Rasht or Resht, city in northwestern Iran, capital of Gilan Province, on a branch of the Sefid River, near the Caspian Sea. It is a commercial, distribution, and manufacturing center situated in an agricultural region. Principal products include processed food, silk, soap, and metal, glass, and jute items. Rasht (originally Gilan) University was established here in 1977. The community was probably settled in the 13th century. Rasht suffered severe damage during both World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945). Population (1996) 417,748.
