[2] A famous mathematician, astronomer and geographer Alexandria Claudius Ptolomey (AD 100 – c. 170) was one of the oldest researchers who also visited the territory of Azerbaijan.
He compiled a map of the Caspian Sea in the second century, has given a clear overview on the geographical names, objects and settlements located on its shores.
Another scholar of the ancient world, Strabon also pointed out the name “Astara” in his "Historical Sketches" (Historicahypomnemata).
British traveler and explorer Anthony Jenkinson (1529 – 1610/1611) visited the coasts of the Caspian Sea in 1559 to establish trade relations between England and Bukhara.
He pointed out the names of the villages, settlements and residential areas located on the coasts of the Caspian in his book.
Russian scientist A.M.Markov deeply investigated the coins produced in Derbent, Shamakhi and Tabriz, as well as in Astara.
The Hulakis, Jalaris, Teymuris, their successors that ruled in different periods, minted coins in the Astara monetary.
16 pattern of these coins preserved in the Historical Institute, the Tajikistan National Academy of Sciences at present.
German traveler Adam Oleary (1599-1671), who was also a scientist, visited Astara in 1638 and gave certain interesting information about its territory, residents and culture.
According to Strabon, one small grapevine yielded a basket of harvest in the places, named Hikaniya at that time.
A big chapter of the book "Turkic countries" written by Hungarian traveler Armin Vanberin (1832-1913) was about Azerbaijan.
The traveler mentioned in his book that he was in Astara and observed the local population who had beautiful folk patterns.
Famous French scientist, archeologist and traveler Jak De Morgan (1856-1934) also visited Astara.
Famous French writer Alexander Duma gave interesting information about Astara as well.
Istisu, Ağ körppü, Sım, Bi, Toradi, Şeyx Nəsrullah resorts of Astara have treating mineral water.
[4] Astara shares boundaries with Iran (Gilan Province) in the south, Lankaran and Lerik districts in the north, the Talysh Mountains in the west and the Caspian Sea in the east.
"Yanar Bulag" complex, one of the geological objects in Astara, is located in the south of the village of Archivan, near the Alat-Astara highway.
Lime, orange, kiwi, kinkan, feijoa and other citrus fruits, especially rice are grown in Astara.
On the slopes of the forests, the Lankaran stream, lime and many other trees create specially mixed woods.
At a slight height above the sea surface, another type of maple forms the thick woods with peanut.
The fauna of Astara include leopard, lynx, bear, forest cat, hedgehog, squirrel, badger, jackal, fox, wild boar, pheasants, wolves, goose, ducks, pigeons, thyme and so on.
One is that it derived from the Persian or Talysh word آهسته رو (Aste-ro or Aheste-ro), meaning "the place where the travel gets slower", given the marshlands that surrounded the region before.
Ruins of 8th-century bridges in Sipiyəpart, Seləkəran, Lomin və Pəlikəş villages are a major tourist attraction.