[8] According to the Greek historian Arrian, Zadracarta was the largest city of Hyrcania and the site of the "royal palace".

[11] Gorgan maintained its independence as a Zoroastrian state even after Persia was conquered by the Muslim Arabs in the 7th century.

In 1210, the city was invaded and sacked by the army of Kingdom of Georgia under command of the brothers Mkhargrdzeli.

Some 150 km (93 mi) east of Gorgan is the Golestan National Park, home to a large portion of the fauna of Iran.

Gorgān Dam is situated 60 km northeast of Gorgan city and has a capacity of 100 million cubic meters.

[16] Gorgan has a subtropical mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csa, Trewartha: Cs), with hot, humid summers and cool, wet winters.

[18] Gorgan has a sports venue, Shohada stadium, which is located north of the city limits near the village of Karimabad.