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| Medio Oriente |
| Arabia Saudita | Bahrain | Iran | Iraq |
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| Isfahan | Pasargadae | Shiraz | Tehran |
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| Iran Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see yedi goz korpi in Ardabil yedi goz korpi in Ardabil Sina Yavarian Iran has a rich culture and, it remains widely misrepresented and little understood by the general public. Iranians are most friendly people. Forget about what you saw on the news, go and use your own eyes. You will not be disappointed. It is a great country to travel, with efficient public transport, old cities packed with sights, ruins from ancient Persian and Caspian Sea beach resorts. Iran is located in the Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan. Slightly larger than Alaska, it covers the territory in 1.648 million sq km and has a population of 65,619,636 people. The capital of Iran is Tehran and its political and cultural center. It is a big city, but not unpretty. From it you can reach Tabriz in the west, the old capital city with lots of sights and a great bazaar. Iran is a country with great ancient sights, rich culture, splendid cuisine and a very hospitable people. Despite the political winds this is a great country to visit. Iran will be any person’s thrill concerning vacation destinations. All the places visited and people will stay in you mind for a long time. This country is very rich in cultural history, and lacks of tourism as it is wonderful to explore and get astonished by its wonderful landscapes and historical sites. Although the country’s changed since the government policies of Ayatollah Khomeini which keep people living in a different way than before and “some harsh rules” are people daily life, Iranians can be extremely gentle and nice to foreigners, full of interest to hear about foreign things and to know how other countries live. Iran is a country which suffered changes held by Arabs, Mongols, Turkish Ottoman, Portuguese, Dutch, etc, but which will never lose the presence of the ancient Persian Empire and Persian Culture, unique in the whole world. The highlight of this Empire can yet be experience visiting its Capital City Persepolis or Fars near Shiraz . The Southern part of the country in the Persian Gulf is in fact very beautiful and interesting. It's strange how to go down a few thousand miles South the country and find European presence. The Portuguese presence still remaining in street names, local settlements and forgotten defence castles like in Qeshme Island are things very interesting to visit. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: tehran __________Sights Edit This mariwan mariwan dler.mardokhi.http://www.mariwangallery.blogfa.com [Add Sight] reza Edit This The people and land of Iran Present day Iran is a part of a much larger geographical unit called the Iranian plateau. This natural unit, although climatically and biologically diverse, has a number of common characteristics that have led to, and perpetuated, a kind of “cultural unity”. Iran today is the inheritor of a reality that is known as the “Iranian world”. Human civilization has immensely benefited from the ingenuity and creativity of the people that lived in this land. By communicating with the local geography and nature, they managed more.. type: Landmarks World66 rating: [rate it] tel: 66728950-6 openingHours: iran address: N35,taghavist ,ferdousi st,ferdousi sq,tehran Iran email: history_abs@yahoo.com ___________History Edit This Persia or contemporary Iran has very long and rich history. Until 1979 there had been a monarchy rule, an almost uninterrupted feature of Iranian government for nearly 500 years. The tradition of monarchy itself is even older. In the sixth century B.C. Iran's first empire the Achaemenid Empire was already established. It had an absolute monarch centralized rule a highly developed system of administration aspirations of world rule and a culture that was uniquely Persian even as it borrowed absorbed and transformed elements from other cultures and civilizations. Although Alexander the Great brought the Achaemenid Empire to an end in 330 B.C. under the Sassanids (A.D. 224-642) Iran once again became the center of an empire and a great civilization. _________Practical Information Edit This In order to avoid unpleasant surprises during your trip you should know some specific features related to Iran's entry. For your convenience we have devided information into sections, that are displayed below. ________Getting Around Edit This Iran Travel Information Iran is a wide country in southwest of Asia neighboring the Caspian Sea. Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iraq. All southern borders of the country end to the shores of the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman. Total terrestrial borders of Iran are 6032 km. And total water borders are 2700 km. Unique landscapes such as limpid water springs, Pomegranate orchards, pistachio gardens, rows of Lombardy poplars, decampment of nomads in different seasons, cheliferous nights, rocks, mountains, endless high and low lands, extinct volcanoes, luxuriant forests of Alborz mountain range, and coastlines of the Caspian sea are among the eye-catching and memorable landscapes of Iran’s nature which leaves unique memories in the minds of tourists. Iran’s landscapes vary remarkably at different seasons. The average annual temperature from northwest to southeast of the country and varies from 10 degree Centigrade in Azerbaijan to 25-30 degree Centigrade in the south and southeast. Iran enjoys a considerable climate diversity, which is subjected to various seasons in different parts of the country, in a way that in some areas, the coldness of winter and the warmth of summer can be seen simultaneously. Thus the weather in Iran must be judged regionally. According to latest census made in 2006, the population of Iran was a little more than 70 million. Gross domestic product is composed of four sectors: agriculture, industry & mine, services & oil. Iran is the bright place of Zoroastrian. One of the oldest prophets of the world and founder of Zoroastrian religion, and about 99.5% of people are Muslims. In the constitution of I.R.Iran, religions of Zoroastrian, Christian, and Jewish are recognized officially and their disciples have equal political, social and economic rights like Muslims. The government of Iran is Islamic Republic, which was founded after Islamic Revolution in 1979. Iran is situated on the way of Central and East Asia to western countries. As a result different ethnic groups live in Iran like Farsi, Kurds, Lors, Bauchis, Bakhtiaris, Azari Turks, Turkmen, Ghashghiis, Taleshians, and Arabs. So there are many varieties in the language of these groups and even sometimes in their appearance. The common official language and handwriting is "Farsi" , The first of Farvardin (March 21) is beginning of New year in Iran according Solar calendar which is the best time for tourists. The official Flag of Iran is in three colors green, white and red colors. The best mean for traveling to Iran is airplane. An organized railway connects most of the important cities of Iran to each other. And coaches are alternative to all the cities of Iran. Best time to visit Iran : Iran lies in a continental climate with great diversities, being a vast country, Iran has regions with different temperatures even at a specific period of time. Being situated inside a dry belt of the globe and because of the check imposed by the Alborz and Zagros ranges the plateau has a dry desert peculiarity. Winter temperatures often fall below freezing specially in the mountains, while summers are usually hot. In the northern coastal areas of the Caspian Sea climate is mild and humid. The southern parts and the Persian Gulf region have rather a hot and humid weather with pleasant winters. Therefore, because of these climatic diversities one can enjoy from winter sports while at the same time within a few hours of travel it is possible to swim in the warm waters of the Persian Gulf. How to get there : Visa To Iran Flights To Iran Most airlines operate scheduled weekly flights from and to Tehran, including Iran Air the national carrier. Flights reconfirmation must be made 72 hours prior to departure . For all passengers entering and visiting Iran , a valid passport bearing an entry visa is required."Iran Travel" agency makes facilities for this procedure through Ministry of Foreign Affairs . How to dress : According to Islamic law and social beliefs, it is necessary for all ladies to have a manteau and scarf . Banking hours and currency : Banks are open from 09:00 to 16:00 Saturday to Wednesday and 09:00 to 13:30 Thursday. Friday is a public holiday. The unit of currency is Rial. Each 10 Rials make 1 toman. According to the latest statistics each American Dollar is approximately equal to 9000 Iranian Rials. Foreign currencies should be declared upon arrival on a special form .Exchange of these currencies are possible through Bank Melli of Iran. The preferred currency of exchange in Iran is US $ , only selected shops accept master cards and visa credit cards. Time : Local time of the capital, Tehran is three and half hours ahead of G.M.T. Iran Tourist Attractions Comfortable hotels, motels by the coast of Caspian Sea,the largest lake of the world the most attractive tourist center among Iranians, which is very famous for her Caviar all around the world. Ski resorts at Dizin, Shemshak, Ab Ali and Tochal slopes around Tehran make ideal places for winter sports and mountaineering. Kish island is also one the main attractions among the population because of her location in the southern waters of the Persian Golf one can enjoy water sports, and being a free port it is being visited by thousands of eager shoppers in a year. What to buy : Fantastic handicrafts are well known all over the world for instance, tribal rugs of amazing colors and designs,carpets,hand carved silver,brass and copper trays of Isfahan, batik silk, hand printed cottons. Potteries, ceramics and glass ware, leather works, inlaid wood works and miniatures paintings. Electrical current: The electrical current in Iran is 220 V 50 Hertz. [Add Local transport mode] azlina Edit This i would like to know how much will be the cost for bus fare in iran. im preparing myself to get there... World66 rating: [rate it] tel: - address: kuala lumpur,malaysia email: iena_pisces08@yahoo.com _______Economy Edit This Economy—overview Iran's economy is a mixture of central planning state ownership of oil and other large enterprises village agriculture and small-scale private trading and service ventures. Fiscal year: 21 March—20 March ___________Administrative Structure Edit This Constitution & Parliament Iran's Constitution is based upon Islamic teachings. The notion of Velayate-e-Faghi, the Government of the Godly, forms a central theme. Valye-Faghigh (better termed as leader) is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. He also appoints persons to key constitutional bodies such as the Council of Guardians and the Supreme Judicial Council. There is provision in the Constitution for this leadership role to be administered by a committee if no suitable candidate is available. The present leader, is Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenie. Below the leader there is a President, who is elected by direct popular vote for a four-year term. The President's executive powers were strengthened by an amendment to the Constitution in 1990 and now the President is the head of the Government. He forms the Cabinet but each of his Ministers are subject to Majlis scrutiny before appointments are confirmed. There is a 270 member General Assembly called the Majlis. Members are elected by direct popular vote for a four-year term. Only approved Islamic candidates are eligible. There is also a Council of Guardians, whose task it is to ensure that all legislative proposals are in accordance with Islamic principles. Executive Body As mentioned before, the President is in charge of the executive body. He appoints and dismisses Ministers. He also takes direct control over all planning and budgetary affairs For local administrative purposes, Iran is divided into 24 Ostans, or provinces. The Ostans are subject to strict central government control. Each Ministry has its own branch offices and also their own research and planning facilities. Normally, Ministries possess a range of affiliated institutes. Judiciary After the Revolution, the former judicial system was dismantled and Revolutionary Courts were established. Constitutionally, the Supreme Judicial Council is the highest judicial authority. In general Iran has 28 ostanha or provinces such as Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr, Chahar Mahall va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshahan, Khorasan, Khuzestan, Kohkiluyeh va Buyer Ahmadi, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qom, Qazvin, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan __________Public Holidays Edit This National Holidays & Festivals 2001 February 11- Revolution Day March 20 - Oil Nationalisation Day March 21-25 - Noruz April 1 -Islamic Republic Day April 2 -National Day to end Noruz Moveable Feasts April 6 -Islamic New Year April 15- Ashoora June 15 - Prophets Birthday November 27 - Start of Ramadan (not a holiday) January 8 -Eid Al Fitr March 17 -Eid Al Adha (Dates of Muslim holidays are based on Lunar Calendar and vary from one year to the other. Check with Embassy beforehand.) ___________People Edit This Iran, the land of Multiculturalism Iran is the land where various tribes belonging to a diverse geography and ecosystem lived for more than 10000 years. Any border you choose to enter to Iran you meet a unique culture. In the north, East, West, south and centre of this country different pastoralist nomad tribes have lived together with friendship and kindness. Iranian people hospitality is well known throughout the world. This is a characteristic of nomadic lifestyle where people need to communicate and trade with one another on their semiannual migration route. In the northwest of Iran, tribes and nomads of Kurdish and Azeri have lived their pastoralist way of life for thousands of years. Semiannual migration called Kooch is a way of life with unique characteristics that effected Iranian culture for centuries. Pastoralist nomads in search of pasture follow their herds in beautiful mountains. They live in their self-made black tents. They celebrate their weddings up to seven night and days, like in the legends. They serve their guests in the big beautiful white tent. You can see the liveliest and happiest colors beside the cultural patterns inside tents, on every day living tools or on women dresses. Armenian and Assyrians. Traveling to salt-water lake of Urumiah in Azerbaijan, you enter the home of Zorast the profit of Zorast religion, which is the first monogod religion in the history of the world. In this area many Armenian migrated from north and Assyrian migrated from west of Mesopotamia have lived for centuries and maintained their tradition too. You may attend Wardavar an Armenian celebration spraying water at each other or grape festival of Assyrians or many other beautiful ceremonies and celebrations. Armenian and Assyrians are the happiest people in this part of the land. If you are a keen on ecotourism, you can visit Damavand mountain the tallest summit in Alborz mountain range. There is the nest of legendary bird called Symourq, which is an important character in the Iranian legends. After that, you can continue your trip from Alborz mountain range towards north on the coast of Caspian sea. About 900 km of coast line where Alborz is covered with foggy forests. There is Gillan province where Gilakki's lived their old history having a unique language, culture and old stories to tell. Gillakis are hard working people while they are very kind and patient. Women in this society usually have a higher status than men in many various skills of life. This is probably for the role they have in cultivating rise and therefore the economy of the family. You can visit many ceremonies and customs such as bull fighting, Gilaki's wresling, and farming celebrations with their happy sound and music. The other province on the Caspian sea coast is Mazandaran. People celebrate their 1580 th of their Deilami or Tabarri calendar. They start their new year celebration with fire blazing, music and dances. This province is famous for its beautiful seasonal celebrations such as Teerma-Sabze (mid summer) and chelle-h night (longest night of the year). Traveling to Mazandaran, you can stay in a fishermen house on the water and enjoy verity of seafood and vegetarian dishes. Next to Mazandaran locates Turkmen Sahara. This is where Kazaks lived for thousand of years. It is famous that in Gorgan flat in the month of Ordibehesht (April-May) when yellow flowers appear Turkmens fall in love. They have their unique language which is a dialect of Turkish and very unique culture. Nomads in this land have a more sophisticated tent structure with heavy-duty frame and round in shape. They have colorful carpets, tent furniture, brave girls and purebred horses. If you direct your trip southward from Azerbaijan, you can follow Zagros mountain range. This is the oldest part of the country with oldest tribes. Azeri, Kurd, lur, lack, Bakhtiary, and Bouyerahmadi tribe are all from the same root. They also have a profound history and have always protected the Persian western borders. From pasture to ""manaske ab"" You probably saw the film called "pasture" by C.Clark. A documentary film about nomadic life. Although life is not as hard as those days but still nomads travel with horse, donkey, and on foot over the semi annual migration route. You can pass some time or even stay the night with the kind tribal people in their tent on their route while you enjoy the breath taking scenery. If you travel farther south, you reach the biggest Iranian river, Karun on the west side of Khuzestan province. This is the land of mandai tribe. They are followers of Ibrahim the profit. Speaking with their unique language, they are mostly involved in gold design and handcraft art. Their culture is connected with the Karun currents. There you see olive trees, diverse delicious seafood dishes and they dress in white. These elements are all affecting the Mandais culture. Farther south on the Persian gulf coast you reach Hormozgan province. This is where warm-blooded khuzestani people with a diverse ethnicity live. Their lifestyle and trading with neighboring countries and Iran's provinces made them a multicultural society. African, Indian or even European have traveled and lived in this part of the country for centuries and they wouldn’t feel stranger here. You can attend the Zar festival a ceremony full of dance and music to cure all diseases, have seafood and enjoy a boat ride on the blue Persian Gulf. Among Baluchs Continue your trip eastward on the Persian gulf coast, you reach Systan and Baluchestan province. This remote part of the country borders with Pakistan. Cultural elements can be found from south to north. Baluchis have a music for each stage of their life. Their beautiful handicraft is covered with mysterious patterns. In Baluchi culture guests are very respectable. Among Baluchis is famous that even enemy when come to front of the tent or the door they would be served as a guest. It is interesting to know that in Baluchi culture when a fight for any reason starts among men a respectful woman can stop it by throwing her scarf or head cover in between the fight and men to respect her would stop the fight. At last you can end your tour around Iran at Khurasan, the Macao of shied-e Muslim. This old province is the home of many philosophers and scientists such as Hakim Omar Khayyam, Ferdosi, and Attar-E Neyshapouri. Mashhad City, the centre of the province, is where you can find great architect. Of course provinces such as Yazd in the centre of the country with spectacular handcraft and architect and Esfahan the capital of culture and art and Kerman province where mountain and desert meet shouldn’t be forgotten. At last we wish you a wonderful trip in wonderland and see you among Iranian tribes and nomads soon. ::::::::::Abadan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo_4 Abadan is a city near Persian Gulf. It is located among 3 rivers and a sea and it has a big petroleum refinery that was the biggest in middle east for years. It is well known because of its Abadan Institute of Technology (AIT) founded in 1939. ::::::::::Ahwaz Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Ahvaz is the anagram of "Avaz" and "Avaja" which appear in Darius's epigraph. This word appears in Naqsh-Rostam inscription as "Khaja" or "Khooja" too.[citation needed] First named Ohrmazd-Ardašer (Persian: ???????????) (Roamn Hormizdartazir[3]) it was built near the beginning of the Sassanid dynasty on what historians believe to have been the site of the old city of Taryana, a notable city under the Persian Achaemenid dynasty. It was founded either by Ardashir I in 230 (cf. Encyclopædia Iranica, al-Muqaddasi, et al.) or (according to the Middle Persian Šahrestaniha i Eranšahr) by his grandson Hormizd I; the town's name either combined Ardashir's name with the Zoroastrian name for God, Ohrmazd or Hormizd's name with that of his grandfather. It became the seat of the province, and was also referred to as Humšer. During the Sassanid era, an irrigation system and several dams were constructed, and the city prospered. Examples of Sassanid-era dams are Band-e Bala-rud, Band-e Mizan, Band-e Borj Ayar and Band-e Khak. The city replaced Susa, the ancient capital of Susiana, as the capital of what was then called Xuzestan. The city had two sections; the nobles of the city lived in one part while the other was inhabited by merchants.[4] When the Arabs invaded the area in 640, the part of the city home to the nobility was demolished but the Huj-i-stanwacar "Market of Khuz State", the merchant area, remained intact. The city was therefore renamed Suq al-Ahwaz, "Market of the Khuz", a semi-literal translation of the Persian name of this quarter - Ahwaz being the Arabic broken plural of Hûz, taken from the ancient Persian term for the native Elamite peoples, Huja (remaining in medieval Xuzig "of the Khuz" and modern Xuzestan "Khuz State", as noted by Yaqut al-Hamawi (1179-1229) and Abu-Mansoor Javalighi. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahwaz ::::::::::Ardabil Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Ardabil - Heiran Natural Ardabil - Heiran Natural Navid Maleki Ardabil or Ardebil, city in north-west Iran, in Ardabil Province. The city is on a plateau about 1,525 m (5,000 ft) above sea level. Because of a healthful climate and the warm mineral springs in the vicinity, Ardabìl was a favourite home of the rulers of Persia. Historical landmarks in the city include the tomb of Ismail I, founder of the Safavid dynasty (1502-1736) of Persian shahs, and the home (now a Muslim shrine) of the Persian saint Safi-al-Din. In the Middle Ages the city was important because it was near the Lenkoran-Tabrìz caravan route. Population (1986) 281,973. Ardabil is an Old city of Iran. It was a capital of Iran when shah esmaeel safavi was governing. This Photo is from Shorabil bay. Shorabil bay is near by Ardabil and it is so beautiful. Ardabil stands about 60km from the Caspian Sea. It is located on an open plain 1,400 m above sea level, just east of Mount Sabalan (4,811 m), where cold spells occur until late spring. Access is made by difficult roads. It is surrounded by vast areas of grazing grounds, without trees. It suffered a major earthquake in 1997, causing hundreds of fatalities. Being a city of great antiquity, the origins of Ardabil go back to 1500 years ago. This city was the capital of Azerbaijan province in different times, but its golden age was in the Safavid period. Neighbouring on the Caspian Sea and the Republic of Azerbaijan, this city is of great political and economical significance. Enjoying fertile soil and adequate precipitation, Ardebil is an important agricultural centre in Iran. The mineral springs of Ardebil are Beele-Darreh, Sar'eyn, Sardabeh and Booshloo, being famous for their medicinal qualities throughout Iran. The complex of Sheikh Safi-ad-Din-e-Ardabili is an impressive ancient monument, comprising the following components: the mausoleums of Sheikh Safi and Shah Isma'il, Chini khaneh (meaning the house of chinaware), a mosque, Jannat Sara (meaning the house of paradise), Khanaqah (the house of Dervishes), Cheragh Khaneh (the house of lamps), Shahid khaneh (the house of martyrs) and Chelleh Khaneh (the place where devotees shut themselves up during the forty days of Lent). The mausoleum of Sheikh Safi, the famous dome of which is called "Allah-Allah" has an octagonal interior. The other significant historical monuments are as follows: the mausoleum of Sheikh Jebra'il, located 2 kms north of Ardebil, the old but always lively bazaar, the Friday mosque, and a few ancient bridges. In addition to these, in many villages of Ardebil, relics of ancient monuments, including tombs have been found. Covering an area of 18011 sq kms the province of Ardebil has been blessed with splendid natural beauty and numerous sights. This province is bounded on the north by the Republic of Azerbaijan, on the east by Gilan, on the south by Zanjan and on the west by the eastern Azerbaijan. Generally, the weather of the highlands of Sabalan is cold, Ardebil city is mild and the Moghan Plain (Dasht-e-Moghan) is warm. But the distinctive feature of the weather in almost all parts of the province is freshness in summer, attracting a large number of people. The Talesh mountains, stretching southward, separate Ardebil from the Caspian region. This chain runs northward to meet Mount Salavat Dagh and Mount Khoroosloo which are in the south of the plateau of Moghan. Mount Sabalan and the volcanic peak of Soltan-e-Savalan (4811 metres) are among other mountains of the province. At the top of this volcano, having been inactive in historical times, there is a beautiful pool encircled by snow all year round. The lush pasture and mineral springs on the slopes of Mt. Sabalan create spectacular natural sights. The plateau of Moghan, in the north-west of the province, runs to the Caspian Sea. This fertile plateau is among the most important agricultural regions in Iran. The lakes are numerous, the largest of which are Ne'or, Shoorabil, Shoor-Gel, Nou-Shahr and Aloocheh that are the habitats of some species of water birds. Lake Ne'or, located in a mountainous area, 48 kms south-east of the city of Ardebil, has splendid natural beauty. This lake, the water of which gushes out from the springs in the bed, covers an area of 210 ha and has an average depth of 3 metres. Lake Shoorabil located in a hilly area south of the city of Ardebil, covers an area of 64 ha. The surface of the lake is covered with a thin white layer of minerals, being useful for healing skin diseases and rheumatism. Near the lake there is the leisure complex of Shoorabil. The Araz is the largest river of the province, originating in the mountains of the eastern Turkey, flowing along the Iranian borders with the Republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia and emptying into the Caspian Sea. The vast plateau of Moghan is watered by this river. Other important rivers of the province are the Darreh-Rood, the Qara-Soo, the Khiyav-Chay and the Namin-Chay. The mineral springs are numerous, among which the hot springs of Sar'eyn in Ardebil and the mineral springs of Khlkhal, Sardabeh and Booshli are of more importance. The forested areas in Khalkhal and Ardebil are covered with oaks, beeches, maples and hornbeams. In the mountainous region of Sabalan and Talesh there are lush pastures which are used by villagers and pastoral nomads for animal husbandry. Wildlife includes wolves, bears, leopards, gazelles, mouflons, ibexes, eagles, partridges pheasants, poisonous snakes and alligators. The majority of the people are Muslim, faithful to the religious traditions. In some regions of the province, especially in Moghan, where the tribes of Ilsavan and Qara Dagh live, there is tribal life. The roads aren't always good, but they are very scenic, passing through the forested and mountainous areas and the lush pastures, you find one splendid view follows another during journey between different places. The cities of Ardebil and Pars-Abab, having airports capable of handling jets, are served by regular flights to and from Tabriz and Tehran. Fertile soil, adequate water and the establishment of "Kesht-o-San'at-e-Moghan" comprising agricultural, animal husbandry and industrial units, have made this province a major centre for producing corn, fruit and meat. The said establishment, being unique in its kind in the Middle East, utilizes modern methods, techniques and machinery for producing and harvesting the crops, improving the fertility of the soil and the quality of the seeds, and producing and caring for domestic animals. This establishment also includes a sugar mill. Wheat, barley, beet and cotton are important crops. In addition to these, apiculture is an active industry and the honey produced in Ardebil province has nation-wide fame. Handicrafts, such as carpet weaving, jajim (a fine carpet made of wool or cotton) and gelim (a rug mad of goats' hair) weaving and pottery also play a main role in the economy of the province. Mineral resources consist of copper, limestone and sulphur. Pars-Abad :::::::Astara Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see North Of Iran North Of Iran Ehsan Pahloosai Astara (population 7000) is a city near the Caspian Sea and the Tavalesh Mountains in Gilan. 140 km from Bandar-e-anzali and 75 km from Ardebil. It is near Azerbayjan. The inahbitants are friendly, speak Talyshi, Farsi and Turkish and are busy working in the sea, manufacturing and business. :::::::::Bam Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo Bam is located in South-eastern corner Kerman province. Maintaining its position in the middle of the Southern trade route, this small-fortified city on the outskirts of the vast Dasht-i-L.t desert is just 350km west of the modern day Pakistan and 450km north of the Persian Gulf. Whether you are heading in either direction, Bam is an ideal place to stop for rest. Ancient Bam Located in southeastern Iran, 200 kilometers south of Kerman, the ancient city of Arg-e-Bam is made entirely of mud bricks, clay, straw and the trunks of palm trees. The city was originally founded during the Sassanian period (224-637 AD) and while some of the surviving structures date from before the 12th century, most of what remains was built during the Safavid period (1502-1722). During Safavid times, the city occupied six square kilometers, was surrounded by a rampart with 38 towers, and had between 9000 and 13,000 inhabitants. Bam prospered because of pilgrims visiting its Zoroastrian fire temple (dating to early Sassanian times) and as a commercial and trading center on the famous Silk Road. Upon the site of the Zoroastrian temple the Jame Mosque was built during the Saffarian period (866-903 AD) and adjacent to this mosque is the tomb of Mirza Naiim, a mystic and astronomer who lived three hundred years ago. Bam declined in importance following an invasion by Afghans in 1722 and another by invaders from the region of Shiraz in 1810. The city was used as a barracks for the army until 1932 and then completely abandoned. Intensive restoration work began in 1953 and continued till the earthquake. Ancient Bam, or the Arg-e-Bam, at its peak of political, economic, and military power had some 11,000 citizens living in 400 houses within its city walls, which still stand much the way they did hundreds of years ago. Since the city's inception, judged to be between 250 BC . 224 AD, Bam has thrived as an energetic market place and a focal point for the region. It was not until a devastating Afghan invasion in 1722, which crippled the city and forced its inhabitants to flee, that Bam's downfall began. Existing in shadows of its own historical greatness from 1722 and 1890, the city eventually closed its illustrious gates to civilians at the turn of the century. For the forty-year period following, the city was an active military barracks, and then lay vacant until the restoration process began in the early 1950s. A moment is all it will take for you long to realize that Bam is an extraordinary historical site. Many of the well-visited historical sites in the world, such as the Acropolis in Athens and the Coliseum in Rome, only give the archaeologist and tourist a limited slice of history. Bam, on the other hand, clearly displayed the imprints of over 2000 years of continuous history. Surrounded by inhospitable deserts and mountains, the Arg-i-Bam seemed to shine out amongst its inhospitable surroundings. When you strolled through front gates, you came face to face with ancient Bam. Houses, schools, mosques, gymnasiums, and bathhouses stand in the same places they did centuries ago. These structures maintained their allure, and they had the rare ability to give visitors a most inspiring adrenaline rush at first sight. Mud and sand stone buildings held much of their original shape. Little imagination was required in viewing the site and grasping how these people went about their daily lives. The superb archways and narrow dirt paths between apartment blocks, shops, markets and mosques provided the privacy and intrigue that made this historical site Iran's most treasured. Dec. 2003: Devastation A powerful earthquake struck southeastern Iran on December 26, 2003, killing over 43,000 people, injured 20,000, left 60,000 homeless and destroyed much of the city of Bam. The USGS National Earthquake information center is reported a magnitude of 6.6 for the quake, which was located just southwest of the city. About 60 percent of the buildings in Bam were destroyed. The old quarter and a 2,000-year-old citadel (severely damaged by the earthquake) were built primarily of mud brick. Future? Before the quake, Bam was sustained thanks to its palm trees (Bam dates are the best in Iran, what means that they are the best in the world) and also from the heavy drug traffic (opium) than comes from Afghanistan. That's still what remains in Bam: a bit less date business and opium everywhere; it's said (and it's real) that 80% of male adults are adicts. NGOs are still working hard for the recovery of this pearl of the desert. :::::::::Bandar e anzali Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see from reza nejite ( i love you frome any where in this word i love you my twon from reza nejite ( i love you frome any where in this word i love you my twon ship and ocean ltd Bandar e Anzali is a beautiful piece of land. If you get a chance to visit Iran, spend a day or two to visit this beautiful city. Just walk in the city, pass the bridge that connects Anzali to Ghazian and just breathe. Although the Shah's palace is a nice place to visit, the nature is far more enjoyable. Fishing in the Mordab lagoon and swimming in the Caspian sea is an absolute joy. ______Museums Edit This [Add Museum] naval museum Edit This (kakh-e-shah) World66 rating: [rate it] address: BandarAnzali.takavaran st. ::::::::::Borujen Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Siasard near Borujen Siasard near Borujen Akbar Kayvani 2004 Borujen is the roof of Iran, sometimes especially in the winter its temperature reaches to -25 celsius, although it is cool enough in the summer. So you must go there in the summer. Siahsard Spring, Choghakhor Lake, and Sabz-e kooh Mountains are of great imporance for new tourists. It is well known because of its scienists, and people's intelligence; The President Khatami have called this city "Small Greece". Gaz is a good gift taken from this city by tourists. It is a nice sweet . Siasard is a very nice Tourist area right outside edge of Borujen that is extremly nice especilly in summer that thousands of people from all over Iran visit there daily mostly on weekend, and enjoye the breath taking beauty of site, and fresh air. This area is suronded one side by mountain, and there are two spring of fresh drinking water flowing in two spot and join toghther, and goes to big pool. Then water run from pool ran as stream down to many Fruit and flower garden down the stream. Families picnic on manny man made flat bed seating area under huge oak, and other kind of threes that been there for houndred of years. :::::::::Candowan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see x Kandowan Village house cut into a cliff East Azarbayijan Kandowan is a troglodyte village situated nineteen kilometers south of Osku in East Azarbayijan. A Small local population lives in a natural caves, subsisting through farming and animal husbandry. :::::::: Caspian sea resorts Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Deylaman Deylaman Hussein Ebrahimi Aliabad is a very luxurious place, with pearly white beaches and bright blue water that is so clear you can see your reflection. With little shark attacks and beautiful fish in the reefs, aliabad is a wonderful place to spend your summer. ::::::::: Chabahar Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Chabahar is one of the beautifull city in West Iran, It's a great holiday destention, and have great beaches. :::::::El-Goli Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see down palce down palce vafa El-Goli is a big park just outside Tabriz. If you are in Tabriz you should not miss this park. Very big park ::::::::Gonbad Kavous Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see This city is located in the north east of Iran, in Golestal provience. There is an old tower in Gonbad which is 1005 years old. There are so many others attractions!!! Mile Gonbad ( Tower of Gonbad ) which is located in centre of city is the worlds tallest brick building. Most of people living in Gonbad are Turkmens. It is worth to visit !!! __________History Edit This Weather...Gonbad Has a nice weather in spring,automn and winter.(no too hot and cool)warm weather...but its summer!OOOP!Hot Hot Hot!!!you can cook ur lunch on bottom of streets ::::::::Gonbad Kavous Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see This city is located in the north east of Iran, in Golestal provience. There is an old tower in Gonbad which is 1005 years old. There are so many others attractions!!! Mile Gonbad ( Tower of Gonbad ) which is located in centre of city is the worlds tallest brick building. Most of people living in Gonbad are Turkmens. It is worth to visit !!! ___________History Edit This Weather...Gonbad Has a nice weather in spring,automn and winter.(no too hot and cool)warm weather...but its summer!OOOP!Hot Hot Hot!!!you can cook ur lunch on bottom of streets :::::::::Hamadan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo_1 Hamadan is a pleasant enough city on the fringes of Kurdistan,fairly easily reachable from elsewhere in Iran. It is an ancient location,the major classical persian city Ecbatana was located here,and just outside the center you can wander through excavated parts,although there's not a lot of interest to be seen if you're not an archeological buff. What is nice though,is the cool mountains just outside town where you can have chai next to a nice waterfall with ancient texts commisioned by Xerxes and Cyrus the great hewn in the rocks nearby. Other point of interest is the 14th c tomb of Esther and Mordechai,Esther being credited with introducing the jewish faith in ancient persia though her husband the ruler. The caretaker is an elderly french-speaking jew who can tell some interesting stuff about the still existing millenia old jewish community in the city(nowadays just a dozen or so families).Finally,not many travellers venture here,you'll be an attraction by itself(especially 3 young,tall,blond europeans) and every less shy student of english will politely approach you,which makes it very easy to find a willing and free guide. NOTE: I was there in 2000,so write from recollection.. :::::::::Hormuz Island Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Small island in the Persian Gulf(strait of Hormuz,might ring a bell..)far off the beaten track and not far offshore from the major portcity of Bandar-e-Abbas.There does not seem to be a regular ferryservice going there but you can easily catch one of the smugglers boats ferrying people over,the island is basically a smugglers denn,transporting cheap cigarettes to the Emirates accross the straits seems to be the only source of income. Just check with boats in which people are already waiting for the boat to fill up ,moored off the jetties in the port. The short and bumpy speedboat ride is quite uneventful. The island has one attraction: a large,totally abandoned european castle. This was the regional hub of the portuguese traders in the region in the 16th c. Later the castle was occupied by the Dutch and the English. Now largely in ruins but still an imposing site on the promomtory just past Hormuz town. For the rest there's nothing to see on the island although the omnipresent lethargy and seriously oppressing heat give an end-of-the-world feeling. Anyway,if you make it to Bandar anyway (nothing to see) why not take this short side trip. Prepare for some sweating! ::::::::::Isfahan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Shah Mosque Shah Mosque Ehsan Pahloosai from Shiraz - Iran Isfahan or Esfahan is one of the oldest cities of Iran with the 1,001,000 population located 355 km (220 miles) south of Tehran. This 2 500 years old city served as Persia's capital from 1598 to 1722. Isfahan was a crossroad of international trade and diplomacy, and therefore was a kaleidoscope of resident languages, religions, and customs. The city is known for its silver filigree and metal work. The city's golden age took place under the reign of Shah Abbas I (1587-1629) who unified Persia. Once the capital of ancient dynasties, Isfahan reached height of prosperity and fame as the seat of the Safavid Kings in the seventeenth century. At that time, Isfahan, enjoyed the reputation of being one of the largest and most beautiful cities in the whole world. This city is renowned not only for the abundance of great historical monuments, but also for its Life-Giving River, The Zayandeh-Rood, which has given the city an original beauty and a fertile land. Isfahan is filled with old gardens and some of the best sights in Iran. Some of these are: the Naqsh-e-Jahan Square where you can visit the breathtakingly beautiful Sheik Lotfollah mosque, as well as the larger (and bluer)Imam Mosque. The Chehel Sotun (40 columns) palace has some beautiful paintings adorning the walls, and a lovely garden to stroll around. And don't miss the ancient bridges crossing the river, or the amazing Vank Cathedral in the Armenian quarter - a real crossroads between Christian and Islamic art. There are some lovely places to eat too, and of course the fabulous covered bazaar where you can see artisans at work as well as feast your eyes on an array of beautiful carpets. Isfahan is a wonderful place to walk around and spend a few days soaking up Persian culture. ::::::::::Kashan Sights Edit This Kashan is famous for several major attractions, including its fine carpets and rosewater. Kashan has a long tradition of festivals like Qhalishuyan and Golabgiran. Also some very famous Iranian villages like Abiyane and Qhamsar are located in this province. Kashan was the home of ancient civilization, Sialk, which had existed in this region, about 7 thousand BC up to 400 BC. Fin bath belonging to Qajar era is another attraction located at the heart of the Kashan city, the capital of the province. ::::::::Kazvin Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see x "Hoseiniee" Qazvin 02 Ali Khallaghi Kazvin is a fairly interesting town,just a few hours by motorway from Tehran,which is the usual springboard for the valleys of the Assassins. In town it's quite easy to find a guide willing to take you there,just ask around,which will cost you around 25$ and can be done as a daytrip. There are several other interesting daytrips possible from here. The town itself has seen better days,was much more important historically and allegedly has a reputation for religious puritanity(although we didn't notice anything unusual). Still,there are some nice buildings to be seen in the old town,including a quite beautiful mosque. :::::::Kerman Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Kerman-Sirch Kerman-Sirch Behzaad Bahreyni City of Kerman is the center of the Kerman province located 1022 KM south-east of Tehran. Around 2 million people live in the Kerman province and 340,000 of them live in its central city-Kerman. It is an ancient city and during the Achaemenids dynasty it was called Botia. It has some of the oldest urban developments of the province, perhaps dating back around 2000 years. Kerman is a center of trade in the region. It also is a major carpet production center of the country. The carpets are hand woven in hundreds of small workshops all around the city. Being an ancient city, Kerman has a great number of sights to visit. It can be accessed by the Persian gulf and Oman Sea ports through railway and highways. See also other cities of Iran Isfahan Kashan Persepolis Shiraz Tabriz Tehran Qum _________Sights Edit This Kerman has a number of interesting sights to visit. Masjid-e-Jom'e or Friday Mosque is one of them. It was built in the 14th Century during the Safavid Dynasty. The Mosque is considered to be the most fabulous structure in the city. It is located in the main square of "Shohada". The Mosque is designed in the classical Iranian model with four iwans (verandahs). It has a wonderful blue faience featuring shades of blue from turquoise to ultramarine, creating a vertical horizon of smooth shimmering tiles. The wall of the Mihrab (altar) and the central dome are also decorated with admirable geometric compositions. The altar is open to the public. _________History Edit This Kerman has had a long and full of dramatic events history. Many times it was the center of regional conflicts. Only during the rule of the Qajar Dynasty the security and tranquility were restored and the Central Government was established. The city's name is originated from the Germaniol race listed by Herodotus. It was established in the early 3rd Century AD by Ardashir I, founder of Sassanid Dynasty. After the 7th Century, Kerman was ruled by Turkmans, Arabs and Mongols . Kerman expanded rapidly during the Safavid Dynasty. During this period carpets and rugs were exported to England and Germany. :::::::::::Kermanshah Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Taghbostan Taghbostan Talieh Located 525 kilometers from Tehran,Kermanshah is the capital city of the province enjoying a mild climate. Kermanshah is one of the ancient cities of Iran and it's construction is attributed to Tahmoress,the fabulous king of Pishdadian dynasty,but some others attribute it to the Sassanids. It was a glorious city in Sassanide period,badly damaged in the attack of Arabs. With the attack of Afghans to Isfahan,Kermanshah was equally destroyed by Ottoman government. Again in early 11th century AH it developed gradually.Safavid kings paid due attention to the city to advance their relation with Ottoman government and prevent the attacks of Zanganeh tribes. In the Qajar time the attack of Ottomans to the city decreased.In 1221,AH Mohammad-Ali-Shah the Qajar King resided in the city for preventing Ottomans attacks.An engrave of him can be seen in Tagh-Bostan. There are several buildings and monuments in city belonging to the Qajar period. Kermanshah was played an important role in Mashrota Movement in Qajar period and Republic Movement in Pahlavi period. now Kermanshah is the 6th biggest city in Iran with population more than 1,000,000 and its the centre of west part of the country. ::::::::::::Khorramshahr Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo Town in southwestern Iran with just about 150,000 people. It is located on the west bank of the Karun River. The most important section of city is the port of the city. Khorramshahr used to be one of the main ports in Iran and due to teh Iraq and Iran war major parts of the city have been destroyed. :::::::ish island Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo_5 Kish Island is located on the north east of the Persian Gulf about 17 km from the southern offshore of the mainland Iran. The island has beautiful white silvery sand beaches for relaxing walks. Kish is the closest thing to a posh beach resort Iran has to offer. There are seperate beaches for men and women. The best time to visit is between November and March - it can be hot and humid in summer. In 12th century, it was an Arab Port and famous for its pearls. When Marco Polo visited the Imperial court in China, he commented on the Emperor's wife pearls, he was told that they were from Kish. In the 1960's the last Shah turned it into a luxury resort . After the Islamic Revolution, it has become a duty-free shopping center with good prices on electronics. Check with customs or the KFZO (Kish Free Zone Org) about current customs regulations. There are flights from Shiraz and Tehran and boats from Bandar e Abbas and Bushehr. One can also go from the UAE too .... lots of people who need to upgrade/extend their visas go to Kish Islands for the mandatory exit required by UAE. It is recommended to contact local authorities visa related informations prior to travel to kish. _________Things to do Edit This Big Coral Reef Big Coral Reef Mohammad rasoul Bagherian SCUBA DIVING ! Discover The Persian Gulf start now from Kish Island ! If you are constantly searching for the ultimate adrenaline high . . . you should be a PADI Diver in kish island. Whether exploring the secrets of a sunken wreck here in the Persian Gulf, exploring remote Islands off the Farur, or experiencing close encounters with fascinating species in exotic corners of the globe, you’ll find adventure on every dive and meet others who share your quest for unending excitement. Drag yourself out of the dark ages! These days, reefs are in, sharks are cool and extreme adventure is the way to go! your local scuba diving guide in KISH island: http://iranscubadiver.com/_wsn/page20.html ::::::::Lake Urmia Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Lake Rezaiyeh is now known as Lake Urmia and is in the Azarbaijan region of Iran. Lake Rezaiyeh is now known as Lake Urmia and is in the Azarbaijan region of Iran. Urmia is a large salt water lake close to Tabriz. It has good mud baths. You may want to spend all day soaking up the sun on its shores or maybe go for a swim in its saline like waters. Whatever you chose the sites around this lake are breath taking. ::::::::Maku Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see sardar museum sardar museum behnamf1@yahoo.com Maku is loacted in the west of Iran some 15km from Turkish border. There is not much to see in Maku but it is a good place to stay if you want to cross the border to Dogubeyazit in Turkey. Maku is located in a spectacular mountain gorge and you the hills around are good frop hiking. Be careful though: you are close to the border and crossing by accident would be one of the more stupid ways to get yourself killed. 10 km to the west of town is the small Urartian citadel of Sangar. In town you can visit the Maku Palace which dates back to Ghajar period. It is presently a museum but it used to be the house of a local governor until 1974. ::::::::::Mariwan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see zrebar-mariwan zrebar-mariwan dler.mardokhi.http://www.mariwangallery.blogfa.com Mariwan: Language: kurdish Accent: southern kermanj(sourani). Awramanat: hawrami(gurani) Penmanship: kurdish with arabic calligraphy Religion: Islam (sonni 92.99%. the rest…) Historical background: Mariwan suburbs ancient surroundings such as ‘sawji’ , kolan, mereg and bisaran and two western and eastern hills, indicate neolithic mankind habitation in this region, and its continuance during copper age from fourth thousandth B.C. . Therefrom mariwan has been on the way of ‘tisfoon’ to ‘ azargashsb’ fire temple, (solomon throne in the north of tekab) it has been into consideration of Arscacides and sassanides for ages. in pahlavi treatise has been stipulated which ‘bahram goor’ made a city next to ‘bahram avand’ or ‘zere war’ lake, and in assyria’s resourceses been mentioned that ‘sargen’ the king of assyria, builds a city under the name of ‘ door ashoor’ or ‘ karsharokin’ in the south of mariwan in 1500B.C. ( kurd, history and descent connection, vol3rd,tehran, rashid yasemi, ebn sina pub,pages 49,54) Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: http://mariwangallery.blogfa.com/post-106.aspx ::::::::::Mariwan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see zrebar-mariwan zrebar-mariwan dler.mardokhi.http://www.mariwangallery.blogfa.com Mariwan: Language: kurdish Accent: southern kermanj(sourani). Awramanat: hawrami(gurani) Penmanship: kurdish with arabic calligraphy Religion: Islam (sonni 92.99%. the rest…) Historical background: Mariwan suburbs ancient surroundings such as ‘sawji’ , kolan, mereg and bisaran and two western and eastern hills, indicate neolithic mankind habitation in this region, and its continuance during copper age from fourth thousandth B.C. . Therefrom mariwan has been on the way of ‘tisfoon’ to ‘ azargashsb’ fire temple, (solomon throne in the north of tekab) it has been into consideration of Arscacides and sassanides for ages. in pahlavi treatise has been stipulated which ‘bahram goor’ made a city next to ‘bahram avand’ or ‘zere war’ lake, and in assyria’s resourceses been mentioned that ‘sargen’ the king of assyria, builds a city under the name of ‘ door ashoor’ or ‘ karsharokin’ in the south of mariwan in 1500B.C. ( kurd, history and descent connection, vol3rd,tehran, rashid yasemi, ebn sina pub,pages 49,54) Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: http://mariwangallery.blogfa.com/post-106.aspx ::::::::::Mashhad Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see holy shrine holy shrine Mashhad is the holiest city of Iran, a country that is quite rich in holy places. It is located in the north-east corner of the country, in the mountainous region that is known as the Khorazan. The name Mashhad means place of martyrdom and the Martyr in question is Imam Reza. Back in the 9th century, this Shiite leader was poisoned here the city. His holy position made his tomb a sacred place for pilgrims to worship. Millions of people come as pilgrims to the holy shrine. There are plenty of priceless objects and unique manuscripts in the shrine's library. By Iranian standards Mashad can be considered a tourist city with many hotels of various categories as well as a great number of guest houses for the pilgrims who come to this city from the other parts of the country everyday by tens of flights, trains and buses. The city's climatic condition is varied with very cold winters, pleasant springs, usually mild summers and beautiful autumns. The magnificent holy shrine of Imam Reza and the historical and artistic complex attached to it including the courtyards, porticos and porches, the Goharshad Mosque (of Timurid period) as well as its rich museum and libray are the most significant sights to be seen by any visitor and pilgrim. There is a magnificent golden dome over the shrine's building; surrounded by several proches. The Grand Gohaharshad Mosque is located to the south of the shrine, the museum and the tomb of Sheikh Bahaee to the southeast and Parizad and Balasar Schools to the west. Other than a number of large beautiful parks, the other sights tomb of Nader Shah, Kooh Sangi pool. There are also some sights outside the city. Tomb of Khajeh Morad kilometers from Mashad along the road to Tehran, the tomb of Khajeh Rabi' located 6 kilometers north of the city where there are some inscriptions by the renowned Safavid calligrapher Reza Abbasi, and the tomb of Khajeh Abasalt in a distance of 20 kilometers from Mashad along the road to Neishabur. (the three personalities were the disciples of Imam Reza). Among the other sights are the tomb of the great poet Ferdowsi in Tuz, 24 kilometers away from Mashad; and the Summer resorts at Torghabeh, Torogh, Akhlomod, Zoshk and Shandiz. ::::::::Meshkin-Shahr Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Meshkin-Sabaln 1 Meshkin-Sabaln 1 Mansour.r One of the most ancient city in Iran, is Meshkin Shahr. It is located in the north-west of Iran in Azerbaijan and its distance to Tehran is 839 kilometers. It is the nearest city to the Sabalan high mountain. The weather of this city and the district of Meshkin Shahr is moderate mountainous. It was calling: "Khiav","Orami","Varavi" in the past. The most important places for touring in the district of Meshkin Shahr are as following: - Hot water springs of Moiel , Eelando and Qaynarja located in the suburb of the city. - Water spring of Qotur Suie located 42 kilometers to Meshkin shahr. - Old Castle of Meshkin Shahr. - Qahqaheh castle located 80 kilometers to Meshkin Shahr. - Deev castle located in kavij. - Petrograph of Shapour Sasani in Meshkin Shahr. - Tomb of Sheykh Haydar in Meshkin Shahr. - Imamzadeh Seyyed Soleyman. - khiavonline in north of meshkin shahr. ==BLOG== ''Hamed Tohidi'' add: http://www.meshkinshahr.blog.om :::::::Nishapur Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Attar Attar The correct city name is Neyshabur. It's in north east of Iran and about 100 Km to Afghanestan's border. I will try to collect some more information and post it as soon as possible. This is my home town and I still have most of my family there. Amir, Toronot ::::::::::Pars-Abad Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Pars-Abad in Pars-Abad city very good for besenes and farmering . Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: Pars-Abad ::::::::Pasargadae Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Pasargad.Tomb of Great Cyrus Pasargad.Tomb of Great Cyrus Ehsan Pahloosai.Shiraz According to the Roman geographer Strabo of Amasia, Pasargadae was built on the site where king Cyrus defeated the leader of the Medes, Astyages, in 550 BCE (Strabo, Geography 15.3.8). That Cyrus was indeed the builder of this town, can be corroborated from the building inscriptions in the palace, which state Cyrus the Great King, an Achaemenian. The heart of Pasargadae is the citadel, which is known as Tall-i-Takht or 'throne hill'. It overlooks a garden ('paradise') in the south, and the palace complex itself. This consists of two smaller units: the residential palace and the many columned audience hall. The audience hall or Apadana can be approached from the south-east; the visitor first has to pass a gate and then has to cross a bridge over the river Pulvâr. Stylistically, the Apadana belongs to the architectural tradition of the Iranian nomads, who lived in large tents. However, Cyrus used elements from other cultures as well: sculptures from the Assyrian palaces were used as models, work was done by stonemasons from Greek Ionia, and a Phoenician demon guarded the palace. Probably, the population of the city had a similar, mixed character. The small tomb of king Cyrus -stylistically based on a model from western Turkey- is situated a little to the southwest. It was venerated by later rulers, a.o. the Macedonian king Alexander the Great, who ordered restorations in January 324 BCE. The tomb of Cyrus' successor Cambyses was never finished. :::::::::Persepolis Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Persepolis Persepolis Vahedi The magnificent palace complex at Persepolis was founded by Darius the Great aro und 518 B.C., although more than a century passed before it was finally completed. Conceived to be the seat of government for the Achaemenian kings and a center for receptions and ceremonial festivities, the wealth of the Persian empire was evident in all aspects of its construction. The splendor of Persepolis, however, was short-lived; the palaces were looted and burned by Alexander the Great in 331-330 B.C. The ruins were not excavated until the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago sponsored an archaeological expedition to Persepolis and its environs under the supervision of Professor Ernst Herzfeld from 1931 to 1934, and Erich F. Schmidt from 1934 to 1939. The magnificent ruins of Persepolis lie at the foot of Kouh-e Rahmat, or "Mountain of Mercy," in the plain of Marv Dasht about 850 kilometers south of the present capital city of Tehran and about 50 kilometers north of Shiraz The exact date of the founding of Persepolis is not known. It is assumed that Darius I began work on the platform and its structures between 518 and 516 B.C., visualizing Persepolis as a show place and the seat of his vast Achaemenian Empire. He proudly proclaimed his achievement; there is an excavated foundation inscription that reads, "And Ahuramazda was of such a mind, together with all the other gods, that this fortress (should) be built. And (so) I built it. And I built it secure and beautiful and adequate, just as I was intending to." But the security and splendor of Persepolis lasted only two centuries. Its majestic audience halls and residential palaces perished in flames when Alexander the Great conquered and looted Persepolis in 330 B.C. and, according to Plutarch, carried away its treasures on 20,000 mules and 5,000 camels. From the time of its barbaric destruction until A.D. 1620, when its site was first identified, Persepolis lay buried under its own ruins. During the following centuries many people traveled to and described Persepolis and the ruins of its Achaemenid palaces. Many of their observations were later condensed and published by George N. Curzon in Persia and the Persian Question (London and New York, 1892). But scholarly and scientifically planned work was not undertaken until 1931. Then Ernst Herzfeld, at that time Professor of Oriental Archaeology in Berlin, was commissioned by James H. Breasted, Director of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, to undertake a thorough exploration, excavation and, if possible, restoration of the remains of Persepolis. Thus, Herzfeld, in 1931 became the first field director of the Oriental Institute's Persepolis Expeditions. In 1931-34, assisted by his architect, Fritz Krefter, he uncovered on the Persepolis Terrace the beautiful Eastern Stairway of the Apadana and the small stairs of the Council Hall. He also excavated the Harem of Xerxes . When Herzfeld left in 1934, Erich F. Schmidt took charge. He continued the large-scale excavations of the Persepolis complex and its environs until the end of 1939, when the onset of the war in Europe put an end to his archaeological work in Iran. During the last years of excavating, the University Museum in Philadelphia and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston had joined the Oriental Institute in order to cope with the tremendous work at hand. Schmidt's expedition staff, though varying from year to year, consisted mainly of his assistant Donald E. McCown, architect John S. Bolles and assistant Elliot F. Noyes (both later replaced in 1937 by Richard C. Haines), photographer Boris Dubensky, and various draftsmen, recorders, mechanics, and the like. The digging crew, recruited from villagers, fluctuated from 200 to 500 men. Elaborating on this, Schmidt wrote that at the beginning of each season about 20 to 30 laborers arrived from Damghan, old-time workers, honest peasants and trusted hands, who were trained for the delicate job of excavating. They, in turn, recruited the bulk of the digging crew. Palace Complex: Structures, Reliefs, and Inscriptions This section deals mainly with the architecture of the palace complex, and its buildings and embellishing reliefs. These date entirely from the Achaemenian period (518-331/30 B.C.) except for a few remnants of post-Achaemenid structures. An inscription carved on the southern face of the Terrace proves that Darius the Great was the founder of Persepolis. Work was started about 518 B.C., although the tremendous task was not completed until about 100 years later by Artaxerxes I. Before any of the buildings could be erected, considerable work had to be done. This mainly involved cutting into an irregular and rocky mountainside in order to shape and raise the large platform and to fill the gaps and depressions with rubble. According to tablets inscribed in Old Persian and Elamite found at Persepolis, it seems that Darius planned this impressive complex of palaces not only as the seat of government but also, and primarily, as a show place and a spectacular center for the receptions and festivals of the Achaemenian kings and their empire. Darius lived long enough to see only a small part of his plans executed. His brilliant and grandiose ideas were taken up and followed by his son and successor Xerxes, who, according to an excavated foundation inscription, said: "When my father Darius went (away from) the throne, I by the grace of Ahuramazda became king on my father's throne. After I became king . . . what had been done by my father, that I also (did), and other works I added." Actually, the Persepolis we know is mostly the work of Xerxes. In dealing with the Persepolis platform, we have to understand that the northern part of the Terrace, consisting mainly of the Audience Hall of the Apadana, the Throne Hall, and the Gate of Xerxes, represented the official section of the Persepolis complex, accessible to a restricted public. The other part held the Palaces of Darius and Xerxes, the Harem, the Council Hall, and such. Following is a brief enumeration of the buildings, and their most outstanding features, that constitute the Terrace complex. The Apadana By far the largest and most magnificent building is the Apadana, begun by Darius and finished by Xerxes, that was used mainly for great receptions by the kings. Thirteen of its seventy-two columns still stand on the enormous platform to which two monumental stairways, on the north and on the east, give access. They are adorned with rows of beautifully executed reliefs showing scenes from the New Year's festival and processions of representatives of twenty-three subject nations of the Achaemenid Empire, with court notables and Persians and Medes, followed by soldiers and guards, their horses, and royal chariots. Delegates in their native attire, some completely Persian in style, carry gifts as token of their loyalty and as tribute to the king. These gifts include silver and gold vessels and vases, weapons, woven fabrics, jewelry, and animals from the delegates' own countries. Although the overall arrangement of scenes seems repetitive, there are marked differences in the designs of garments, headdresses, hair styles, and beards that give each delegation its own distinctive character and make its origin unmistakable. Another means by which the design achieves diversity is by separating various groups or activities with stylized trees or by using these trees alone to form ornamental bands. There is also an intentional usage of patterns and rhythms that, by repeating figures and groups, conveys a grandiose ornamental impression. The Throne Hall Next to the Apadana, the second largest building of the Persepolis Terrace is the Throne Hall (also called the "Hundred-Column Hall"), which was started by Xerxes and completed by his son Artaxerxes I (end of the fifth century B.C.). Its eight stone doorways are decorated on the south and north with reliefs of throne scenes and on the east and west with scenes depicting the king in combat with monsters. In addition, the northern portico of the building is flanked by two colossal stone bulls. In the beginning of Xerxes' reign the Throne Hall was used mainly for receptions for representatives of all the subject nations of the empire. Later, when the Treasury proved to be too small, the Throne Hall also served as a storehouse and, above all, as a place to display more adequately objects, both tribute and booty, from the royal treasury. Concerning this, Schmidt wrote of the striking parallel in a modern example of a combined throne hall and palace museum where the Shah of Iran stores and exhibits the royal treasures in rooms and galleries adjoining his throne hall in the Gulistan Palace at Teheran. The Treasury Adjacent to the Throne Hall is the Treasury, part of which served as an armory and especially as a royal storehouse of the Achaemenian kings. The tremendous wealth stored here came from the booty of conquered nations and from the annual tribute sent by the peoples of the empire to the king on the occasion of the New Year's feast. Before the Throne Hall was finished, the most spacious room of the Treasury was used as a Court of Reception. Two large stone relieves were discovered here that attested to its function. These depict Darius I, seated on his throne, being approached by a high dignitary whose hand is raised to his mouth in a gesture of respectful greeting. Behind the king stands Crown Prince Xerxes, followed by court officials. The Palace of Darius Twelve columns supported the roof of the central hall from which three small stairways descend. Relieves on these stairways depict servants coming up the steps carrying animals and food in covered dishes to be served at the king's tables. On the eastern and western doorjambs are relieves showing the king in formal dress leaving the palace, followed by two attendants; relieves on the northern and southern doorways depict the king in combat with monsters. The Palace of Xerxes Xerxes' Palace, almost twice as large as that of Darius, shows very similar decorative features on its stone doorframes and windows, except for two large Xerxes inscriptions on the eastern and western doorways. Instead of showing the king's combat with monsters, these doorways depict servants with ibexes. Unfortunately, all the relieves in this palace are far less well preserved than those of the Palace of Darius. The Council Hall Access to the royal apartments was by means of a beautiful stairway which led to three entrances. Two were for official purposes; the third was a secret doorway which led into the Harem The Gate of Xerxes or "The Gate of The Nations" To the north of the Apadana stands the impressive Gate of Xerxes, from which a broad stairway descends. Xerxes, who built this structure, named it "The Gate of The Nations, " for all visitors had to pass through this, the only entrance to the terrace, on their way to the Throne Hall to pay homage to the king. The building consisted of one spacious room whose roof was supported by four stone columns with bell-shaped bases. Parallel to the inner walls of this room ran a stone bench, interrupted at the doorways. The exterior walls of the structure, made of thick mud brick, were decorated with numerous niches. Each of the three walls, on the east, west, and south, had a very large stone doorway. A pair of colossal bulls guarded the western entrance; two assyrianized man-bulls stood at the eastern doorway. Engraved above each of the four colossi is a trilingual inscription attesting to Xerxes having built and completed the gate. The doorway on the south, opening toward the Apadana, is the widest of the three. Pivoting devices found on the inner corners of all the doors indicate that they must have had two-leaved doors, which were probably made of wood and covered with sheets of ornamented metal. The Harem of Xerxes The Harem, where the royal ladies lived, was constructed in an L-shaped form. The main wing was oriented north-south; the west wing extended westward from the southern portion of the main wing. The nucleus of the main wing was a large centrally placed columned hall with a portico facing a spacious courtyard on the north. The hall had four doorways whose jambs were decorated with reliefs. On the jambs of the southern doorway Xerxes is depicted entering the hall. He is followed by two attendants; one is carrying a fly whisk and the other is holding a parasol over the king's head. On the jamb of the eastern doorway there is a relief showing Xerxes fighting a lion-headed monster. The reliefs on the western doorway show the king in combat with a lion. The queen's quarters are not definitely known, but this impressive central section was probably reserved for her and her retinue. South of the columned hall, the main wing contained six apartments arranged in two rows. Each apartment consisted of a large pillared room and one or sometimes two smaller rooms. The west wing contained sixteen additional apartments, similarly laid out. In addition to the access from the Council Hall to the northern part of the main wing of the Harem, two stairways connected the west wing with the Palace of Xerxes. There were also two exits to courtyards or enclosed gardens. A third exit at the eastern end of the western wing may have led to an open area or perhaps to an enclosed area whose limits have been destroyed. The main wing of the Harem was excavated and restored by Herzfeld. A large part of the building, besides serving as living quarters for the expedition staff, was converted into workrooms, where the cleaning, labeling, and restoring of objects were undertaken. Finally, the front of the Harem was restored and made into a museum to display some of the objects found at Persepolis. Miscellaneous Structures at Persepolis Near the southeast corner of the Terrace, at the foot of the mountain, were buildings of modest size and insubstantial structure, whose contents indicate that they were quarters for members of the garrison and perhaps for artisans (red). Immediately to the east was a square mudbrick tower, one of a row of towers linked by a 10-meter thick wall that ran along the east edge of the terrace at the foot of the Kuh-i Rahmat and joined the towered defensive wall that ran from the corners of the Terrace up the slope and along the crest of the Kuh-i Rahmat. The southwestern corner of the Terrace, west of the palace of Xerxes, may once have been the site of a palace of Artaxerxes I, but the standing remains found there belonged a residential structure called Palace H (green), cobbled together by an unknown post-Achaemenid builder from reused pieces of building material and ornament brought from older strutures on the Terrace. The standing remains of Palace G (cyan), north of the Palace of Xerxes, were also from a post-Achaemenid construction on the site of a destroyed older building, perhaps a palace of Artaxerxes III. To the east of the Palace of Xerxes were scraps of Palace D (yellow), probably the substructure of another building that incorporated debris from Achaemenid buildings. Other post-Achaemenid remains included burials in clay coffins were near the spring about 1 km north of the terrace, in a recess at the foot of the mountain. Contents of the Treasury and Other Discoveries What early historians wrote about the wealth of Persepolis certainly was not exaggerated. Thus we learn from the reports of the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus that Persepolis was the wealthiest city under the sun and her houses were full of gold and silver and all sorts of riches. On the basis of his and others' accounts, one would have expected the Oriental Institute's expeditions to find an enormous yield of objects. Unfortunately, Alexander and his army did a very thorough job of looting and burning Persepolis in 331/30 B.C. What the Oriental Institute recovered were objects either overlooked or dropped accidentally by the Macedonians. By far the largest number of finds were from the royal storehouse in the Treasury. Additional objects-far fewer-came from other buildings of the Terrace. Many of these finds were pieces of booty from wars with foreign nations, such as Greece, Egypt, and India, or tokens of tribute from the subject nations of the empire. Some native objects clearly show foreign cultural influences. We know from excavated tablets that Darius I had called to his court many foreign artists and workers whose skill and inspiration were utilized, but never copied, by the Persians. Cuneiform Tablets Uncovered in the debris of the Treasury were hundreds of clay tablets with inscriptions in Elamite cuneiform. These tablets, originally sundried, were baked in the heat of the immense fire that destroyed the building, so that many were found intact instead of having crumbled to dust long ago. These tablets, written for the most part in Old Persian and its corresponding translations of Elamite and Babylonian, were of great value to the excavators. We learn from them of the presence in Persepolis of skilled workmen from many parts of the empire, of stone-relief and inscription workers from Egypt, goldsmiths from Caria, and ornament makers from Susa. Some tablets also mention the month and year of the reign of either Darius or Xerxes when a particular work was executed and the amount of compensation-either in kind or in money-the workers received. Other tablets bear records of sales, of land deals, of taxes to be paid, or of the amount of money borrowed from the treasury. Finally, some tablets give instructions about how much haoma, the sacred intoxicating drink, could or should be used at a cult service. Seals and Seal Impressions The chronology of the Persepolis finds was traceable largely through the inscriptions on seals, wall pegs, and foundation slabs, that were discovered. Each usually bore the name of the Achaemenid ruler of its time. Cylinder seals, generally made of stone, often depict, among other subjects, martial or hunting scenes, rituals and offerings, or fights between animals. The royal seals of Darius and Xerxes always depict a king victorious in his fight with ferocious animals or monsters, a scene also depicted in the royal relieves. Miscellaneous Finds Fragments of vessels, whose inscriptions indicate that they were used at the king's table, were also found in the debris. Other finds were ritual objects, mortars and pestels, weights, and tools. Finally, hundreds of pieces of martial equipment were found in the Treasury and in the garrison quarters, e. g., arrowheads, scabbard tips, and bridle ornaments. Since Alexander's men were so thorough in destroying and looting Persepolis, only a few pieces of jewelry, several gold and silver coins, and some silver buttons were found; not one vessel of precious metal was recovered. However, several alabaster bowls and bottles were excavated, some with inscriptions and dates that prove them to be tribute sent to Persepolis from Egypt during the reigns of Darius and Xerxes. Other vessels were made of a bluish-green artificial compound of copper-calcium-tetrasilicate known as "Egyptian blue." These were a much-valued import from Egypt, where the secret of manufacturing this paste had been known since the Fourth Dynasty. The Royal Tombs and Other Monuments About 4.8 kilometers northwest of Persepolis lies the imposing site of Naqsh-i-Rustam in the mountain range of Husain Kuh, where Darius the Great and his successors had their monumental tombs carved into the cliff. Here in 1933 Herzfeld conducted a short survey and made soundings, but it was not until 1936 that Schmidt started to clear and document the royal tombs and to excavate the Ka'bah-i-Zardusht. Although Naqsh-i-Rustam had long been a sacred area (as the remains of a Pre-Achaemenid relief show), Darius the Great was the first to choose it as a burial place. His successors not only imitated his idea of a cliff tomb but also copied the layout of the tomb itself. The dramatic facade of the tomb is constructed like a cross. An entrance leads into the tomb chamber, cut deep into the rock. In the panel above this facade is a relief depicting the king standing on a three-stepped pedestal in front of an altar. His hand is raised in a gesture of worship. Above him floats the winged disk of Ahuramazda, god of the Zoroastrian religion. This scene is supported by throne bearers representing the twenty-eight nations of the empire. On the side panels are the king's weapon bearers and the Persian guards. The trilingual cuneiform inscriptions on three panels of the rock wall either enumerate the twenty-eight nations upholding the throne or glorify the king and his rule. Some traces of pigment found on the facade of the royal tombs suggest that all or most of the stone reliefs had been painted. Only the tomb of Darius I can be identified beyond doubt by inscriptions. The three other tombs at Naqsh-i Rustam are attributed to his immediate successors, Xerxes, Artaxerxes I, and Darius II. Other royal tombs of similar form, thought to be those of the later Achaemenids, were built at Persepolis itself, cut into the rock face of the Kuh-i Rahmat, overlooking the Terrace. The two complete tombs are assigned to Artaxerxes II and Artaxerxes III; an incomplete tomb was perhaps meant for the last Achaemenid king, Darius III. About 2 km south of Naqsh-i Rustam, on the south bank of the river Pulvar, are the remains of an unfinished freestanding structure, perhaps the base of a tomb intended for Cambyses II, modeled on the imposing tomb of his father, Cyrus the Great, at Pasargadae, up the Pulvar 43 km northeast of Persepolis. ::::::::::Qom, the Religious Capital of Iran Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Qom province is located in the central part of Iran. Due to uneven land and different altitude from 600 meters to 3330 meters above the sea level, has three different weather conditions of mountainous, semi-dry and dry .The important attractions of this province include: Salt Lake, Hoz-e-Soltan Lake, South Desert, Salt Hills, Mountains and Beautiful Gardens of the west and south west. The people of this province are Fars and speak in Persian. People in the past were mostly involved in husbandry and handicraft activities, since the land of this province is barren with tough, hot summers. Carpet weaving, Carpentry and inlay works are among the common handicraft activities. Nowadays Iranians associate Qom with a religious city and economy is based on religious tourism. Arceologists believe that civilization of this region dates back to the new Stone Age and many articles found in Ghomrood area confirms it. The plains and the hills to the south west have been among the most important places where Arian tribes used to live. In this province castles, residential areas and graveyards belonging to the Arian tribes have been found. Qom was also an important part of Iran specially during the Sasanid dynasty as many temples, tower, castles, bridges and caravansaries of this era have been discovered. After Iranian adopted Islam, Qom flourised into an important city as one of the great grandchildren of prophet Mohammad living in 8th century A.D is buried there ,therefore little by little Qom was changed into the spiritual capital of Iran. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: office of cultural heritage of iran :::::::::Sareyn Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see sareyn sareyn Sina Yavarian Situated 29 kms west of Ardebil, this town is an important centre of mineral water. The nine hot and mineral springs with medicinal qualities and the centre of hydrotherapy are significant tourist attractions. Facilities for recreation and accommodation are thriving, so that in the near future Sar'eyn will be one of the largest leisure centres in Iran. :::::::::Sari Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The city of Sari is the capital of province mazandaran, in the northern side of iran,which is located behind the alborz mountains and is all green area, which as you can go along the beach, you will notice it gets divided into little secure private town townships, which each have different rating from medium to very posh towns (shahrak). ::::::Shiraz Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Shahe Cheragh Shahe Cheragh Shiraz is the capital of Fars province, one of the most beautiful, historical cities in the world. Farsi (Persian or Parsi) the language of Ancient Fars (Pars), has become the official language of Iran (Persia). Shiraz with more than 850,000 inhabitants situated in southwestern Iran, in the inland around 200 km from the Persian Gulf, at an elevation of 1,800 metres above sea level. Different people have lived in the Fars province such as the Aryans, the Samis and the Turks, who worked together to form the Iranian culture. The first Capital of Fars, some 2500 years ago, was Pasargad. It was also the capital of Achaemenid King Cyrus the Great The ceremonial capital of his successor, Darius I (or Darius the Great), and his son Xerxes, was Persepolis Today, only the ruins of these two capitals remain. Stakhr was another capital of Fars. It was established by the Sassanids and lasted until Shiraz finally assumed the role of the regional capital. Shiraz is also the birthplace and resting place of the great Persian poets Hafez and Saadi There are two remarkable monuments in Shiraz. One is dedicated to Hafez, the master of Persian lyrical poetry. The other one is dedicated to Sa'adi, the author of the famous Golestan, a book of sonnets called the Garden of Roses. According to Islamic historians, Shiraz came into existence only after the Arab conquest of Iran. The Arab invasion, in fact, contributed to its importance and by the 13th century, Shiraz had grown into one the largest and most popular Islamic cities of the era. Shiraz lies spread out like an immense garden on a green plain at the foot of the Tang Allah-o-Akbar Mountains. The most interesting buildings in Shiraz are located in the old part of the town. Among them are about a dozen mosques, some with bulb- shaped domes, and others with pear shaped domes and cupolas. These mosques are mostly scattered in among the old houses. The Masjid-e-Vakil (the Regent Mosque) has an impressive portal containing faience panels in floral designs with various shades and colors on each side. The northern iwan (verandah) is decorated with shrubs and flowers, mainly rose bushes. The ceiling in Mihrab Chamber (altar) is covered with small cupolas resting on twisted columns. Vakil Bazaar, which is close by, was built by Karim Khan Zand. Here silversmiths and jewelers still apply their trades of exquisite inlay work. Persian carpets and other traditional Persian handicrafts may also be purchased in the Vakil Bazaar. About 50 km. Northwest of Shiraz, at the foot of the rahmat Mountains, one encounters the vast platform and remains of Persepolis, the grand ceremonial Capital built by Darius I (Darius the Great) and his successors some 2500 years ago. Archeologists are still combing through the debris and ashes that have covered Persepolis since Alexander the Great destroyed it in 330 BC. Most of the structures have already been revealed Pasargad is located about 77 km away from Persepolis. It was built by Cyrus the Great. Among the interesting sites at Pasargad is a stone platform 80 m. long and 18 m. wide. It is believed to have been the foundation of a palace. Close by are the ruins of a building called the Prison of Solomon which was probably a fire temple. The most important monument in Pasargad is undoubtedly the tomb of Cyrus the Great. It has seven broad steps leading to the sepulcher, which measures 534m. in length by 531m in width and has a low and narrow entrance. When Alexander the Great looted and destroyed Persepolis, he paid a visit to the tomb of Cyrus. It is recorded that he commanded Aristobulus, one of his warriors, to enter the monument. Inside he found a golden bed, a table set with drinking vessels, a gold coffin, some ornaments studded with precious stones and an inscription of the tomb, which reads: "Passer-by, I am Cyrus the Great, I have given the Persians an empire and I have ruled over Asia. So do not envy me for this tomb." :::::::::Shush Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see dezpul-city of ancient dezpul-city of ancient Shush is the modern name of Susa the capital of the kingdom of Elam. Located in southwestern Iran today it is mainly interesting for people with a knack for arhceology. Serious excavations started in the 1850'ies, Susa has been under almost continuous excavation by French archaeologists since 1897. Although occupation levels date back to Neolithic times (4000 BC), the principal objects of interest at the site are four large mounds representing the citadel, the palace of Darius I (521–486 BC), and two sections of the ancient city. Significant archaeological finds at Susa have included early painted pottery and seals, proto-Elamite writing, an extensive Parthian cemetery, the Victory Stele of Naram-Sin, and the famous law code (law-codex) of Hammurabi (1780 BC) ::::::::::Tabriz Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Blue Mosque & khagani garden Blue Mosque & khagani garden Bahram - Tondran Ark-e Tabriz (Citadel of Tabriz) is the capital of one of the most famous provinces of Iran, The Azarbaijan or Aturpatgan. It is the land of Azargoshnasp temple; The fire temple of the Kings and the Nobles of Iran. It is perhaps the birth place of Zaratushtra. Tabriz, Being the provincial capital of East Azarbaijan ( Aturpatgan ), has slightly more than 1,700,000 population and was the second largest city in Iran until the early 1970's. Tabriz has been the capital city of Iran on numerous times throughout the old history of this country. Tabriz is located in a valley to the north of the beautiful Mount Sahand. The valley opens out into a plain that slopes down gently to the northern end of Lake Orumieh, about 60 km to the west. Tabriz is 310 km southeast of Bazargan (Iranian-Turkish frontier); 159 km south of Jolfa on Iran- Aran (Azarbaijan Republic) border, and can be reached by very good roads, rail (742km from Tehran , with connections to the Europe and Moscow), and air from Tehran and other major cities. :::::::::.Tehran Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Tehran-Milad Tower-Under Construction 2006 Tehran-Milad Tower-Under Construction 2006 M.R Tehran, with a population of around 14 million, is the biggest city in Iran and one of the largest cities in the Middle East, comparable in size with London and New York. The city is very lively in days, and the population is very young. There are many quality museums to visit and plentiful of good restaurants to dine in. People are very friendly especially towards foreigners, and the majority of the young generation have a good command of English. The best feature of the city is the magnificent Alborz mountain range on the northern side, covered with snow usually from November to May. The worst feature of the city is air pollution due to bad traffic jam and old and unefficient motor vehicles. If you're planning to stay for more than a few days, do not use your soft contact lenses, there is the possibility of eye infection. The air pollution becomes severe during very hot (July-August) or very cold (January-February) months. There are 4 distinct seasons in the city, with plenty of rain in early spring and autumn, and good snow in winters. The architecture of the city is not particularly attractive, especially comparing to other Iranian cities such as Esfahan, Shiraz and Yazd. Tehran has over grown in the past decades due to mass immigration from rural areas. Most of the city has a very mid-60's industrialised look and feel. Only very little examples of the classical architecture of the city is still visible today, of which the Grand Bazaar and Golestan Palace and surrounding area are the best examples. The northern part of the city is the posh part, with bigger houses, villas and nice gardens. Driving in Tehran is extremely hectic, only hire a car if you are sure you will manage it! There are plenty of good parks in Tehran, especially in the northern and more posh parts of the city, including Jamshidiyeh, Mellat, and Gheytariyeh. Apart from restaurants, thousands of fast food shops could be found all over the city, but only buy from them after asking a local. One of the best things about Tehran is that it is easy to escape to the countryside. Towns such as Lavasan and Fasham located over the mountains with clear fresh air are less than an hour drive. Three major ski pistes, Shemshak, Dizin and Darbandsar are just two hours drive from the capital. There are hotels and challets that would accommodate tourists all the year. Tehran is very lively during day time. People socialise in cafés, parks, indoor and outdoor tea houses and restaurants. Unfortunately Tehran has got no night life as such, the city shuts down after midnight, although there is still traffic in major streets and motorways. The official and most popular language in Tehran is Persian (which is called Farsi or Parsi in Persian). Many people especially the younger ones are able to communicate in English. Iran has its own calendar system, the Iranian/Persian calendar system which is also called 'Jalali'. This is the calendar used in daily life and business. Iranians are familiar with the western calendar system, but it is not used except when doing business with the west. PLEASE, INTEGRATE THE TEXT BELOW WITH THE ARTICLE ABOVE --- Tehran Bozorg (Greater Tehran), the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran and center of Tehran Province as well. Tehran is one of the largest metropolitans of the world, and it is the country's largest economic center and the base for its large and small modern technological and industrial establishments. Located on the slopes of the mountains and at the foot of the magnificent Mount Damavand, it has been the country's capital city for over 200 years now. Nearly 14 Million people live in Tehran in contrast to two hundred thousand in 1920. The first mention of Tehran in an old geographical text is made in the 10th century Massalek-al Mamalek (The Ways of States) by Estakhri. It was just a village before the Safavid era. By the Mongols' invasion and the consequent severe devastation the city of Rey received, most of the Rey's people took refuge to this village. This was a starting point for growth of Tehran, and gradually this village that was famous for its fine fruits and beautiful gardens, underwent new developments. Shah Tahmasb, one of the Safavid kings, chose Tehran as administrative center for the Safavid dinastry, which resulted in constructing many big governmental buildings, castles and gates. At the time of the Zand dynasty, it was a small town that was significant from a military point of view. The first of the Qajar kings, Agha Mohammed Khan, named Tehran as the country's capital in 1778. Nevertheless, the capital's development started at the time of another Qajar monarch, Fath-Ali Shah. The citadel, which Agha Mohammed Khan had built, was developed to include the new royal buildings. At the same time, the city's population was redoubled. With the increasing importance of the city, soon gates, squares and mosques were built and it was at the time of Nassereddin Shah that the city's master plan was prepared and modern streets were formed. Later, large central squares like Toopkhaneh (now Imam Khomeini) square and several military buildings were constructed. With the decline of the Qajar dynasty, Tehran soon took the shape of a modern city. The construction of large government buildings, new streets, recreation centers, urban service establishments, and academic and scientific centers were started, while most of the old gates and buildings were destroyed and the city's old architectural fabric replaced by a modern one. A view of Tehran with Alborz mountains on the back With an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level, Tehran is a city of all four seasons with hot summers, freezing winters, and brief springs and autumns. The highest recorded summer temperature in Tehran has been 42 degrees centigrade while the lowest has been registered at 8 degrees below zero. Tehran is pleasant, it derives its originality from its dry climate, always cool in the evening, the nearness of the mountains, its numerous parks and gardens where flowers blossom throughout the year, the alleys of trees in the avenues or even smaller streets, the water which runs down from the upper city along deep and wide gutters which look like small rivers during spring. Dams of Karaj, Latian and Lar supply Tehran's drinking water and parts of the country's electrical power. These dam-lakes and river-sides provide also valuable tourism sites for visiting and enjoying walking and viewing beautiful natural sites as well as practicing various kinds of sports, including water sports. There are dozen of small coffee-houses with zinc roofs nestle among the bushes. Mountain streams run among the tables. But everyone does not sit around a table; many of the customers prefer the ancient-style comfort of low divans covered with old carpets. Delicious "kababs" are consumed, and hot teas are served from "Samawar". Golestan Palace, Qajar era The Alborz range on the north of Tehran, which host the highest peak in the country during winter provides a very suitable climate for ski lovers. In winter, the mountain hotels and ski-clubs at Shemshak, Shahrestanak and Dizine are full several days a week. Some expert skiers consider the snow quality in northern Tehran to be one of the best in the world. The highest peak in the country, Mount Damavand (5,678 m), which is an extinct volcano covered in snow for most of the year with its visibility from Tehran has an attractive appeal for adventurers and climbers. The Golestan (Rose Garden) Palace is one of most visited places in Tehran, which was the Qajars' royal residence. Its garden is an oasis of coolness and silence in the heart of the city. The main building, architecturally unpretentious, houses a museum with objects from the Qajar period in the overloaded and pompous style of last century. In the Golestan garden, a one-story pavilion to the right and slightly behind the entrance, shelters one of the best organized museums in Tehran. It contains about thirty showcases presenting everything, which makes up the basic originality of Iranian life in the various provinces of the country :::::::::::: Tuz Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Tus is a small city located in north-east Iran, not too far from Mashhad. It can be seen on a daytrip from there. The main sight is the tomb of the poet Firdowsi, one of the greatest Persian poets of all time and revered up to this day. ::::::Yazd Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Jam Mosque Jam Mosque Ehsan Pahloosai from Shiraz - Iran Yazd is a pretty old town and has always played a major role in Persia's long long history. Surprisingly enough, Yazd never made it to capital of an empire during all those centuries. However there are enough historical monuments for any travelers taste. The tomb of Sayyid Rukn ad-Din dates form the 14-th century. The Time and Hour (Vaqt-u-Saat) Mosque is all that remains of a complex erected to his orders known as the Institute of Time and the Hour whose mechanical devices made it one of the wonders of the age. The Friday Mosque is one of the major sights. Crowned by the highest minarets of all mosques in Persia, the protal's facade is decorated from top to bottom in dazzling tilework, predominantly blue in color. Within there is a long arcaded court where, behind a deep-set south-east Ivan, is a sanctuary chamber. This chamber, under a squat tiled dome, is exquisited decorated with faience mosaic: its tall faience Mihrab, dated 1365, is one of the finest of its kind in existence. The Mosque was largely rebuilt between 1324 and 1365, and is one of the outstanding 14th century buildings in Persia. The tilework has recently been skilfully restored and a modern library built to house the mosque's valuable collection of books and manuscripts. Iran Cerchi Iran? Visita il Blog con pagine dedicate! viaggi. excite. it/ Iran The Bazaar is great for shopping, but the entrance is a an attraction in its own right. The twin minarets rival those of the Jami' Mosque, while the entire facade is decorated with glazed titles and plaster stalactite vaulting. The wooden framework is decorated and carried during the procession for the mourning for Imam Husayn. The "Fire Temple" is one of the most important remaining temples of the Zorroastrians a religion older than Christianity or Islam. The initiated meet there, but nobody apart form the Grand Priest, a descendant of the Magi, reciting the Avesta, has access to the Saint of Saints where for th past 3000 years a fire burns in a brazen vessel. The fire itself is a representation of what is good. The "Towers of Silence" are used by the Zoroastrians as part of their burial ceremony. They overlook an impressive desert and mountain landscape. A special attraction of Yazd are the windtowers. Yazd can get very very hot in the summer and in earlier days when there was no such thing as aircon they had windtowers: high chimenys acting as air-vents bring some comfort to these dwellings. PLEASE INTEGRATE THE TEXT BELOW WITH THE ARTICLE ABOVE Houses of Yazd T he city of Yazd’s first mention in historic records predate it back to around 3000 years B.C. when it was related to by the name of Ysatis, and was then part of the domain of Medes, an ancient settler of Iran. In the course of history due to its distance from important capitals and its harsh natural surrounding, Yazd remained immune to major troops' movements and destruction from wars, therefore it kept many of its traditions, city forms and architecture until recent times. During the invasion of Genghis Khan in the early 1200’s A.D. Yazd became a safe haven and home for many artists, intellectuals and scientists fleeing their war ravaged cities around Persia. Yazd was visited by Marco Polo in 1272, who described it as a good and noble city and remarked its silk production. Isolated from any approach by a huge tract of monotonous desert, the vibrancy of Yard is invariably a surprise. Wind Towers of Yazd Although more often described as the entrance to a now non-existent bazaar, the chief function of this building known as a Tekyeh, and the square before it, was to host the Taiiyeh, a cycle of passion plays commemorating the martyrdom of the third Imam, Hossein, which take place once a year during the mourning month of Moharram. The site dates from the fifteenth century arid the efforts of its eponymous builder, Amir Jalal Al-Din Chakhmagh, governor of Yard. However, what remains to be seen today is this nineteenth century tiled portal, built as a grandstand from which the plays could be watched. For a brief period, Yazd was the capital of Atabakan and Mozaffarid dynasties (14th Century A.D.). During Qajar Dynasty (18th Century A.D.) it was ruled by the Bakhtiari Khans. The city of Yazd is located in the eastern part of central Iran situated on the high, desert plateau that forms much of the country. Amidst the immense desert, Yazd retains its sterling of old in religion, traditions and architecture. Recognized by UNESCO as holding one of the oldest architecture all over the world. Masjed-e Jame (Jame Mosque, 14th century) The word Yazd means, feast and worship, The city of Yazd has resisted the modern urbasisation changes and maintained its traditional structure. The geographical features of this region have made people developed special architectural styles. For this reason, in the older part of the city most houses are built of mud-bricks and have domed roofs. These materials served as insulation preventing heat from passing through. The existence of special ventilation structures, called Badgirs, on the roofs is a distinctive feature of the architecture of this city (A Badgir is a high structure on the roof under which, in the interior of the building, there is a small pool). Therefore, Yazd has presented its stable identity at the foothills of the 4000 meter Shir Kooh. The Jame Mosque (Friday Mosque) crowned by a pair of minarets, the highest in Persia, the portal's facade is decorated from top to bottom in dazzling tile work, predominantly blue in colour. Within there is a long arcaded court where, behind a deep-set south-east Ivan, is a sanctuary chamber. This chamber, under a squat tiled dome, is exquisitely decorated with faience mosaic: its tall faience Mihrab, dated 1365, is one of the finest of its kind in existence. The Mosque was largely rebuilt between 1324 and 1365, and is one of the outstanding 14th century buildings in Persia. The tile work has recently been skilfully restored and a modern library built to house the mosque's valuable collection of books and manuscripts. Zoroastrians have always been populous in Yazd. Even now roughly ten percent of the town's population adhere to this ancient religion, and though their Atashkadeh (Fire Temple) was turned into a mosque when Arabs invaded Iran, a dignified new fire temple was inaugurated thirteen hundred years later. Atashkadeh (Fire Temple) This Atashkadeh (Fire Temple) intitates meet there, but nobody apart form the Moubad (Grand Priest), a descendant of the Magi, reciting the Avesta, has access to the Moubad-e Moubadan (Saint of Saints) where for the past 3000 years a fire burns in a brazen vessel. The fire itself is a representation of what is good. Being located beside the central mountains, far from the sea, adjacent to the kavir and in the shadow rainy region, Yazd has a climate which mostly resembles dry desertic climate. Little rain along with high water evaporation, relatively low dampness, heat and great temperature changes are among the factors making this province, one of the driest parts of Iran. The only moderating climatic factor is height and so, there is a pleasant climate dominant in Shirkuh heights. :::::::Zandjan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see lovely house lovely house sima Zanjan is a central city of Zanjan province in northwest of iran with about 400,000 population and about 100 km2 area. :::::::dorche Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see dorche is an small city near esfahn.zayande-rood river past trough this city and there are many beutifull natural place and park in it. ::::::parsabademoghan Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see moghan vary good city . muost see peple mogan very very good. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: www.masodmogan.persianblog.ir :::::::qom Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Qom, the Religious Capital of Iran Qom province is located in the central part of Iran. Due to uneven land and different altitude from 600 meters to 3330 meters above the sea level, has three different weather conditions of mountainous, semi-dry and dry .The important attractions of this province include: Salt Lake, Hoz-e-Soltan Lake, South Desert, Salt Hills, Mountains and Beautiful Gardens of the west and south west. The people of this province are Fars and speak in Persian. People in the past were mostly involved in husbandry and handicraft activities, since the land of this province is barren with tough, hot summers. Carpet weaving, Carpentry and inlay works are among the common handicraft activities. Nowadays Iranians associate Qom with a religious city and economy is based on religious tourism. Arceologists believe that civilization of this region dates back to the new Stone Age and many articles found in Ghomrood area confirms it. The plains and the hills to the south west have been among the most important places where Arian tribes used to live. In this province castles, residential areas and graveyards belonging to the Arian tribes have been found. Qom was also an important part of Iran specially during the Sasanid dynasty as many temples, tower, castles, bridges and caravansaries of this era have been discovered. After Iranian adopted Islam, Qom flourised into an important city as one of the great grandchildren of prophet Mohammad living in 8th century A.D is buried there ,therefore little by little Qom was changed into the spiritual capital of Iran. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: cultural heritage and tourism organization of qom |
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Questo articolo è rilasciato sotto i termini della
GNU Free Documentation License Esso utilizza materiale tratto da http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran Estratto da "http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran" Cronologia: http://it.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Iran&action=history IranDa Wikipedia, l'enciclopedia libera.
La Repubblica Islamica dell'Iran è un paese mediorientale, situato nel sud-ovest asiatico. Un tempo noto come Persia, l'Iran confina a Ovest con la Turchia e l'Iraq; a Nord con il Turkmenistan, l'Azerbaijan e l'Armenia, oltre al Mar Caspio; a Est con il Pakistan e l'Afghanistan, mentre a Sud è delimitata dal Golfo Persico e dal Golfo dell'Oman.
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Storia(per il periodo storico precedente alla proclamazione del nuovo stato, vedere Persia) Si può far iniziare la storia dell'Iran dal 1925, quando un semplice ufficiale, Reza Khan, a capo della cosiddetta Brigata Cosacca inizialmente istruita da elementi sovietici, prende il potere e detronizza l'ultimo sovrano qajar, istituendo una nuova dinastia imperiale che egli chiamerà "pahlavide". Il nuovo shahanshah accelera il processo di occidentalizzazione del paese, con grande disappunto dei religiosi, e rinomina ufficialmente il Paese "Iran", un'espressione antica, ostentatamente pre-islamica, che ha un'accezione molto più ampia della classica denominazione Persia (arabo Fārs). Durante la
Seconda Guerra Mondiale il nord del Paese subisce l'occupazione dei
Sovietici,
mentre al sud si stabiliscono i
Britannici e gli
Statunitensi, che obbligano l'Iran a dichiarare guerra alla
Germania.
Scontenti della scarsa propensione dello
Scià verso le
loro politiche, Statunitensi e Britannici lo costringono ad abdicare in favore
del figlio
Mohamed Reza. Da quel momento il Paese entra nel novero degli Stati filo-occidentali
e si afferma, anche grazie all'efficiente organizzazione militare, come la
principale potenza del
Golfo Persico. Alla guida dell'Iran sale al potere con la Rivoluzione islamica l'ayatollah Ruhollāh Mosavi Khomeini, massimo esponente religioso della comunità sciita il quale, rotti i rapporti con gli USA, dichiara l'Iran Repubblica Islamica. Uno dei primi provvedimenti che il nuovo governo islamico prende è quello di chiudere le Università, per evitare che i giovani Iraniani si allontanino dal vero cammino dell'Islam. Il provvedimento resterà in vigore per 2 anni. In generale, comunque, le cose non cambiano di molto rispetto al regime dello Scià: i precedenti prigionieri politici, dopo pochi mesi, diventano nemici anche del nuovo governo, che dal 1980 al 1988, è costretto a fronteggiare l'attacco dell'Iraq: Saddam Hussein, approfittando della sensibile ostilità occidentale verso il regime khomeinista, cerca di sostituire a proprio esclusivo vantaggio l'Iran nel suo ruolo di "guardiano del Golfo Persico".
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La guerra contro l'Iraq
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Tempi recenti
Alla morte di Khomeini, avvenuta nel 1989, il suo ufficio di "Guida Suprema" della Rivoluzione Islamica viene assunto (su disposizione dello stesso Khomeini) dall'ayatollah Khamenei, che cerca di attenuare talune norme adottate dalla Repubblica Islamica e di riavvicinare persino, timidamente, il paese all'Occidente. Purtroppo tali sforzi si rivelano vani e ancor oggi (specie dopo l'elezione a Presidente della Repubblica di Mahmud Ahmadinejad) sembra che il paese resti lontano da posizioni accettabili per l'Occidente, alimentando il malcontento dei ceti più poveri e delle donne, che spesso hanno criticato il loro governo, con il conseguente esilio dei "ribelli". Inoltre, si registra una deriva estremistica della politica estera iraniana che, tramite il suo odierno Presidente, ha più volte sostenuto la necessità di 'eliminare' lo stato di israele. L'Iran si è già dotato da una ventina d'anni, ufficialmente a scopi civili,
di centrali nucleari con tecnologia principalmente fornita dalla
Russia e ha
scelto una politica energetica che non adotta il
petrolio
e il
gas come fonti primarie d'energia, nonostante sia uno dei maggiori
produttori mondiali di entrambi (il paese produce circa 3 mln di tonnellate di
greggio). Un'importante decisione di politica economica è il progetto di aprire per marzo 2006 una borsa nella quale gli operatori scambieranno per la prima volta partite di gas e petrolio in euro oltreché in dollari, sulla falsariga di quanto deciso nel 2000 dall'Iraq di Saddam Hussein.
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Geografia
Il territorio dell'Iran corrisponde alla parte occidentale dell'altopiano iranico, che continua nelle alte terre afghane e pakistane. Tra le catene montuose dell'altopiano si aprono ampi bacini più o meno depressi (deserti del Dasht-e-Kavir e del Dasht-e-Lut). Dall'Azerbaigian partono altri due sistemi montuosi: a Nord la catena dell'Elburz e a Sud, con sviluppo verso il Sud-Est, il sistema dello Zagros. I fiumi più lunghi sono tributari del bacino mesopotamico. Le regioni interne hanno clima arido con forti escursioni termiche; lungo le coste si hanno condizioni tropicali e subtropicali.
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PopolazioneLa popolazione appartiene al gruppo ario di ceppo indoeuropeo. A questo ceppo principale si devono aggiungere le minoranze dei Turkmeni, dei Curdi, degli Armeni, dei Beluci e degli Azeri. Le regioni desertiche orientali sono percorse da quasi 2 milioni di nomadi, principalmente allevatori: le maggiori concentrazioni si hanno a Nord dell'Elburz e lungo la costa del Caspio. Il tasso di crescita demografica è assai elevato: la popolazione, più che raddoppiata negli ultimi cent'anni, è molto giovane, con gravi problemi per l'istruzione (60% circa di analfabeti). Rilevante l'inurbamento (nella capitale oltre 6 milioni di abitanti). La lingua ufficiale è il persiano ( farsi ), la religione quella musulmana di indirizzo sciita. Circa il 4% della popolazione è costituito da musulmani sunniti, oltre a una minoranza di fede baha'i e alcuni zoroastriani, religioni entrambe nate in area iranica.
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EconomiaL'Iran, tra il 1960 e il 1977, ha conosciuto un processo di industrializzazione finanziato dai proventi del petrolio, non accompagnato, però, da un adeguato aumento delle infrastrutture e da un sufficiente sviluppo dell'agricoltura. A tutto questo vanno ad aggiungersi le tensioni politiche e religiose che hanno dato vita a vari moti di protesta, la guerra con l'Iraq e il crollo del prezzo del petrolio, accentuando le difficoltà della giovane nazione. Il 30% della popolazione vive ancora di agricoltura, praticata su un territorio coltivato solo per il 10%, coltivando soprattutto cereali, orzo, cotone, che viene esportato, tabacco, barbabietola e canna da zucchero. Diffuso l'allevamento bovino nelle zone di pascoli, ovino e caprino in quelle più aride. Accanto al petrolio, di cui l'Iran è uno dei principali produttori mondiali, le risorse minerarie annoverano gas naturale, ferro, rame, carbone;anche gli idrocarburi rappresentano una buon risorsa . Sono sorte alcune industrie nel settore petrolchimico in alcune città tra cui Teheran, in quello siderurgico a Isfahan e Bandar-Abbas e in quelli metallurgico e meccanico. Ai settori tessile e alimentare si sono aggiunte industrie per la produzione di beni di consumo. Notevoli sforzi sono stati compiuti durante la presidenza di Rafsanjani per tornare a un'economia di pace e modernizzare le strutture produttive, aprendo al mercato e ai capitali stranieri, ma la nuova linea di politica economica ha portato a una grave crisi nei primi anni Novanta, con pesanti costi sociali: rialzo dell'inflazione, difficoltà dell'industria nazionale e tutta una serie di problemi che hanno reso difficile la ripresa economica. A tutto ciò si aggiungono i problemi causati dall'ideologia religiosa che ha impedito la privatizzazione di alcuni settori dell'economia iraniana: la costituzione islamica, infatti, vieta gli investimenti stranieri.
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PoliticaDalla rivoluzione del 1979 la Guida Suprema è il rahbar o, in sua assenza, un consiglio di capi religiosi. Vengono scelti da un'assemblea di esponenti religiosi sulla base del loro curriculum e del grado di stima goduto presso la popolazione. La Guida Suprema nomina i sei membri religiosi del Consiglio dei Guardiani, composto da 12 membri, che ha il compito di approvare le candidature alla presidenza della Repubblica e certificare la loro competenza e quella del parlamento, al pari delle più alte cariche giudiziarie. Egli è inoltre comandante in capo delle forze armate. A capo dello Stato vi è il Presidente, eletto a maggioranza assoluta con suffragio universale. Il suo mandato ha durata quadriennale e vigila sul buon andamento del potere esecutivo. Dopo la sua elezione, il Presidente nomina e presiede il Consiglio dei Ministri, coordina le decisioni del governo e seleziona le decisioni governative da sottoporre al parlamento. Il parlamento iraniano, monocamerale, chiamato Assemblea Consultiva Islamica, è composto da 290 membri, eletti con voto diretto e segreto, anch'essi con mandato quadriennale. Tutta la legislazione deve essere vagliata, sin dal suo inizio, dal Consiglio dei Guardiani in base al principio della cosiddetta vilāet-e faqih, ossia la "tutela del giurisperito", per controllare che le leggi non siano in contrasto col Corano e la dottrina islamica, nell'accezione propria dello Sciismo duodecimano. I sei membri laici del Consiglio, giuristi nominati dal parlamento, si pronunciano solo sulla costituzionalità delle leggi, mentre i sei membri religiosi esaminano la loro conformità con i dettami islamici.
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ProvinceProvincie dell'Iran L'Iran si divide in 28 province (ostan-haa, singolare - ostan):
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Città
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Arte e CulturaCome detto, l'Iran attuale è l'antica Persia, che nei millenni passati ha contribuito alla civiltà umana nei vari campi della cultura letteraria e scientifica, istituzionale e religiosa. Per approfondire, quindi, i vari aspetti della cultura iraniana, si dovrà fare riferimento al lemma Persia, sottosezione Arte, a Islam e storia dell'Islam oltre che a La musica in Iran. Vedere, inoltre, la lista sugli Iraniani illustri.
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Bibliografia
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Voci correlate
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Collegamenti esterni
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