Iran
Iran is a country of rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural beauty.
1 - Located in western Asia, Iran is the second largest country in the Middle East and the 17th largest in the world.
2 - It has a population of about 86.8 million people, most of whom are Muslims.
3 - Iran’s capital and largest city is Tehran, which is also the political, economic, and cultural center of the country.
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Iran has many other cities that offer various attractions and experiences for visitors, such as Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad, Tabriz, Qom, and Yazd.
4 - Iran’s history dates back to ancient times, when it was the center of several empires
and civilizations, such as the Achaemenid, Parthian, Sassanid, and Safavid dynasties.
Iran was known as Persia until 1935, when it adopted its current name.
In 1979, Iran became an Islamic republic after a revolution that overthrew the monarchy
and established a theocratic system led by Ayatollah Khomeini.
Iran has faced many challenges and conflicts in its modern history, such as the Iran-Iraq War, the US sanctions, the nuclear deal, and the recent protests.
5 - Iran’s flag is composed of three horizontal stripes of green, white, and red, with a red emblem in the center and white Arabic inscriptions along the edges.
The emblem is a stylized form of the word Allah (God)
and parts of the phrase “There is no God except Allah”, forming a monogram of four crescents
and a line in the shape of a tulip.
The tulip symbolizes the martyrs who died for Iran and the values of patriotism and self-sacrifice.
The green color represents Islam, happiness, unity, nature, and growth.
The white color represents freedom and peace.
The red color represents martyrdom, life, fire, love, courage, and bravery.
6 - Iran belongs to the continent of Asia, which is the largest and most populous continent in the world.
Asia covers about 30% of Earth’s land area and 60% of its population.
Asia is divided into six regions: Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia,
West Asia (also known as Middle East), and North Asia (also known as Siberia).
Iran is part of West Asia, which consists of 17 countries that share common cultural, historical, religious, and linguistic ties.
West Asia is also known for its rich natural resources, especially oil and gas.
7 - Iran’s economy is based on oil and gas exports, which account for about 60% of its GDP.
Iran has the second largest natural gas reserves and the fourth largest crude oil reserves in the world.
Iran also has other sectors such as agriculture, industry, services, and tourism.
Iran faces many challenges in its economic development, such as sanctions, pandemic,
climate change, inflation, unemployment, corruption, and social inequality.
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8 - Iran’s currency is the Iranian rial (IRR), which is divided into 100 dinars.
However, due to its extremely low value, another unit called toman (equal to 10 rials) is commonly used in everyday transactions.
The rial was introduced as Iran’s monetary unit in 1932 and has undergone several devaluations since then.
The rial has also been affected by sanctions,
which have limited Iran’s access to foreign exchange markets and international banking systems.
The rial’s exchange rate against other currencies fluctuates daily according to supply and demand.
9 - Iran’s country code is +98,
which means that to call Iran from another country you need to dial this code followed by the area code and the phone number of your destination.
For example, to call Tehran from the USA or Canada you need to dial 011-98-21-???-???.
To call another country from Iran you need to dial 00 followed by the country code of your destination.
For example, to call France from Iran you need to dial 00-33-?-??-??-??-??.
To send or receive text messages you need to use the same format as for calls.
10 - Iran’s pronunciation varies depending on the language and accent of the speaker.
In English, it is usually pronounced as /ɪˈrɑːn/ or /aɪˈræn/.
In Persian (the official language of Iran), it is pronounced as /iːˈɾɒːn/ or /ʔiːˈɾɒːn/.
In Arabic (the language of most of Iran’s neighbors), it is pronounced as /ʔiːˈraːn/ or /ʔiːˈrɑːn/.
In French (the language of Iran’s former ally), it is pronounced as /i.ʁɑ̃/.
In Spanish (the language of Iran’s former colonizer), it is pronounced as /iˈɾan/.
11 - Iran’s abbreviation can refer to different things depending on the context and purpose.
For example, in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Iran’s two-letter country code is IR and its three-letter country code is IRN.
In the United Nations (UN), Iran’s three-letter country code is also IRN and its numeric code is 364.
In the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Iran’s three-letter country code is IRI.
In the Internet, Iran’s top-level domain is .ir.
12 - Iran’s borders are shared with seven other countries: Iraq and Turkey to the west, Azerbaijan
and Armenia to the northwest, Turkmenistan to the northeast, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east.
Iran also has a coastline along the Caspian Sea to the north,
the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the south, and the Strait of Hormuz to the southeast.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic waterway that connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean,
and through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes.
- Iran’s best places to visit it some of the most popular and recommended ones are:
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13 - Persepolis: The ancient capital of the Achaemenid Empire, which was founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BC.
It is one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world, with magnificent palaces,
temples, tombs, reliefs, and sculptures. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
14 - Naqsh-e Jahan Square: The main square of Isfahan, which was built by Shah Abbas I in the 17th century.
It is one of the largest and most beautiful squares in the world,
surrounded by stunning monuments such as the Imam Mosque, the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, the Ali Qapu Palace, and the Grand Bazaar.
It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
15 - Nasir al-Mulk Mosque: A 19th-century mosque in Shiraz,
which is famous for its colorful stained-glass windows that create a dazzling effect when sunlight shines through them.
It is also known as the Pink Mosque or the Rainbow Mosque because of its pink tiles and floral patterns.
16 - Tomb of Hafez: The mausoleum of Hafez, one of the greatest poets in Persian literature and a national hero of Iran.
It is located in a garden in Shiraz, where Hafez spent most of his life composing his lyrical poems.
The tomb is decorated with calligraphy, mosaics, and paintings inspired by his verses.
17 - Golestan Palace: The former royal complex of the Qajar dynasty in Tehran, which dates back to the 18th century.
It is a masterpiece of Persian architecture, art, and craftsmanship, with lavish halls, gardens, museums, and galleries.
It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Iran’s beaches are not as famous as its historical and cultural attractions,
- but they are still worth visiting for their natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
- Iran has beaches along both its northern and southern coasts, each with its own characteristics and advantages.
Some best beaches in Iran are:
18 - Ramsar: A city on the Caspian Sea coast, which is known for its sandy beaches, green mountains, hot springs, and royal palaces.
It is also a popular destination for water sports such as sailing, jet skiing, and fishing.
19 - Kish Island: A resort island in the Persian Gulf, which is a free trade zone and a visa-free destination for foreign tourists.
It has some of the most beautiful beaches in Iran, with clear blue water, coral reefs, dolphins, and turtles.
It also has many attractions such as shopping malls, amusement parks, aquariums, and museums.
20 - Chabahar: A port city on the Gulf of Oman coast, which is famous for its rocky beaches, cliffs, caves, and lagoons.
It is also a gateway to other natural wonders such as Martian Mountains (a unique landscape of eroded hills), Pink Lake (a salt lake with pink water),
and Lipar Wetland (a habitat for migratory birds).
21 - Bandar Abbas: The capital of Hormozgan Province.
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about Bandar Abbas and its attractions.
Bandar Abbas is a city with a long and rich history,
dating back to the 16th century when it was captured by the Portuguese and became a major port for trade and commerce.
The city has many historical monuments that reflect its past, such as the Kolah Farangi Estate,
the Galeh-Dari Bathhouse, the Latidan Bridge, and the Fin Castle.
Bandar Abbas also has a diverse and vibrant culture, influenced by its proximity to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
The city is home to various ethnic groups, such as Persians, Arabs, Baluchis, Africans,
and Indians, who have their own traditions, languages, religions, and cuisines.
The city is famous for its seafood dishes, such as shrimp curry, fish stew, and crab soup.
Bandar Abbas also has many natural attractions that offer scenic views and recreational activities.
The city is surrounded by mountains, deserts, forests, and islands, each with its own beauty and charm.
Some of the best places to visit in Bandar Abbas are Hormuz Island,
which is known for its colorful soil and salt caves;
Hindu Temple, which is a unique example of Indian architecture in Iran;
Bandar Abbas Bird Garden, which is a sanctuary for various species of birds;
and the Museum and Gallery of Dr. Ahmad Nadalian,
which showcases the works of a renowned environmental artist who uses natural materials to create sculptures and paintings.
Bandar Abbas is a city that has something for everyone.
Whether you are interested in history, culture, or nature, you will find something to enjoy and appreciate in this port city.
- some of the landmarks in Iran that you might find interesting:
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22 - Vakil Bath: This is a historical public bathhouse in Shiraz, which was built in the 18th century by Karim Khan, the founder of the Zand dynasty.
The bathhouse is decorated with exquisite tile work, paintings, and sculptures, and has a complex system of heating and ventilation.
The bathhouse is now a museum that showcases the culture and lifestyle of the Zand era.
23 - Arg-e Bam: This is the largest adobe building in the world, located in the city of Bam in Kerman Province.
It is a citadel that dates back to the 6th century BC and was a center of trade and military on the Silk Road.
The citadel was severely damaged by an earthquake in 2003, but has been partially restored and is still a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
24 - National Museum of Iran: This is the oldest and largest museum in Iran, located in Tehran.
It contains a collection of artifacts and artworks that span from prehistoric times to the Qajar period,
covering the history and culture of Iran and its neighboring regions.
The museum has two main buildings: the Museum of Ancient Iran,
which displays objects from Paleolithic to Sassanid times,
and the Museum of Islamic Era, which displays objects from the rise of Islam to the 19th century.
- some of the cities in Iran that you might find interesting:
25 - Mashhad: This is the second-largest city in Iran and the capital of Razavi Khorasan Province.
It is located in the northeast of the country, near the border with Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.
Mashhad is one of the holiest cities in Shia Islam, as it is the site of the Imam Reza Shrine, the eighth Shia Imam.
Millions of pilgrims visit the shrine every year, making Mashhad a center of religious tourism.
Mashhad is also known for its cultural and historical attractions, such as the Tomb of Nader Shah,
the Goharshad Mosque, the Ferdowsi Museum, and the Kooh Sangi Park.
26 - Tabriz: This is the fourth-largest city in Iran and the capital of East Azerbaijan Province.
It is located in the northwest of the country, near the border with Turkey and Armenia.
Tabriz is one of the oldest cities in Iran and has a rich history of trade, culture, and politics.
Tabriz was the capital of several dynasties, such as the Ilkhanids, the Safavids, and the Qajars.
Tabriz is famous for its bazaar, which is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tabriz is also famous for its carpets, handicrafts, cuisine, and literature.
27 - Qom: This is the seventh-largest city in Iran and the capital of Qom Province.
It is located in the center of the country, south of Tehran.
Qom is another holy city in Shia Islam, as it is the site of the Fatima Masumeh Shrine, the sister of Imam Reza.
Qom is also a center of religious education and scholarship, as it hosts many seminaries, libraries, and mosques.
Qom is also known for its natural attractions, such as the Salt Lake, the Howz-e Soltan Lake, and the Maranjab Desert.
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