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| Iran |
Iran, formerly known as Persia, is a land rich in culture and tradition. It's home to an ancient civilization with a fascinating history that spans thousands of years. From snow-capped mountains in the Zagros range to deserts near Dasht-e Kavir - from Tehran's bustling city center to rural Iranian villages - Iran offers visitors an immersive experience. What's more? With many intriguing facts and stories about this fascinating nation, here are ten that make Iran even more intriguing:
Location and geography of Iran
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| interesting facts about iran |
Iran lies at the nexus of Asia and the Middle East, its coastline along the Persian Gulf. It is bordered in the north by Armenia and Azerbaijan, in the east by Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, in the south by Oman and Pakistan, while on its western edge are Iraq and Turkey. Iran is a vast country, covering an area of 1,648,195 square kilometers - roughly equivalent to the size of the United States or Canada. Geographically speaking, Iran boasts mountains, deserts and rivers in abundance - covering around 60% of its surface area. There are various climatic zones across Iran from subtropical to alpine; plus there's a significant desert region in southwest Iran as well as smaller deserts elsewhere.
History of Iran
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- Iran's earliest known civilization is the Soghdian culture, located in northern Iran. The Medes were then followed by their successors around 800 BCE and created what would become known as Iran's first great empire. - The Achaemenid Empire rose to power in the 6th century BCE and held control over Iran for about 200 years. As the first Persian dynasty, their contributions to culture and history of Iran are incalculable. The Parthian Empire, founded by the Arsacid dynasty, was Iran's next great empire and reigned from 100 BCE until the 3rd century CE. The Parthians were an impressive military force, controlling much of present-day Iran as well as parts of central Asia and northwest India. - The Sassanid Empire followed behind, ruling from around the 3rd to 7th centuries CE. The Sassanids created a culture that combined Persian and Indo-Iranian elements. - The Samanid Empire came to power in the 9th century CE, becoming the first Persian dynasty to rule Iran after the collapse of the Sassanid Empire. - The Seljuk Empire was a Turkish dynasty that ruled Iran and much of Asia from the mid-11th to 13th centuries. They played an influential role in Iran's cultural and architectural development, introducing many elements from Central Asia into Persian culture and architecture. - Iran was conquered by the Mongol Empire in the 13th century CE, with their Ilkhanid rulers remaining as its last ruling dynasty. - Modern Iran began its modern history during the 19th century as it became increasingly involved in world affairs. After World War II ended and Iranian sovereignty was declared, Iran became independent as a sovereign state on November 4, 1941 after British and Russian occupations ended. For nearly thirty years under monarchy rule until 1979 when Shah Mohammed Reza was overthrown and an Islamic Republic formed.
Iran’s Cultural Heritage
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- The culture of Iran is deeply rooted in its history.
It is a fusion of many cultures and civilizations, including the ancient
cultures of the Elamites, Medes, Assyrians, Parthians, and Sassanids. - Along
with these ancient cultures, several Central Asian nomadic tribes also played
an important role in the development of Iranian culture, including the
Scythians, Sogdians, and Turks. - Iran has long been a crossroads of
civilizations, and as such, has been enriched by the influences of many
different cultures and peoples. - In addition to the long history of Iran, the
country also has a rich and diverse folk culture, which has been shaped by the
different ethnic groups that have lived within its borders.
Iran’s Language and Religion
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- The official language of Iran is Persian, an
Indo-European language. Persian is a branch of the Indo-Iranian languages,
which is a subgroup of the Indo-European language family. - While Persian is
the language spoken by most of the population, there are several other
languages and dialects spoken in the country, including Kurdish, Baluchi, and
Turkmen. - The majority of the population of Iran is Muslim, belonging to
either the Shia or Sunni branch of Islam. Only about 9% of the population is
non-Muslim. - Members of the Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Bahá'à faiths also live
in Iran.
Iran’s Economy and Infrastructure
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| iran population |
- Since the 1940s, the economy of Iran has been
largely dependent on oil and gas production. Over half of the government’s
revenues come from the oil and gas sector, and oil exports account for around
80% of the country’s total exports. - After the 1979 revolution, Iran’s economy
was greatly affected by political instability, as well as sanctions and other
restrictions imposed by the international community. - The sanctions have been
lifted as a part of the 2015 nuclear deal, which has allowed Iran to reintegrate
into the global economy and expand its trade and investment abroad. - The
Iranian government has also pursued an economic policy of developing the
country’s non-oil industries, and it has made progress in this area.
Iranian Arts and Music
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| facts about iran |
- Iran's arts and music have been deeply shaped by its long and diverse history. Many cultural elements from various civilizations can be seen in Iranian art and music today. Traditional Iranian art takes many forms such as calligraphy, painting or pottery while modern Iranian modernism draws heavily upon Western artistic movements; Iranian cinema - both fiction and documentary - has also drawn praise from around the globe.
By far the most requested style is our black lacquered finish! With only six holes per foot, your carpet won't get dirty as quickly!
Iranian Cuisine
Iranian cuisine draws influence from many cultures and ethnic groups that have lived there, such as Arabs, Turks, and Central Asians. Rice, legumes, nuts, fruits and vegetables are staples in Iranian dishes; meat dishes like lamb or chicken also feature prominently. Iranians take great pleasure in using spices, herbs and flavorful combinations for flavorful preparations. Tea remains the most popular beverage among Iranians - served at nearly every meal and special occasion.
Iranian Holidays and Celebrations
- Nowruz, or New Year's Day in Iran, is an important holiday that marks the start of spring and celebrates many traditions associated with it. It begins by cleaning homes and wearing new clothes on this first day of spring before continuing for several days throughout the country. Furthermore, Chahar-shanbe Souri (meaning "the fourth day of the seventh month") marks another significant event in Iran as this was when the last ruler of the Iranian Empire was dethroned and exiled from their country.
The Iranian Educational System: Are You Prepared?
Iran boasts one of the oldest education systems in the world, with teaching methods dating back to the 10th century CE. - This system is composed of various levels and types of schools including primary and secondary schools, university-level institutions, as well as vocational training facilities. - Free and open to all, literacy rates in Iran are high. However, while praise for its high standards and quality instruction has been expressed, some criticize its rigidity and inflexibility.
Iranian Sports and Outdoor Activities
Iran boasts a vibrant cultural heritage, and sports and outdoor activities play an integral role in everyday life. Wrestling (known as "Koshti"), football (soccer), martial arts such as Varzesh-e Bastani - which blends various forms of wrestling and other combat sports - have long been part of Iranian culture; Polo also originated here and provides great hiking and mountaineering opportunities due to its mountainous terrain.
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| Amazing facts about iran |
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