(Islamic Republic of Iran)
General information
Geographical position. Iran is a country in southwest Asia. In the north it borders with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, in the east with Afghanistan and Pakistan, in the west with Iraq and Turkey. In the north it is washed by the Caspian Sea, in the south by the Gulf of Oman, the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.
Square. The territory of Iran occupies 1,648,000 square meters. km.
Main cities, administrative divisions. The capital is Tehran. Largest cities: Tehran (6,830 thousand people), Mashhad (2,011 thousand people), Isfahan (1,915 thousand people), Tabriz (994 thousand people), Shiraz (848 thousand people). Administrative-territorial division of the country: 24 ostans (provinces).
Political system
Iran is an Islamic republic. The spiritual head of state is the Ayatollah. The secular head of state is the president. Legislative power lies with the unicameral Assembly of the Islamic Council (Majlis).
Relief. Most of Iran is occupied by a central plateau, approximately 1,200 m above sea level and almost entirely surrounded by mountain ranges.
In the north, parallel to the shore of the Caspian Sea, are the Elburz Mountains, where the highest point of the country is located - Mount Damavand (5,604 m). The Zagros Mountains stretch along the western border to the southeast towards the Persian Gulf. To the east of the plateau lie lower mountains. The flat areas lie along the coastal strip near the Caspian Sea. In the center of the state there are two vast deserts: the sandy-rocky Dasht-i-Lut and the salty Dasht-i-Kavir.
Geological structure and minerals. The country's subsoil contains rich reserves of oil and natural gas, and less significant reserves of coal, iron ore, chromium, copper, zinc, lead, manganese, and sulfur.
Climate. Based on climatic characteristics, Iran can be divided into three regions: the very hot coast of the Persian and Oman Gulfs; temperate but arid climate of the central highlands; cold climate in the Elborz mountains region. The average January temperature in Tehran is from -3°C to +7°C, in July - from +22°C to +37°C. In Abadan (on the coast of the Persian Gulf) - from +7°C to +17°C in January and from +28°C to +44°C in July. The average annual precipitation in Tehran is about 250 mm, in Abadan - less than 200 mm.
Inland waters. In winter and spring, small rivers flow into the Dasht-i-Kavir desert. Most Iranian rivers dry up during the dry season. The main, non-drying rivers, mostly short, originate in the foothills in the north or south of the country and flow into the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf or the Gulf of Oman. The Karun River is the country's main navigable river. There are few large lakes in Iran; they mostly dry up during the dry season. The largest lake that lies entirely within Iran is Lake Urmia (Rezaie) in the north of the country.
Soils and vegetation. In the Zagros Mountains there are forest areas where oak, walnut, elm, and pistachio trees grow. On the seaward slopes of the Elborz Mountains and in the Caspian Valley, the vegetation is very rich: a large number of ash, elm, elm, oak, birch, and some evergreens. Cacti and thorns grow in desert areas.
Animal world. The fauna is represented quite widely: rabbit, fox, wolf, hyena, jackal, leopard, deer, porcupine, ibex (mountain goat), bear, tiger, badger. Among the birds in the center of the country there are a large number of pheasants and partridges, on the coast of the Persian Gulf - flamingos and pelicans. The Caspian Sea is home to beluga, herring, and sturgeon.
Population and language
Iran's population is about 68.96 million people, with an average population density of about 49 people per square kilometer. km. Ethnic groups: Persians - 51%, Azerbaijanis - 24%, Gilaks and Mazandarans - 8%, Kurds - 7%, Arabs - 3%, Lurs - 2%, Balokhi - 2%), Turkmens - 2%. Languages: Farsi (New Persian) (state), Turkic, Kurdish.
Religion
Shiites - 95% (state religion), Sunnis - 4%, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Baha'is.
Brief historical sketch
In the middle of the 1st millennium BC. e. Cyrus the Great created the Persian Empire, which lasted until 333 BC. e., when it was conquered by Alexander the Great. In the next century, Persia regained its independence, and the Persian kingdom lasted until the 7th century. n. e. With the advent of Islam on the territory of Persia, the country was included in the Medina, and later in the Damascus caliphate. The old Zoroastrian religion of Persia practically disappeared, completely suppressed by Islam. In the 11th century Iran was captured by the Turks, and later by the Seljuks, the Mongols of Genghis Khan, the army of Tamerlane and the Turkmens, who stayed in Iran the longest - until 1502. In 1502, Iran regained its independence with the coming to power of the Persian Safavid dynasty, which ruled the country until 1722. Shah Abbas I, who ruled in the second quarter of the 17th century, is considered the most powerful ruler of this dynasty. After his death, the gradual decline of the country began, leading to the conquest of Iran by the Afghan army in 1722. However, within a few years a new dynasty was founded, leading Iran to relative prosperity.
In 1906, a constitutional monarchy was proclaimed in Iran, which lasted until 1979, when Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was dethroned. In January of the same year, Ayatollah Khomeini declared Iran an Islamic republic. Khomeini's rule was marked by brutality and was marked by an international scandal when American diplomats were taken hostage in Tehran in November 1979, as well as the death sentence of the British writer of Indian origin Salman Rushdie, who wrote the book The Satanic Verses, which was offensive to Islam. In 1993, Rafsanjani confirmed the verdict.
Brief Economic Sketch
Iran is an agrarian-industrial country with a developed oil industry. Extraction of oil, gas, coal, chromite, lead-zinc, copper, manganese and iron ores. Oil refining and petrochemical enterprises. Ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy. Mechanical engineering and metalworking. Food-flavoring and textile industries. Handicraft production (carpets, hardware). The main food crops are grains (wheat, barley), rice, legumes; technical cotton, sugar beets, sugar cane, tobacco, tea. Fruit growing, melon growing, viticulture, planting nut and pistachio trees. Extensive livestock farming (sheep, goats, cattle, camels). Sericulture. Marine fishing. Export: oil and oil products (95-99% of cost), carpets, caviar. (
The currency is the Iranian rial.
Brief sketch of culture
Art and architecture. Tehran. Bastan Museum with archeological exhibits from ancient Persian cities; imam mosque; Aka Shrine; Apiyabad is the burial place of Ayatollah Khomeini; the 45 m high Shahiyad Tower, built in 1971; Negarestan Museum with a collection of Iranian art from the period of the Persian Empire; Ethnographical museum; Carpet Museum; National Art Museum. Shiraz. Masjid-i-Jama Mosque (IX century); tombs of the Persian poets Hafez and Saadi; Kom Museum and Pars Museum. Urmia (homeland of the prophet Zoroaster). Jama Mosque; Mosque of the Three Domes. Tabriz. Blue Mosque (XIII century); Citadel (XIV century). Hamadan. Tomb of Esther and Tomb of Avicenna. Esfahan. Royal Masjid-i-Shah Mosque (XVII century); Masjid-i-Sheikh-Lutfullah Mosque; royal garden with a throne room on 40 columns; Shah Hussain school of dervishes, founded in 1710 Nishair. Tomb of Omar Khayyam. Mashhad (holy city of Shia Muslims). Tomb of Ali ar-Rida and tomb of Caliph Harun al-Rashid.
Literature. Omar Khayyam (c. 1048-after 1122) - poet, author of world-famous philosophical quatrains - rubai; Saadi (between 1203 and 1210-1292) - writer and thinker (poem “Bustan”, collection of parables “Gulistan”).
Where is Iran located on the world map. Detailed map of Iran in Russian online. Satellite map of Iran with cities and resorts. Iran on the world map is a country located in South-West Asia and until 1935 was called Persia. The capital of Iran is the city of Tehran. The official language of the country is Farsi (or Persian). Due to the fact that the majority of Iran's population comes from Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani language is also widespread. Iran is washed by the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, as well as the waters of the Caspian Sea.
Detailed map of Iran in Russian with cities:
Iran - Wikipedia:
Population of Iran- 79,966,230 people. (2017)
Capital of Iran- Tehran
Largest cities in Iran- Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad, Ahvaz, Karaj
Iran telephone code - 98
Internet domains of Iran- .ir
A significant part of the state's territory is occupied by the Zagros, Elbrus, Makran and East Iranian mountains. The highest point is the Damavand volcano, whose height is 5600 meters. There are also deserts and flat areas in Iran.
Climate in most of the country it is tropical desert. The average temperature in the country in winter is +14...+16 C, in summer - +24...+27. In some of the most arid and desert regions, the heat reaches +40 C in the summer months.
Main attraction of Iran- this is its cultural and historical heritage. On the territory of the Iranian state there are shrines of Islam and Zoroastrianism, world cultural centers, and the ruins of ancient cities. In addition to historical monuments, Iran also has natural unique sites. For example, the Tang-e Chahu gorge and protected mangrove forests.
The main directions of tourism in Iran are beach and ski holidays. The main resort for summer beach holidays - Kish Island in the Persian Gulf. All conditions for a great holiday are created here: dozens of hotels, excellent sandy beaches, shopping and entertainment centers. Skiing can be practiced at resorts in the Elbrus Mountains.
What to see in Iran:
Blue Mosque, Mirror Mosque, Imam Mosque, St. Sarkis Cathedral, Imam Khomeini Mosque, Sheikh Lutfullah Mosque, Khomeini Mausoleum, Golestan Palace, Chehel Sotun Palace, Saadabad Palace, Constitution House, Khan Madrasah, Dove Towers, Kerim Khan Fortress, Eram Garden , Khaju Bridge, Grand Bazaar of Isfahan.
The Islamic Republic of Iran (before 1935 - Persia) is a state in Asia. The area of Iran is 1,648,195 sq. km, population about 8 million people, capital Tehran. In the west, Iran has a common border with, in the north-west it borders with, and unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh. In the north of Iran there is a border with Turkmenistan, with and - in the east. In the north of Iran are the shores of the Caspian Sea, in the south are the Persian and Oman Gulfs of the Indian Ocean.
Iran is characterized by the predominance of mountains and hills. In the north, the Elbrus Mountains stretch along the border. Volcano Damavand is the highest point (5,604 m). In the western part there is the Kotur mountain range, in the southwestern part - the Zagros Mountains. The Iranian Plateau rises in the center of the country. In the eastern part of Iran are the large deserts of Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut, surrounded by the Iranian Plateau. The area of these deserts is 200 thousand square meters. km and 166 thousand sq. km. The lowest point in Iran is 28 m above sea level. There are few large rivers in Iran, the largest are Karun and Sefivrud. There is also a large salt lake called Urmia. Water reserves in reservoirs depend on the amount of precipitation.
The climate of Iran is subtropical in the north and tropical in the south. On the southern coast of the country, the temperature in winter averages +16–18 °C, in the summer months +24–30 °C. There is little precipitation: up to 1,000 mm on mountain slopes, up to 600 mm on the plain. Most of Iran is very dry - there is no rain for 2–4 months or longer. In the north, in the mountains, precipitation is mainly in the form of snow; in some places the snow remains for 4-5 months. This is the main source of irrigation for the country's agriculture. In the center of Iran in winter +3–8 °C, in summer +30–32 °C, often up to +40 °C. Precipitation no more than 250 mm. In the mountains of Elbrus and Zagros it is cooler: in summer +16–26 °С, in winter from −4 °C to +12 °С.
In 1979, the state of Iran, or more precisely, the Islamic Republic of Iran, was formed in Western Asia. Tehran became the capital of the new country. Previously, this territory was called Persia. The country has a common border with Iraq in the west, a little to the north with Azerbaijan, Turkey, Armenia, the north of the country borders on Turkmenistan, and the east on Pakistan and Afghanistan. In addition, Iran’s neighbor on the map (in the northwest) is the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, which is not recognized by the world community. Iran has access to the Caspian Sea, and in addition, its shores are washed by the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, which belong to the Indian Ocean.
A little about the history of Iran
The first chronicle information about Iran goes back almost five thousand years. The state that then existed on its territory was called Elam. It arose in the third millennium BC. After Iran belonged to the huge Persian Empire, which under Darius I Achaemenid occupied the area from Greece to the Tarim River. For more than two thousand years, Iran has been depicted on geographical maps as part of a powerful state. It was one of the most influential cultural, scientific and political centers in the world. Before the arrival of Islam in the country in the 16th century, the main religion was Zoroastrianism.
Iran today
Today, Iran is the fourth largest economy by GDP (in PPP terms) in the Islamic world, or the second in Western Asia. The country is a leader in technology development among countries in the Arab world. In addition, Iran is rich in natural resources that are in demand today: oil and natural gas.
Iran's legal system is based on Islamic law, and government agencies work closely with the clergy. This is the reason for the oppression of human rights, primarily freedom of religion. Thus, in Iran there is a special body called the “Council of Guardians of the Constitution”, which does not allow people who do not profess Islam to occupy leadership positions in the state apparatus.
Please note that the most favorable time to visit the country is the autumn and spring months. Winter pastime in Iran is represented by ski holidays (in the mountains the skiing season lasts until April).
Iran: where is former Persia?
The location of Iran (the capital is Tehran) is Western Asia: on the eastern side there is granite, on the northern side, on the western side, and on the northwestern side. In the southern part, Iran has access to the Oman and Persian Gulfs, and in the north – to the waters of the Caspian Sea.
Former Persia lies on the Iranian plateau (with the exception of the Caspian coast and Khuzestan). The west of Iran is occupied by Elborz and the Caucasus Mountains (the title of the highest point is assigned to the 5600-meter peak Damavand), and the east by saline deserts and semi-deserts (Dashte-Lut, Dashte-Kevir). As for the flat terrain, it dominates the northern part of Iran along the Caspian Sea and the southwest of the country along the Persian Gulf.
Iran is divided into ostans - Qom, Khuzestan, Hamadan, Lurestan, Semnan, Alborz, Kurdistan, Zanjan, Fars and others (there are 31 in total).
How to get to Iran?
Direct flight - lasting 3 hours 45 minutes, operated by Aeroflot and Iran Air (flights do not depart only on Tuesdays and Mondays). If desired, a transfer can be made at, due to which the trip duration will be more than 9 hours, at - 10 hours, at or - more than 8 hours.
Those setting off on a flight will stop to rest at the airport and spend 13 hours and 15 minutes on the road. Those who fly to Shiraz from will be offered to make a stop in Doha (14.5 hours will be spent on the road), (the trip will last up to 12.5 hours) or Tehran (travel duration will be about 9 hours).
The Moscow route involves a flight via Tehran (passengers will arrive at their destination after 10.5 hours) or Istanbul (the journey will end after 11 hours).
Holidays in Iran
Guests of Iran are recommended to relax in Tehran (famous for the Yousef Abad Synagogue, Golestan Palace, Azadi Tower, 435-meter TV Tower, St. Sarkis Cathedral, Carpet Museum, Mellat Park, Negarestan Garden) and (of interest is the Imam Reza Mausoleum, a caravanserai, more than 100 years old, where the market is located, as well as Sangi Hill, to the top of which there are steps carved out of the rocks, and a 15th century mosque dedicated to 72 martyrs, and which is decorated with beautiful lamps and mosaics from the late Timurid period), go to the Shirabad waterfall (consists of 12 cascades, with the largest of them falling from a 30-meter height) and into the Khabr National Park (where you can climb the 3800-meter Chakhbarf or the 3700-meter Serita, meet mountain sheep, Iranian antelope, wolves, golden eagles, and wigglers).
Iranian beaches
Beach holidays in Iran are developed on the island of Kish, whose beaches are divided into men's and women's (you will have to pay $1 to enter the women's beach), covered with sand and famous for their cleanliness.
Souvenirs from Iran
You should not return from Iran without saffron and other spices, voluminous wood carvings, gold items, jewelry made of Nishapur turquoise, Persian carpets, Iranian sweets, rose water, porcelain, ceramics, painted oriental dishes, colorful stoles, “patedyuzi” bedspreads, Iranian henna, Damascus steel products.
