Astara, Azerbaijan
Astara () is a city in and the capital of the Astara District of Azerbaijan. Astara is a short walk across the border from Astara, Iran. Geography. Climate. Astara has a borderline humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification: "Cfa") and a hot-summer mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: "Csa") since only two summer months have precipitation levels below the 40 mm threshold. Astara has cool, wet winters and very warm, partially dry/highly humid summers. The maximum annual precipitation is one of the highest in Azerbaijan. Attractions. Caspian Sea. The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body  of water, variously classed as the world's largest lake or a full-fledged sea. It is an endorheic basin (a basin without outflows) located between Europe and Asia, to the east of the Caucasus Mountains and to the west of the broad steppe of Central Asia. The sea has a surface area of 371,000 km (143,200 sq mi) (excluding the detached lagoon of Garabogazköl) and a volume of 78,200 km (18,800 cu mi). It has a salinity of approximately 1.2% (12 g/l), about a third of the salinity of most seawater. Astara TV Tower. As the demand for  television broadcasting and telecommunication rises during the early 1980s, the Astara TV Tower was built. The television tower was uniquely designed, as its pinnacle is guyed to a horizontal cross-like steel structure. Economy. Located next to the Iranian border, Astara attracts numerous visitors from Iran, going to Azerbaijan to purchase goods and services that may not be as readily available in Iran. Transport. Astara is currently served by a broad gauge railway only headed north. A standard gauge connection to the Iranian railway network along the shore of the Caspian Sea is planned. This break of gauge station is  likely to be equipped with bogie exchange and SUW 2000 variable gauge axle track gauge changing facility.