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Iran has a
long and rich history. Some of the world's most ancient
settlements have been excavated in the Caspian region
and on the Iranian plateau.
The name Iran is derived from the Aryan tribes who took
control of Persia around 1600 BC.
The country has always been known to its own people as
Iran (land of the Aryans), although for centuries it was
referred to as Persia (Pars or Fars, a province in
southern Iran) by the Europeans, mainly due to the
writings of Greek historians. In 1935 the Government
specified that it should be called Iran; however, in
1949 they allowed both names to be used.
Most people today, know Persia or Iran through its
carpets, its caviar or through its importance as one of
the world's major oil-producing nations. Yet, Persia has
one of the richest and oldest cultures in the world.
For more than three thousand years Persia was a melting
pot of civilizations and demographic movements between
Asia and Europe. Under Cyrus the Great, it became the
centre of the world's first empire. Successive invasions
by the Greeks, Arabs, Mongols and Turks developed the
nation's culture through rich and diverse philosophical,
artistic, scientific and religious influences
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Iran is located in the Middle East,
bordered to the north by Turkmenistan and the Caspian
Sea, the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan, the south by
the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and the west by
Iraq and Turkey. The centre and east of the country are
largely barren undulating desert, punctured by qanats
(irrigation canals) and green oases, but there are
mountainous regions in the west along the Turkish and
Iraqi borders and in the north where the Elburz
Mountains rise steeply from a fertile belt around the
Caspian Sea.
Iran is a mountainous country, and its highest peak
reaches a towering 5,671 meters (higher than just about
any hill in Europe, except Russia's Mount Elbrus).
Tehran, the capital, is essentially a modern city, but
the best of the old has been preserved. The Shahid
Motahari Mosque has eight minarets, from which the city
can be viewed. The Bazaar is one of the world's largest.
More traditional towns, such as Rey, Varamin, Qazvin and
Shemshak are within easy reach of Tehran.
General Information
Capital: Tehran
Currency: 10 Iranian rials = 1 toman (currency
converter)
Area:1,648,043 sq km (636,313 sq miles).
Population: 70,000,000
Languages: Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and
Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, others 5%
Religions: Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 10%,
Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 1%
Government: Islamic Republic since 1979. Head of State:
Supreme Leader (Rahbar-e Moazam) Seyyed Ali Khameni
since 1989. Head of Government: President Mohammad
Khatami since 2001.
Time: GMT + 3.5 (GMT + 4.5 from 20 March to 21
September).
Country calling code: 98
National Holiday: Islamic Republic Day, 1 April
Highest Point: Qolleh-ye Damavand, 5,671 m (18,601 ft)
Air
Iran Air runs services to Ahwaz, Esfahan, Kish, Mashhad,
Shiraz, Tabriz, Tehran and Zahedan and other major
cities. Aseman Air also runs services to the major
cities. The vast size of Iran makes internal flights the
most practical method of transport.
Rail
RAJA Trains run a fairly comprehensive internal rail
network. Major intercity trains operate on five main
regional routes: Azarbaijan route (Tehran – Jolfa);
Golestan route (Tehran – Gorgan); Hormozgan route
(Tehran – Bandar-e-Abbas); Khorasan route (Tehran –
Mashhad); and Khozetan route (Tehran – Khorramshahr).
There are many areas in the mountains and the desert
which can only be reached by rail. There are some
air-conditioned trains, and sleeping and dining cars on
many trains.
Road
The road network is extensive, with more than 51,300km
(31,800 miles) of paved roads and 490km (304 miles) of
motorways. Bus: Widespread, cheap and comfortable,
although services tend to be erratic. Taxi: Available in
all cities. The urban taxis will carry several
passengers at a time and are much cheaper than the
private taxis which only carry one person. Prices are
negotiated beforehand and tipping is not necessary. Car
hire: Available in most cities and from airports.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is
recommended but it is not a legal requirement. Personal
insurance is required.
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Tehran
The capital is essentially a modern city, but the best of the
old has been preserved. The Shahid Motahari Mosque has eight
minarets, from which the city can be viewed. The Bazaar (open
every day except Friday and religious holidays) is one of the
world’s largest; another bazaar, catering mainly for local
communities, can be found in the Tajrish suburb. Located in
the north of the capital, an endless maze of vaulted alleys,
everything from fine carpets to silver- and copperware to
exotic aromatic spices can be found here. There is a separate
section for each trade practised and craftsmen can be seen at
their work.
Tehran has several good museums, including the Abgineh Museum
of Iranian Pottery; the Rea Abbasi Muesum, housing a rare
collection of Iranian calligraphy and paintings; the National
Museum of Iran (Iran Bastan Museum), which displays mostly
archaeological and anthropological exhibits; the Rassam
Cultural and Art Foundation of Carpet, which includes a carpet
museum and carpet weaving school; the Carpet Museum, whose
oldest carpet is 450 years old; and the Anthropological
Museums in Golestan Place and Saad Abad. Iran’s capital also
has a number of cultural centres (including Azadi, Bahman and
Khavaran) as well as a National Library, a City Theatre, a Zoo
and a University.
The Alborz mountain chain is a popular destination for
excursions from Tehran. There are numerous mountain resorts
offering cable car facilities as well as skiing slopes (the
season running from January to March). Within easy reach of
Tehran are the towns of Rey, Varamin, Qazvin and Shemshak,
which have preserved much of their original character.
Azarbaiejan, Gilan
The country’s second-largest city, Tabriz, has a ruined but
restored fine blue mosque built in 1465. The covered
Qaisariyeh Bazaar dates back to the 15th century. About 22km
(14 miles) from the salt lake is the town of Uromieh, which
claims to be the birthplace of Zoroaster. Other towns worth
visiting include Ardabil, Astara, Bandar-e Anzali and Rasht.
Hamadan, Kermanshah , Khorramabad
The Golden Triangle is the name popularly given to the region
enclosed by the ancient cities of Hamadan, Kermanshah and
Khorramabad. This is a part of Iran which is particularly rich
in historical associations; for many centuries the Silk Road
passed through the pleasant rolling countryside of the region,
and there are several indications of settlements dating back
over 6000 years. Hamadan was the summer capital of the Persian
Emperors, although one of the few easily visible signs of the
city’s antiquity is the Stone Lion, dating back to the time of
Alexander the Great. Kermanshah is a good base for visiting
the Taghe Bostan Grottoes, which have several excellent
bas-relief carvings. The site of the Seleucid Temple of
Artemis is in Kangavar; it consists of massive fallen columns
and is now being reconstructed.
Esfahan
Esfahan is the former capital of Persia and has been
designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The city’s most
remarkable feature is its magnificent central square which is
roughly seven times larger than San Marco in Venice. The
mosques, palaces, bridges and gardens also deserve a visit.
The Friday Mosque (Masjid-e Jomeh) is one of Iran’s finest
buildings. The Shaikh Lotfullah Mosque is famous for the
stalactite effect of its northern entrance. There are also
several good bazaars.
Shiraz
Shiraz is the capital of the Fars Province, and another of the
country’s ancient cities. Several of the buildings date back
to the 9th century, and there are many excellent parks and
gardens. About 50km (30 miles) away is Persepolis, also on the
UNESCO World Heritage list, and famous for the Ceremonial Seat
of Darius, built on an enormous platform carved out of the
Kuhe Rahmat. Another UNESCO-listed archaeological site can be
found at Changha Zanbil, 40km (25 miles) southeast of Susa.
Mashhad
Khorasan is a large province in the east where a great revival
of learning occurred in the early Middle Ages. Mashhad, a
former trading post on the Silk Road, is the capital of the
region.
Kerman
The city of Kerman in the southern desert region has several
stunning mosques and a ruined citadel, although visitors are
advised to exercise caution and only travel on tours organised
through Iranian government-approved tourist organisations.
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