Natural geography of Alamoot (Alamut) and Roodbar
Ali Hayati
Location :
Alamot and Roodbar is located on the north east of Qazvin province with climatic diversity which lead to unique and special sort of capabilities in it.
Nowadays by regarding province divisions Alamoot and Roodbar are considered as two adjacent regions , while flashing back to the past  they were regarded as a unit district nominated Roodbar-e-alamoot and prior to that by the name Roodbar-e-shahrood .The region is now divided into two subregions  which constitutes Roodbar-e- shahrestan and Roodbar-e- Alamoot .
The territory is bounded from the north side to Dohezar and Sehezar rural district of Tonekabon in Mazandaran province and Eshkavar in Gilan province ,from the south edge to Taleghan and mountains located on the northern part of Qazvin , from the east side to Shirbasham pass in Tonekabon and from the western side to present Deylaman and Amarloo in Gilan .It is located on the slopes of Alborz high mountain ranges on the longitude of 49/55 and 50/44 and latitude of  36/37 and 36/22 .
According to the statistics issued in 2001 Alamoot and Roodbar by comprising the total area of 2036 SqKm consists of   261 villages which 52 of them are isolated by now .

Climate :

This mountainous land which is fully located on the elevation of Alborz mountain consists of an eye catching area  .
Above named climate includes a wide variety of natural unique potentials.
Part of this territory which is located on the edge of Shahrood grand valley seems to be warmer than the mountainside and the latitude  .
Although these regions are so close together in case of the distance , noticeable temperature differences is observed in a way that mountainside area is filled with snow and ice in the winter and enjoys a cool climate in the summer .
On the other hand the more we get closer to the edge of the Shahrood , the less cold weather is recorded so that the winter is warmer than the mountainside and the summer is registered to be warm .
The average rain precipitation recorded for Alamoot and Roodbar is 405 millimeters and the average yearly temperature is registered to be 5.5 degree centigrade. ( statistics issued by Environment Preserving organization)

Nomination :
 
Alamoot is the title for a district of Roodbar -e- Alamoot as well as a castle located in the region. Alamoot is a Persian term which was Ale -Amoot in the past . Some cultures and ancient histories consider Ale-Amoot to be comprised of two parts , namely Ale which means eagle and Amoot which means training .The word means " eagle trained " .
Considering the mentioned concept it can be concluded that eagle which inhabits the highest and most insular points, makes benefit of the latitude to teach flying to its chickens and Amoot contains  the meaning of the plateau or a house for training flying in the references .
There does not exist precise and authentic information about the exact date of the castle construction .
Some experts refer it to Hasan -ebn-e- Zeid-Albagheri in 246 Higrae in the time of Abasi caliph named Motevakel and the rest group attribute the construction to a Deylam ruler .
Today Alamoot castle is placed in the mountainous land of Alamoot but the whole area which is now addressed  by Roodbar-e- Alamoot , was known as Roodbar years ago to the 8th Islamic century . The nomination was base on the existence of various rivers in the region which combine to each other and convert in to a main stream called Shahrood .
Moreover , since Shahrood is passing through the mentioned land , this region is called Roodbar -e - shahrood .
In the pre Islam era and even after that until Saljooghi dynasty period  Roodbar-e-shahrood was regarded as a fraction of grand Deylam territory and for a period of time it was considered as a major part of Royan in Tabarestan .
Joveini addresses Shahrak-e-Roodbar as the capital of Deylam prior to Isalm appearance and even after that until the time of Saljooghi dynasty  .
( Joveini , 1367, p268)
The mentioned land was sometimes considered as Deylaman itself and sometimes as a part of Deylaman as well as the capital of it. During the other periods it was regarded as part of Royan in Tabarestan , and also a fraction of Qazvin and Rey until the time it ultimately joined Qazvin .
During the Ismailie ruling Roodbar-e-shahrood and the reputation of Alamoot castle caused the land to be nominated by the name of the castle .Fame of the Alamoot gods caused all the land of Roodbar-e-shahrood to be named by the title of Roodbar-e-Alamoot (Illustration No.2)
 
 



Strategically located  Site :

Roodbar and Alamoot hold unique and special situation in case of strategy condition in the vast geography of Iran .
By regarding  the narrow and deep valleys , impassable high mountains , change of the temperature and early coming and long lasting cold in the latitude and passes , encouraged combatant , patriot fighters and insurgents and revolutionists against the ruler opted this region as a safe and secure asylum to implement their plot .
This mountainous land by possessing high mountains as well as deep and horrible valleys and impassable natural position holds a unique characteristic .
Part of Alborz mountain plays the role of the border between this land and Caspian sea and prevents invaders penetration through the area .
 Northern part of Savojbolagh , Feshkeldare , Qazvin and Taleghan mountain ranges separate the mentioned land from Rey and Qazvin .
All these factors joined to reinforce the strategy condition of the region .
Presence of grand rocks and fortified castles on these rocks located in the center of the high mountains , all together made the access for transmitting fighting facilities and troops burdensome .
Nevertheless  , if they could reach the castles , capturing them were imagined to be almost impossible unless they laid long lasting siege .
Even in this situation incorporation of natural force with the stability and resistance of castle habitants , supported mountain men to overcome and drive surrenders out of their land .

Routes :

Mountainous region of Roodbar -e- Alamoot and Roodbar-e-shahrestan is the separation border between Tonekabon ,Roodsar , Langerood , Qazvin and Taleghan .
From the late time ,old routes existing in the shallow valleys of the mentioned land were used for making connection between the forest district and the coastal plateau of Caspian sea . 
Not long ago direct political , economical and military relation between Qazvin and and northern cities of Iran  were carried out via mountainous routes .
They could communicate using these routes  . (Varjavand, 1374, p 173  )

Considering the fact that the northern part of Alamoot and Roodbar  is adjacent with Gilan and Mazandaran , and communication between adjacent villages , there existed various ways for passing people and animals to the two above mention provinces but the main pass that ended Qazvin was the route from Tonekabon to Qazvin :
Qazvin , Emamzade Abazar, Akbarabad,Shirkooh pass ,Baghdasht, Shahrak , Garmarood , Pichbon,Salambar pass, Maran ,Ghazi mahale ,Sarpalan , Sarasb, KHoramabad, Tonekabon 
Qazvin , Rashteghoon , Razjerd ,Simiar pass,Karandechal (Karmechal ),Shahrood river, Sorkhdozdak,Mazrae, Salt mine, Aiin,Kooshk, ovan,Zivarchal pass, Mich, Lakterashan, Dimberoon ,Khoramsara, Tonekabon

The route from Qazvin to Rahimabad and Kalachay :
Qazvin , Brajin ,Zereshk,Bahramabad, Hir,Khoramdasht, Sayardeh to Rahimabad and Kalachay
Qazvin , Rashteghoon ,Razjerd, Gardane , Simiar , Baghestan , Karendechal(Karemchal ),Shahrood river, Vashte, Siahchoore mountain , Pazan , Marine , Tomol, and via Eshkavar valley to Rahimabad and Kalachay
Another route from Qazvin to Zivarchal gorge ends in Mich and subsequent to that divides in to two branches which conclude in Ramsar and the second one in Rahimabad and Kalachay. The second route from Mich to Marine - tomol and after passing Eshkavar valley continues to Rahimabad and Kalachay 

The route from Qazvin to Ramsar :
Initiates from Qazvin and continues to Zivarchal gorge and following that to Janate -e-roodbar - Baghdasht - Javaherdeh - Akhoond mahale and ultimately concludes in Roodbar .
Today there are 4 existing vehicle access to Roodbare-e-Alamoot and Roodbar-e-Shahrestan :

1- The old road named Akbarabad road which begins from teahouse of Hesarkarvan village  , passes through Shirkooh and ends in the Qazvin-Alamoot main road.
This pass is less capable for its being in bad condition of use .

2-Koorane road: Makes access from Qazvin , Rashteghoon and Razjerd to Roodbar-e-Shahrestan region in Garmarood-e-pain and after passing through Ghostinlar and Siahdasht (Rajaidasht ) enters Roodbar-e-Alamoot
Next it reaches Moalemkelaye city and the ultimate point of Alamoot.the majority part of this road and even its subsidiary branches are asphalt road . It should be mentioned that this road is under construction from Garmarood to Pichbon which connects to Ghazimahale and Tonekabon via Salambar gorge .
3- Brajin road , an asphalt road which connects Qazvin to Kaman , Barajin and Zereshk and following that to Falar , Bahramabad and subsequently to Razmian city .
After that joins the road that ends to Siahdasht (Rajaidasht ). This road makes access to Hir village and following that to Gilan province via Razmian .  The mentioned road is an asphalt road until Hir and is under construction from Hir to Sayardeh.

4- Aloolak road : An asphalt road from Qazvin to Aloolak and next to that enters Roodbar-e-sahrestan via Sootekosh