Iran, with an area of 1,648,195 sq km, is a fairly large country in southwestern Asia, on the eastern side of the Persian Gulf, and marks the Eastern limit of the Middle East region. More than half its 4,430 km international border is coastline, along the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. Bordering countries include Armenia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan. It has a population of close to 66.5 million people, mainly Persian (51%) and Azeri (24%), with Kurds, Arabs, Balochis and others making up the rest. They are almost totally Muslims (98%), with a smattering of Christians, Zoroastrians and Baha'is. The language spoken is mainly Persian/Persian dialects and Turkic/Turkic dialects. Its time is UTC + 3.30 hours.
A household name, Persia, until 1935, Iran converted to an Islamic republic in 1979 after the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was overthrown and exiled. Ayatollah Khomeini established a theocratic system of government, vesting all authority in a learned religious scholar or Supreme Leader, accountable only to an elected Assembly of Experts, 86 clerics. Ali Hoseyni Khāmene’i is the current Supreme Leader, whereas Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is titular President.
The history of Iran is very complex. The home of Zoroastrians, also referred to as Parsis, saw Islam coming in with all Parsis proselytized. Some 300 Parsis escaped to India, where they flourished. With a proud civilization and 2,500 years of superb art, architecture and literature, Persian culture claims to have the richest antecedents in the world. Persian carpets are a byword in elegance and workmanship, as are the breathtaking tile work of unique blue mosques.
Access to Iran by sea is possible through its many ports; by roads through checkpoints and by air through only one airport, Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport. Only flights to Damascus, Jeddah and Medina are permitted from Mehrabad. There are over a hundred and ten domestic airports, but air traffic is rather lean. Visas are required for all visitors and forms are available online. The average stay is 30 days.
Like Afghanistan, Iran is a mountainous country. It has two major ranges: the Alborz range spouts the highest peak in Asia west of the Himalayas, Damavand (5671 m above sea level). The Zagros range slices the country Northwest to Southeast for more than 1,600 km. Peaks in this range cross 2,300 m. Together, these ranges trap moisture from the Caspian Sea southward or the Mediterranean eastward, leading to rain. In between them are two deserts, the Dasht-e-Kavir and the Kavir-e-Lut, arid and blazingly hot. Iran has become a nuclear country in February 2010.
The railway network is Teheran-centric and connects the entire country, besides providing links abroad. Turkey, Azerbaijan, the Caucasus, and Russia are linked to Iran, as are Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and even Scandinavia. Rail travel in the interior is decent.
Sightseeing in Iran is a must, to travel back into history. However, these places are far apart and it is recommended to take a package tour to see the 750-year old temple at Tchogha Zabnil; Persepolis, built in 518 BC; the Meidan-e-Emam; the Takht-e-Soleyman; the Armenian Monastic Ensembles and many other relics. The best rime is March-June or September-mid November. Accommodation is easily available, but on the spartan side. Of course, enough five-star hotels exist for those who can afford it. Advance booking is advisable.
Iran’s staple food fall in the standard Middle East menus of lamb, wheat bread, eggplant and yogurt. The difference is that Iranian cuisine uses rice in every meal. "A loaf of bread, a jug of wine" said Omar Khayyam, but the Iranians regard for Firdausi, who wrote the Shah-nameh─ a poetic panegyric on cooking— clearly displays their predilection towards gastronomy. This country also frowns on alcohol, and favours very sweet tea.
The Iranian currency is the Iranian Rial (IRR). The exchange rate is 1 USD=10,000 IRR.
