Bandar-Anzali, formerly Anzeli, Bandar-Anzeli (Persian بندر انزلی‎ – bandar-e-anzali, Gil. انزلی) is a city in the north of Iran in the province of Gilan, the administrative center of Anzali Shahrestan. The largest Iranian port on the shores of the Caspian Sea, a climatic resort. According to the 2006 census, the population of the city is 110,643 people, the majority are Gilans and Azerbaijanis (Turks).
In 1925-1980 the city was named after Pahlavi.

During the Civil War in Russia, the forces of the Volga-Caspian military flotilla carried out a military operation in the city to return ships and military property seized by the White Guards to Russia. Then, in 1920, the Gilyan Soviet Republic was proclaimed, which lasted until September 1921.
From 1842 to the autumn of 1917, the Russian ships of the Caspian Flotilla were constantly based on the island of Ashur-Ada and in the port of Anzeli. Soviet ships were there in 1920-1921 and in 1941-1946. On March 24, 1946, the Soviet government announced the withdrawal of its troops from Iran. On February 2-26, 1946, Soviet units were withdrawn from the southern coast of the Caspian Sea and areas adjacent to the Turkmen border.

Geography and climate
The Anzali lagoon divides the port of Anzeli into two parts. The city is connected by two bridges to the Beheshti Islands. There is a caviar processing plant, 19th-century ruins, and the popular Shanbe Bazaar. Turbebar is a beautiful village 40 km from Anzali, near the Anzali lagoon.
Anzali is the wettest city in Iran. The climate resembles with its heavy autumn and early winter precipitation, constant high humidity and cloudiness the Sea of ​​Japan coast in Japan, although it receives much less precipitation in summer than there, but it still has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa). The warm and humid weather makes it possible to grow crops such as tea and rice in this region, which require a lot of water. This is especially favored by the discharge of water from the Elburs mountains.

Sights
The Enzeli lagoon (or pond) is located on the coast of the Caspian Sea, near the town of Anzeli. Reeds and lilies grow in the pond, reed thickets, many migratory birds (geese, swans, ducks, herons), many different types of fish (carp and pike constantly live, sometimes beluga and pike perch swim), there are small islands. The lake lotus is exceptionally beautiful, often found in the pond. Approximately 200 days a year, the pond covers the surrounding meadows with its water. The fauna and flora of the pond are protected by law.

Mole Anzali was built from 1896 to 1914 so that ships and boats would not be damaged by the waves of the sea. Today it has become one of the most favorite vacation spots for citizens and foreign tourists, who always take pictures here overlooking the sea. In recent years, the pier has been rebuilt.

In 1936, the construction of a concrete bridge between the cities of Ghaziyan and Anzali began (today Ghaziyan became part of Anzali). The bridge offers a very beautiful view of the sea and the forest.

The clock tower is one of Anzali’s oldest buildings. This is a white brick building 28 m high with an oil lamp, which served to inspect the area and as a lighthouse for ships. It was built in 1816 by Khosrov-Khan Gurji, governor of Fath-Ali Shah. In 1930, clocks were installed on all four sides of the tower.

Miyan-Poschte Palace is located on the banks of the Sefidrud River. It was built in 1930-35. and has an area of ​​1.2 thousand square meters. m. The palace has 11 rooms and one large reception room. Currently, the palace houses the Military Museum, where you can see different types of weapons from the Safavid era. The palace is surrounded by cypress and orange trees. On the second floor of the palace there is expensive furniture, beautiful wooden cabinets, bronze candlesticks, porcelain and crystal dishes.

As souvenirs in Anzeli, you can first of all buy different types of fish that are found in the Caspian Sea, local greens, olives, garlic, honey halva, crystal sugar, as well as a variety of wood crafts and pearl jewelry. Souvenirs can be bought at the Fish Market and the Local Market, which is open on Saturdays.