sold in small lots to build numerous villas which are occupied by summer visitors trying to escape the heat of Tehran and points further south. Its attractions include Alamkuh Mountain (the second tallest peak in Iran at 4850m), Abbasabad Road, Valasht lake and cooler climate. Picnicking and mountain climbing in the area surrounding Rudbarak, Mazandaran, Mazandaran are also popular, as well as in the Abbasabad Forest nearby.