Mathematical creativity: some definitions and characteristics

One of the goals of any educational system should be fostering creative persons. Creativity is a dynamic property of the human mind that can be enhanced and should be valued. It can be either strengthened or deteriorated. Therefore, it is important to study creativity and determine its characteristics. Nature of mathematics provides a suitable platform for developing creativity. Through studying the contemporary literature, this paper makes an effort to gain an insight into the nature of mathematical creativity with an emphasis on learning environments to foster it not only within school situations but also colleges.