ฃNorthern Iran faces the Caspian Sea where we find the special fish from which the famous caviar is made, which northerners love to eat. Because of the Mediterranean climate in the north, rice is one of the major crops, and it plays an important role at the table in northern Iran. It is served at all ceremonies. As a tradition, northerners conduct a rice ceremony every year by putting rice twigs in the paddy and the white fish, make up the favorite dishes. Although rice is important and a part of most meals, the south is better known for its vegetables and fruits. Dates, in particular, are important and are a major export to Western countries.