Babol (بابل in Persian) is a city of the Iranian province of Mazandaran, North East of Tehran. It is the region's chief commercial center and was once the major trading center of northern Iran. Processed food and textiles are produced, and fruits, rice, tea, tobacco, and cotton are raised nearby. Founded in the 16th century, it was built on the site of the ancient city of Mamter. Ruins of a palace of Abbas I are there. Located in the Caspian Sea littoral, the city receives abundant rainfall. Babol was formerly called Barforush.
