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Isfahan (city)

Isfahan (city)

Isfahan or Eşfahān (historically also rendered as Ispahan, Old Persian Aspadana, Middle Persian Spahān, Persian اصفهان), located about 340 km south of Tehran, is the capital of Isfahan Province and Iran (Persia)'s third largest city (after Tehran and Mashhad). Its population in 2000 was 2,040,000. Isfahan has been designated by UNESCO as a world heritage city. It contains a wide variety of Islamic Architectural sites ranging from the 11th century to the 19th. The fame of Isfahan was such that the Jazz musician Duke Ellington wrote a song with this name.

Geography

Duke Ellington The city is geographically located at , in the lush Zayandeh-Rud plain, at the foothills of the Zagros mountain range. The city enjoys a temperate climate and regular seasons. No obstacle exists as far as 90 km north of Isfahan and cool northern winds blow from this direction. Isfahan is located on the main north-south and east-west routes crossing Iran. It is situated at 1590 meters above sea level. It receives an average of 355 mm of rain per year, making it similar to Denver, Colorado in terms of altitude and precipitation. The temperature ranges between 2 and 28 degrees Celsius. The record high temperature was 42 degrees Celsius and the record low was −19 degrees Celsius. The southern and western approaches of Isfahan are mountainous and it is bordered northward and eastward by fertile plains. Thus, Isfahan's climate is varied and occasionally rainy, with a precipitation average varying between 100 and 150 mm. Isfahan was once one of the largest cities in the world. It flourished from 1050 to 1722, particularly in the 16th century under the Safavid dynasty, when it was the capital of Persia. Even today, the city retains much of its past glory. It is famous for its Islamic architecture, with many beautiful boulevards, covered bridges, palaces, mosques, and minarets. This led to the proverb Esfahān nesf-e jahan: "Esfahan is half of the world". Of all Iranian cities, Isfahan is perhaps the most popular for tourists.

History

Prehistory

History of Isfahan can be traced back to the Palaeolithic period. In recent Archaeological discoveries, archaeologist have found artifacts, dated back to Palaeolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, bronze and Iron ages. architecture

From Elamites to Arab Invasion

Ancient Isfahan was part of Elamite empire. Under the name of Aspandana it became one of the principal towns of Median dynasty, when Iranian Medes settled there. Subsequently the province became part of Achaemenid Empire and after liberation of Iran from Macedonian occupation by the Arsacids, it became part of Parthian Empire. Isfahan was the centre and capital city of a wide province, which was administered by Arsacid governors. In Sassanid era, Isfahan was governed by "Espoohrans" or the members of seven noble Iranian families who had important royal positions, it played a residential role for these noble families as well. Moreover, in this period Isfahan was a military centre with strong fortifications. This city was occupied by Arabs after final defeat of Iranians.

Arab Invasion

Isfahan, like other cities of Iran, fell under the rule of Arabs until the Abbasid era, only being attended to by al-Mansour. In the 10th century, under the Buwayhid Dynasty, Isfahan regained its importance. In the reign of Malik Shah I of the Seljuk dyansty, Isfahan was again selected as capital and commenced another golden age. In this period, Isfahan was one of the most thriving and important cities of the world. The famous Iranian philosopher Avicenna lived and taught there in the 11th century. This city was raided and massacred by The Mongols in the 13th century, followed by Timur in 1387. However, as the result of its suitable geographic situation, Isfahan flourished again especially in Safavid time, which developed considerably. The Golden Age of Isfahan arrived in the 16th century under Shah Abbas the Great (1587-1629), who made it the new capital of the Safavid dynasty. During the reign of Shah Abbas I, who unified Persia, Isfahan reached its pinnacle of briskness. Isfahan had parks, libraries and mosques that amazed Europeans, who had not seen anything like this at home. The Persians called it Nesf-e-Jahan, half the world; meaning that to see it was to see half the world. In its heyday it was also one of the largest with a population of one million; 163 mosques, 48 religious schools, 1801 shops and 263 public baths. In 1722, it was raided by the Afghans after a long siege, which left much of the city in ruins. Although the Afghans were a primary cause of Isfahan's decline, this can also be attributed to the development of maritime commerce by European merchants from such countries such as the Netherlands. Isfahan's wealth originated in its role as a chief waystation along the trans-Asia trade route, but trade dwindled as the cheaper sea routes increased in popularity for transporting commodities between Asia and Europe. It was only in the 20th century under Reza Shah Reza Pahlavi that the city was finally revived. Isfahan is also where Arthur Pope and his wife Phyllis Ackerman are buried.

Culture

Architecture of Isfahan

Phyllis Ackerman The architecture of Isfahan is made up of eight traditional forms which taken together form the foundation in the same way that music was once based on a finite number of notes. These are modulated by the use of colors and textures to leaven the surfaces and are held together in an overall construction akin to that of a sonata in which connection leads to culmination through a transition space. To appreciate the skill of the architects and designers fully, it is necessary to have an appreciation of these fundamental concepts i.e. garden, platform, porch, gateway, dome, arched chamber, and minaret, although in the geometry and architecture of the buildings they are woven together to present a seamless whole. A full discussion of the underlying principles can be found in the paper entitled "The Alchemy of the Mosque", given to a joint meeting of the School of Architecture and the Islamic Society of the University of Manchester in 1997.

Rugs of Isfahan

See main article: Isfahan rug.

Historical sites

Squares and Streets:
- Naqsh-e Jahan Square also known as shah square or imam square-1602.
- Meydan Kohne (Kohne Square)
- Shahshahan square
- Chaharbagh Boulevard - 1596.
- Chaharbagh-e-khajou Boulevard Mosques :
- Shah Mosque (it is called Imam mosque after Iran's Revolution)
- Sheikh Lotf Allah Mosque
- Jame Mosque Palaces:
- Ali Qapu (The Royal Palace) - Early 17th Century
- Talar Ashraf (The Palace of Ashraf) - 1650.
- Hasht Behesht (The Palace of Eight Paradises) - 1669.
- Chehel Sotoun (The Palace of forty columns) - 1647. Schools:
- Madreseye Sadr
- Madreseye Shah (Imam Jafar Sadegh after revolution)
- Madreseye Khajoo Caravanserais:
- Carvanserai Shah Bridges:
- Pol-e Shahrestan (The Shahrestan Bridge) - 11th Century.
- Pol-e Khaju (Khaju Bridge) - 1650.
- Si-o-Seh Pol (The Bridge of 33 Arches) - 1602.
- pol-e-Joui or choobi(Joui bridge)
- Pol-e-Shahrestan (Shahrestan bridge) Churches and Cathedrals
- Vank Cathedral - 17th century.
- Kelisaye maryam (maryam church) others include :
- Atashgah - a Zoroastrian fire temple.
- Buqe'h-ye Ibn-Sina (Avicenna's Dome) - 12th Century.
- The Tombs of Nizam al-Mulk & Malek Shah - 12th & 18th Century.
- Jolfa (The Armenian Quarter).
- The Bathhouse of Sheikh Bahai.
- Pigeon Towers - 17th Century.
Image:Isfahan Architecture.jpg|Imam Mosque Image:Khajoo Bridge.jpg|Khajoo Bridge Image:Isfahan Street.jpg|Isfahan Street Image:Sio Se Pol.jpg|Sio Se Pol Bridge Image:A palace In Isfahan.jpg|Palace Image:Isfahan Hotel2.jpg|Abbasi Hotel Image:Hash Behesht.jpg|Hasht Behesht Palace Image:Hasht Behesht 2.jpg|Hasht Behesht Palace

Famous people from Isfahan


- Allameh Majlesi
- Mohsen Nourbakhsh
- Seyyed Yahya Rahim-Safavi
- Ali-Akbar Ejei
- Mohammad-Javad Ejei
- Mahdi Ejei
- Jamalzadeh
- Ayatollah Seyyes Abolhassan Isfahani
- Ayatollah Arbab
- Ayatollah Shamsabadi
- Hatef Isfahani (poet)
- Saeb Tabrizi (poet)
- Shahid Hossein Kharrazi
- Ayatollah sayyed jalal aldin Taheri

Isfahan Today

Ayatollah sayyed jalal aldin Taheri, and other uranium compounds are produced. This fuel fabrication assembly is a vital part of Iran's nuclear fuel cycle.]] Today Isfahan, the third largest city in Iran, produces fine carpets, textiles, steel, and handicrafts. Isfahan also has nuclear experimental reactors as well as facilities for producing nuclear fuel (UCF). Isfahan has one of the largest steel producing facilities in the entire region, as well as facilities for producing special alloys. The cities of Najaf-abad, Khaneh Isfahan, Khomeini-shahr, Shahin-shahr, Zarrin-shahr, and Fulad-e Mobarakeh all constitute the metropolitan city of Isfahan. The city has an international airport and is in the final stages of constructing its first Metro line. Over 2000 companies are working in the area using Isfahan's economic, cultural, and social potentials. Isfahan contains a major oil refinery and a large airforce base. HESA, Iran's most advanced aircraft manufacturing plant (where the AN-140 aircraft is made), is located nearby.[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/iran/iran-140.htm]

Sports

Isfahan has two football (soccer) clubs that have been chart toppers in the Iran's Premier Football League. These are:
- Sepahan Isfahan [http://www.fooladsepahansport.com/ (Official website)]
- Zob Ahan Isfahan [http://www.zobahancsc.com/ (Official website)]

Colleges and Universities

Zob Ahan Isfahan Aside from the seminaries and religious schools, the major universities of the Isfahan metropolitan area are:
- # [http://www.mui.ac.ir/ Isfahan University of Medical Sciences]
- # [http://www.iut.ac.ir/ Isfahan University of Technology], Isfahan University of Technology ranks among the top 5 universities of Iran.
- # [http://www.ui.ac.ir/ University of Isfahan]
- # Isfahan University of Art
- # [http://www.iumrs.ac.ir/ Isfahan University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences]
- # Islamic Azad University of Isfahan
- # Islamic Azad University of Khomeinishahr
- # Islamic Azad University of Mobarakeh
- # [http://www.iaun.ac.ir/ Islamic Azad University of Najaf Abad]
- # [http://www.ashrafi.ac.ir/ Ashrafi Isfahani Academic Institute]
- # [http://www.mut.ac.ir Malek Ashtar University of Technology]
- # University of Defence Sciences and Technologies

Sister cities


- Isfahan University of Art Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Russia Florence, Italy
- Italy Istanbul, Turkey
- Turkey Freiburg, Germany
- Germany Kuwait city, Kuwait

Further References


- Reza Abouei, Urban Planning of Isfahan in the Seventeenth Century, Sheffield, 2004, [http://www.planum.net/topics/themesonline-Abouei-Isfahan.html article available on planum.net]

See also


- Iranian Architecture
- Isfahan Province

External links


- [http://shahrdari.isfahan.ir/ Municipality of Isfahan]
- [http://www.isfahan.ir/ Isfahan Official website]
  - [http://mun1.isfahan.ir/ region 1 site] [http://mun2.isfahan.ir/ region 2 site] [http://mun3.isfahan.ir/ region 3 site ] [http://mun4.isfahan.ir/ region 4 site ] [http://mun5.isfahan.ir/ region 5 site ] [http://mun6.isfahan.ir/ region 6 site ] [http://mun7.isfahan.ir/ region 7 site ] [http://mun8.isfahan.ir/ region 8 site ] [http://mun9.isfahan.ir/ region 9 site ] [http://mun10.isfahan.ir/ region 10 site] [http://mun11.isfahan.ir region 11 site]
- [http://www.iranchamber.com/cities/esfahan/esfahan.php Many pictures of Isfahan from Iranchamber.com]
- [http://www.isfahanmiras.ir/ Isfahan Cultural Heritage Organization]
- [http://www.etereaestudios.com/docs_html/isfahan_htm/isfahan_index.htm Watch "Isfahan the Movie" on QuickTime Player]
- [http://www.irpedia.com/cities/city.php?ID=679 Isfahan photos, attractions, hotels]
- [http://www.esfahanmetro.org/ Isfahan Metro] Category:Cities in Iran Category:Iranian provincial capitals Category:Isfahan ja:エスファハーン

Tehran

Tehran (also transcribed Teheran) (تهران in Persian), population 9,000,000 (metropolitan: 14,000,000), and a land area of 254 square miles, the capital of Iran (Persia) and the center of Tehran Province. Tehran is located at . [http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html] More than half of the country's industry is based there. Industries include the manufacturing of cars, electronics and electrical equipment, weaponry, textiles, sugar, cement, and chemical products. It is also a leading center for the sale of carpets and furniture. There is an oil refinery nearby. Tehran is a sprawling city at the foot of the Alborz mountain range with an immense network of highways unparalleled in western Asia. It is also the hub of the country's railway network. The city has numerous large museums, art centers, palace complexes and cultural centers. Besides Persians there are Azeri, Armenian, Kurdish and Jewish communities in Tehran. 98.3 percent of Tehran's residents speak Persian [http://www.hamshahri.org/ostans/iraninfo/tehran/farbomi/leftfar.htm]. The city is dotted with mosques. There are some churches and synagogues. The word Tehran in Persian means "warm mountain slope" (دامنه گرم).

History

Excavations place the existence of settlements in Tehran as far back as 6000 BC. Tehran was well known as a village in the 9th century, but was less well-known than the city of Rages which was flourishing nearby in the pre-Mongol era. In the 13th century, following the destruction of Rages by Mongols, many of its inhabitants fled to Tehran. In some sources of the Mongol era the city is mentioned as "Rages's Tehran" (طهرانِ ری). The city is later mentioned in Hamdollah Mostowfi's Nezhat ol-Gholoob (written in 1340) as a famous village. 1340 No one knows for sure how the city got its name, but one accepted explanation is that Tehran means "a warm place", as opposed to "a cool place", called Shemiran - a cooler district in northern Tehran. Don Ruy Gonzáles de Clavijo, a Castilian ambassador, was probably the first European to visit Tehran, stopping in July 1404, while on a journey to Samarkand (now in Uzbekistan) and the Mongol capital at the time. At this time, the city of Tehran was unwalled. Tehran became a residence of the Safavid rulers in the 17th century. Tahmasp I built a bazaar and a wall around the city, but it somewhat fell out of favour after Abbas I turned sick when he was passing the city to go to a war with the Uzbeks. In the early 18th century, Karim Khan Zand ordered a palace, a harem, and a government office to be built in Tehran, possibly to declare the city his capital, but later moved his government to Shiraz. Tehran finally became the capital of Persia in 1795, when the Qajar king Agha Mohammad Khan was crowned in the city. It remains the capital to this day. During World War II, British and Soviet troops entered the city. Tehran was the site of the Teheran Conference in 1943, attended by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin. On September 8 1978, demonstrations against the Shah led to riots. The army reportedly opened fire on the demonstrating mob. Martial law was installed in the wake of the ensuing revolution, from 1978-80. During the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War, Tehran was the scene of repeated Scud missile attacks and air strikes against random residential and industrial targets within the city, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties.

About Tehran

19781978 The Azadi Tower is the first thing visitors come across when coming from the Mehr-abad International Airport. The tower has become an icon of sorts for Tehran and Iran. Tehran suffers from extremely serious traffic congestion and pollution problems. Respiratory ailments such as asthma are now very common. Tehran has become so congested in the past 10 years, that the government has considered moving the nation's capital to another city to alleviate these problems and help de-centralize the economy and population. This is especially true in light of predictions of an imminent major earthquake in Tehran, situated on top of three major faultlines. But because Iran's economy and politics is so centralized, millions have little choice but to live and work in Tehran despite these problems. The Peacock Throne of the Persian Shahs can be found in Tehran's Golestan Palace. Some of the important museums are National Museum of Iran, Sa'dabad Palaces Complex, Glassware and Ceramics Museum of Iran, The Carpet Museum of Iran, Tehran's Underglass painting Museum, and Niavaran Palace Complex. The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art is also appealing to many because it features the works of great artists such as Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. The huge Tehran International Fair organises many expositions. Its book expositions are especially popular. Tehran is also the seat of Iran's Parliament (the Majles). And Tehran is also home to the world's fourth tallest free standing structure, the Milad Tower. The Tehran Stock Exchange which is a full member of the FIBV and a founding member of the Federation of Euro-Asian Stock Exchanges, was one of the world's best performing stock exchanges in recent years.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3129995.stm]. But since the election win of hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, it has seen a sharp fall and is now seen as one of the least profitable exchanges in the world.

Neighborhoods and Districts of Tehran

FIBV The city of Tehran is divided into 22 municipal districts, each with its own administrative centers. Within these 22 districts, Tehran contains the following major neighborhoods : Abbas Abad, Afsariyeh, Amir Abad, Bagh Feiz, Baharestan, Darakeh, Darband, Dardasht, Dar Abad, Dehkadeh Olampik, Ekhtiyariyeh, Elahiyeh, Evin, Gholhak, Gisha, Gomrok, Hasan Abad, Jamaran, Jannat Abad, Javadiyeh, Jomhuri, Jordanne, Narmak, Navvab, Nazi Abad, Niavaran, Park Shahr, Pasdaran, Punak, Ray, Sa'adat Abad, Sadeghiyeh, Shahrara, Shahreziba, Shahrak-e Gharb, Shemiran, Tehranpars, Vanak, Yaft Abad, Yusef Abad, etc. For full list, see List of the localities around Tehran.

The older neighborhoods of Tehran

Tehran's old city fabric changed dramatically during the first Pahlavi era. Some of the older remaining districts of Tehran are: Udlajan, Sangelaj, Bazaar, Chaleh Meydan, Dowlat. Chaleh Meydan is the oldest neighborhood of the aforementioned.

Transportation

Chaleh MeydanIn 2001 a metro system that had been in planning since the 1970s opened the first two of seven envisaged lines -- even though the city is prone to earthquakes. Work has been slow and coverage remains very limited. Development of the Tehran metro system had been interrupted by the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War. Problems arising from the late completion of the metro led to buses taking on the role of the metro lines, serving mainly long distance routes. Taxis filled the void for localised routes, not carrying passengers to their final destinations but operating along main routes and arteries. This has all led to extreme congestion and air pollution within the city. Tehran is served by Mehrabad International Airport, the old airport which doubles as a military base located in the western part of the city, and Imam Khomeini International Airport, 50 kilometers south, which handles flights from the Persian Gulf but which will eventually handle all international flights. The new airport is overdue and over budget, and Britain and Australia have warned their nationals not to use it because of safety concerns. Tehran also has a central train station with connecting services round the clock to various cities in the country. There are four bus terminals that also provide connections at low fares. These are the South, East, West, and Bei-haghi Park-Drive Terminals. While the center of the city contains the government ministries and headquarters, the commercial centers are more located toward Taleghani Ave. and Beheshti Ave. further north. Although administratively separate, Rey, Shemiran, and Karaj are often considered part of the larger Tehran metropolitan area. See also: List of Tehran metro stations

Colleges and universities

List of Tehran metro stations Ever since the establishment of Darolfonoon, Tehran has amassed an abundance of institutions of higher education. Some of these institutions have played crucial roles in the unfolding of Iranian political events. There are 45 major colleges and universities in total today in Tehran, listed below:

- [http://www.kntu.ac.ir/ K.N.Toosi University of Technology]
- [http://www.atu.ac.ir/ Allameh Tabatabaii University]
- Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic) ([http://www.aku.ac.ir/ website])
- Alzahra University ([http://www.alzahra.ac.ir/ website])
- [http://www.bmsu.ac.ir/ Baghiatollah University]
- [http://www.ihu.ac.ir/ Imam Hossein University]
- [http://www.isu.ac.ir/ Imam Sadegh University]
- Institute for Studies in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics (IPM) [http://www.ipm.ac.ir (website)]
- [http://www.iums.ac.ir/ Iran University of Medical Sciences]
- Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST)[http://www.iust.ac.ir (website)]
- [http://www.kiau.ac.ir/ Islamic Azad University of Karaj]
- Islamic Azad University of Roodehen
- [http://www.iautmu.ac.ir/ Islamic Azad University of Tehran-Medical Sciences]
- [http://www.iaunt.ac.ir/ Islamic Azad University of Tehran-North]
- [http://www.azad.ac.ir/ Islamic Azad University of Tehran-South]
- [http://www.iauctb.ac.ir/ Islamic Azad University of Tehran-Central]
- [http://www.iauro.ac.ir/ Islamic Azad University of Tehran-Region one]
- [http://www.shahed.ac.ir/ Shahed University]
- Shahid Beheshti University ([http://www.sbu.ac.ir/ website])
- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences [http://www.sbmu.ac.ir (website)]
- Sharif University of Technology ([http://www.sharif.ac.ir/ webiste])
- Tarbiat Modares University[http://www.modares.ac.ir/ (website)]
- [http://www.tums.ac.ir/ Tehran University of Medical Sciences]
- [http://www.tmu.ac.ir/ Tehran University of Tarbiat Moallem]
- [http://www.art.ac.ir/ University of The Arts]
- [http://www.uswr.ac.ir/ University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences]
- University of Tehran [http://www.ut.ac.ir/ (website)]
- [http://www.emamreza.ac.ir/ University of Emam Reza]
- [http://www.hadith.ac.ir/ Hadith College of Tehran]
- Imam Ali University for Army Officers
- [http://www.itrws.com/ Comprehensive University of Technology]
- [http://www.uast.ac.ir/ Tehran University of Applied Science and Technology]
- [http://www.coe.ac.ir/ Tehran College of Environment]
- [http://www.bou.ac.ir/ Bagher Aloloum University]
- [http://www.iranu.com/ International University of Iran]
- [http://www.ictfaculty.ir/ Iran College of Tele-communications]
- Medical University for the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army
- NAJA University of Police
- [http://www.sea.ac.ir School of Economic Affairs (SEA)]
- [http://www.sir.ac.ir School of International Relations (SIR)]
- Shahed University of Medical Sciences
- Shahid Sattari University of Aeronautical Engineering
- University of Islamic Sects
- [http://www.ripi.ir/en/ The Research Institute of The Petroleum Industry]
- [http://www.iranpolymerinstitute.org/ Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute]
Tehran also contains Iran's largest military academy, and several religious schools and seminaries.

Sports

Tehran was the first city in the Middle East to host the Asian Games. The 7th Asian Summer Games in 1974, was held with the participation of 2363 athletes and officials from 25 countries. Tehran is also the site of Iran's national football stadium on Azadi Sport Complex with 100000 seating capacity. Many of the top matches of Iran's Premier League are held here. In 2005, FIFA ordered Iran limit spectators allowed into Azadi stadium because of a fatal crush and inadequate safety procedures. Azadi Sport ComplexWithin 10 minutes of driving distance from Tehran lies a ski resort. Tochal is the world's fifth highest ski resort at over 3730m at its highest 7th station. The resort was completed in 1976 shortly before the overthrow of the Shah. Here, one must first ride the eight km (five mile) long gondola lift which covers a huge vertical. The 7th station has three slopes. The resort's longest slope is the south side U shaped slope which goes from the 7th station to 5th station. The other two slopes are located on the north side of the 7th station. Here, there are two parallel chair ski lifts that go up to 3900m near Tochal's peak (at 4000m), rising higher than the gondola 7th station station. This altitude is higher than any of the European resorts. From the Tochal peak, one has a spectacular view of the Alborz range, including the 5671 metre (18606 ft) high Mt. Damavand, a dormant volcano. At the bottom of the lifts in a valley behind the Tochal peak is Tochal hotel, located at 3500m altitude. From there a T lift takes skiers up the 3800 metres of Shahneshin peak, where the third slope of Tochal is. Tochal 7th station has skiing eight months of the year. But there are also some glaciers and year-round snow fields near Tehran where skiing began in 1938, thanks to the efforts of two German railway engineers. Today, 12 ski resorts operate in Iran, but the most famous are Tochal, Dizin, and Shemshak, all within one to three hours of Tehran. See also: Sports in Iran

Football

In football (soccer), Tehran is host to six football clubs in Iran's Premier Football League, namely:

- Esteghlal
- Saba Battery
- Saipa
- Rah Ahan
- Pas Tehran
- Pirouzi/Persepolis
These clubs have on numerous occasions won Asian titles, and some of their players are known internationally.

Outdoor

Pirouzi/Persepolis
- [http://www.tochalcomplex.com Tochal Ski resort]
- Darband hiking trail
- Chitgar Park
- Mellat Park
- Laleh Park
- Jamshidieh Park
- Niavaran Park
- Sa'ei Park
- Shahr-e Bazi amusement park.
- Shatranj Park
- Darabad hiking trail
- Darakeh hiking trail
- Jahan-e Kudak Park
- Azadi Sports complex
- Enghelab Sports Complex and Golf course
- Several caves, springs, and waterfalls outisde Tehran.
- Latyan Lake
- Lavizan Forest Park
- Vardavard Forest Park
- Khajeer National Park
- Kavir National Park
- Tar Lake
- Amir Kabir Lake
- Lar Protected Natural Habitat
- Varjeen Protected Natural Habitat

Culture

Tehran, as Iran's showcase and historical capital city, has a wealth of cultural attractions, some of which are listed below.
Image:Azadi2.jpg|Azadi Sport Complex Image:Bagh-melli.jpg|Bagh-e Melli (National Garden) Image:Museh Melli3.jpg|A bowl from the 4th Millennium BCE in the National Museum of Iran. Image:Teheran golestan.jpg|Golestan Palace

Palaces

Golestan Palace
- Golestan Palace and Takht-e Marmar. [http://www.golestanpalace.org/ (website)]
- Niavaran Palace Complex [http://niavaranpalace.org/ (website)]
- Sadabad Palace [http://www.saadabadpalace.org/ (website)]
- Saltanat Abad Palace
- Firouzeh Palace, (which belongs to Tehran's Zoroastrian community)
- Soleymaniyeh Palace
- Baharestan Palace, (where Iran's first parliament was located at)
- Morvarid Palace, Karaj, designed by The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. [http://www.iranian.com/Kasraie/2004/June/Design/]

Museums


- [http://www.saadabadgallery.ir/ Sa'd Abad Gallery of Fine Arts]
- [http://www.glasswaremuseum.ir/ Glassware Museum of Tehran]
- Iran's National Rug Gallery [http://carpetmuseum.ir/ (website)]
- [http://www.rezaabbasimuseum.ir/ Reza Abbasi Museum]
- Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art [http://www.ir-tmca.com/ (website)]
- Tehran Theater of the Performing Arts (Te'atr e Shahr)
- Talar Vahdat Theater
- National Museum of Iran, [http://www.nationalmuseumofiran.ir (website)]
- Dar-abad Nature & Wildlife Museum
- National Library of Iran

Religious centers


- Soltani Mosque, built by Fath Ali Shah
- Atiq Mosque, built in 1663.
- Mo'ezz o-dowleh mosque, built by Fath Ali Shah
- Haj Seyd Azizollah mosque, built by Fath Ali Shah
- Al-javad mosque, Iran's first modernist design mosque.
- The Old Sepahsalar mosque, another prominent Qajar era mosque.
- The new Sepahsalar mosque (Madreseh e Motahari)
- Filsuf o-dowleh Mosque, Qajar era
- Moshir ol-Saltaneh Mosque, Qajar era
- Mo'ayyer ol-Mamalik Mosque, Qajar era
- Shahr Banu Mausopleum
- Javan-mard Qassab Mausoleum, a pre-Islamic semi-mythical hero
- Dozens of Imam-zadeh shrines, hundreds of years old, including that of Imam Zadeh Saleh.
- Dozens of Saqa Khanehs: traditional places of prayer
- Several Tekyehs: traditional places for mourning Muharram ceremonies for Husayn ibn Ali.
- Ibn Babviyeh cemetery, where many Iranian giants such as Takhti and Ali Akbar Dehkhoda are buried.
- Zahir o-dowleh cemetery, where many Iranian giants of art and culture such as Iraj Mirza, Mohammad Taghi Bahar, Forough Farrokhzad, Abolhasan Saba, Ruhollah Khaleghi, and Darvish-khan are buried.
- Kordan Tomb, Seljuqi era, Karaj.
- Maydanak Tomb, 13th century, Karaj
- The Polish cemetery 1-north of Tehran in British Gholhak garden, where numerous World War II western allied soldiers are buried. 2- polish cemetery (catholic cemetery)Dulab south of Tehran
- orthodox Cemetery.Dulab/The Russian unknown soldier's Tomb(Cenotaph) is located there with red star over it

Churches


- Surep Georg Church, 1790
- Thaddeus Bartoqimus Church, 1808
- Tatavus Church, from the Qajar era
- Enjili Church, 1867
- Assyrian Church
Image:Khalvat Karimkhani Golestan2.jpg|Khalvat-e Karimkhani, Golestan Palace. Image:Tehran cemetary WW2.jpg|Tehran's WW2 Cemetery of Allied Forces Image:Borj-toghrul.jpg|Toghrol Tower, 13th century. Image:Melli Library.jpg|National Library of Iran, Niavaran branch.

Castles and Forts


- Arzhang Fort, Taleqan, 1149CE
- Iraj Fort, Varamin
- Gol e Khandan Fort, Rudehen, Sassanid era
- Rashkan Fort, Ray, Parthian era
- Tabbarok Fort, Abbasid era
- Sorkheh-Hesar Fort, Seljuqi era.
- Kei-Ghobad Fort, Taleqan, Ismaili era
- Gabri Fort, Parthian era, Ray.
- Several other forts and castle ruins, such as Ghal'eh Dokhtar Tang Goseel, near Karaj. Like all the other forts of this area, these have been ruined by earthquakes. Seljuqi era.
- Harun Prison. Sassanid era. South of Tehran.
- Bagh e Melli foreign ministry compound.

Traditional Houses

Dozens of houses of antiquity with splendid traditional architectural design remain standing in Tehran today. Most are from the Qajar era. Some of these are:
- Etehadiyeh House, Qajar era
- Amir Bahador House, Qajar era
- Emam Jomeh House, 1863CE
- Amin ol-Soltan House, Qajar era
- Shaghaghi (Kushak) House, Qajar era
- Emarat e Bagh e Ferdows, Qajar era
- Emarat Farmaniyeh, Qajar era
- Shahid Modarres House, Uladjan district.
- Vothuq House, 1837CE
- Moshir o-Dowleh Pir Nia House However, there exist plenty of houses of historical heritage also open to the public, such as: House of Nima Yooshij, House of Mohammed Mossadegh, House of Ayatollah Taleghani, House of Ghavam o-Dowleh, House of Imam Khomeini, and House of Mahmoud Hessaby.

Archeological sites

An abundance of ancient archeological historicl sites exists in and around Tehran. Some of the more prominent ones are:
- Cheshme Ali Teppe, 5th millennium BCE. Excavated by Jacques de Morgan.
- Shoghali Teppe, 6th millennium BCE.
- Qeytariyeh ancient Cemetery, 2nd millennium BCE.
- Teppe Meel, excavated by Jacques de Morgan, believed to be the temple of the legendary ancient leader Bahram Gur.
- Vavan Teppe, Sassanid era
- Ghareh Teppe, 6th millennium CE, excavated by the British Burton Brown.
- Ozbaki Teppe, Hashtgerd.

Others

Sassanid
- Iran National Library
- Borj-e Milad
- Darolfonoon institute of higher education
- Morvarid Canon, Afsharid dynasty era
- Tughrul Tower, Seljuqi era
- Tehran's Grand Bazaar, 1523CE.
- Several bridges of antiquity. Example: Pol e Rumi, located in Northern Tehran, from the Safavid era, today a property of the Embassy of Turkey.
- Alborz High School
- Firouz Bahram High School
- Stodan Of Zoroastrian. Located in Aminabad area.

The Mayor of Tehran

See main article: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf See also: List of mayors of Tehran

Sister cities

List of mayors of Tehran
- List of mayors of TehranLos Angeles, USA (linked before 1979)

2005 plane crash

On December 6th 2005 a military plane crashed into a ten story building killing 128 people and injuring 90 many others are left homeless.

See also


- Tehran International Fair
- Tehran Stock Exchange[http://www.tse.ir/]

External links


- [http://www.tehran.ir/ Tehran Municipality website]
- [http://www.tehrangis.com Tehran Geographic Information Center]
- [http://www.tehrancouncil.com/ Tehran's Islamic City Council] (in Persian)
- [http://www.ketabeavval.ir Urban Information Database (Yellow Pages)]
- [http://www.farsinet.com/tehran/history.html Farsinet's information on the history of Tehran]
- [http://www.tehranmetro.com Tehran Metro]
- [http://www.wikitravel.org/en/article/Tehran WikiTravel - Travel guide to Tehran (English)]
- [http://www.iles.umn.edu/faculty/bashiri/Courses/Tehran.html About Tehran]
- [http://www.tehranavenue.com/ Tehran Avenue (English)]
- [http://ganjineh.com/gallery/?page=iran,tehran&cat=place Tehran Gallery - Ganjineh.com]
- [http://www.tehran24.com/ Largest collection of photos from Tehran]
- [http://www.tehrantraffic.com/ Tehran Traffic Control Center]
- [http://www.iranian.com/Clips/2005/May/tehran.html Real Audio clip of the documentary: "Ancient Tehran: 8,000 years"]
- [http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=35.678494,51.407776&spn=0.269707,0.468361&t=k&hl=en Satellite picture by Google Maps] Category:Capitals in Asia Category:Cities along the Silk Road Category:Cities in Iran Category:Tehran Category:Iranian provincial capitals ko:테헤란 ja:テヘラン

Isfahan province

Isfahan province (Persian: استان اصفهان; also transliterated as Esfahan, Espahan, Sepahan or Isphahan) is one of the 30 provinces of Iran. It is located in the center of the country. Its capital is the city of Isfahan.

Geography

Isfahan The province of Isfahan covers an area of approximately 107,027 square km and is situated in the center of Iran. To its north, stand the Markazi (Central) Province and the provinces of Qom and Semnan. In the south, it is within the limits of the provinces of Fars, Kohkiluyeh and Booyer Ahmad. Eastwards, it is in the neighborhood of the provinces of Khorasan and Yazd. Whereas, in the west it has common borders with the provinces of Lurestan and Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiyari. Lurestan The city of Esfahan is the provincial capital; and the townships of this province are as follows: Aran, Bidgol, Ardestan, Isfahan, Barkhovar and Meymeh, Khomeini Shahr, Khansar, Semirom, Shahr-e-Hana, Faridan, Fereidune Shahr, Falavarjan, Kashan, Golpayegan, Lanjan, Mobarakeh, Nain, Najaf Abad, Shahreza, Anarak and Natanz; 18 townships,38 counties, 67 cities, and 2470 villages in all. According to the census in the year 2000, the population of the province was 3,923,255 of which approximately 74.3 percent were urban residents and 25.7 percent resided in the rural areas. The literacy rate was 87 percent. The province experiences a moderate and dry climate on the whole, ranging between 40.6°C and 10.6°C on a cold day in the winter season. The average annual temperature has been recorded as 16.7°C and the annual rainfall on an average has been reported as 116.9 mm. The city of Isfahan however experiences an excellent climate, with four distinct seasons.

History and culture

Historians have recorded initially as a defense and military base. The security and protection of the gradually increasing castles and fortifications, thereby, would provide the protection of residents nearby, therefore leading to the growth of large settlements nearby. These historical castles were Atashgah, Sarooyieh, Tabarok, Kohan Dej, and Gard Dej to name a few. The oldest of these is Ghal'eh Sefeed and the grounds at Tamijan from prehistoric times. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Isfahan province enjoyed high standards of prosperity as it became the capital of Safavid Persia. While the city of Isfahan was their seat of monarchy, Kashan was their place of vacation and leisure. Isfahan province encompasses various sects today. The majority of the people in the province are Persian speakers, but Bakhtiaris, Armenians and Hebrews also reside in the province. The official language of the province is Persian, though the minorities abide by their own language such as Hebrew or Luri. Isfahan province is noted for its reputed personalities such as writers, poets and other imminent figures who have been born and brought up or have lived in this territory.

Isfahan province today

Luri Isfahan province has many centers of attraction aside from the city of Isfahan itself. Kashan for example is a well worth destination for many tourists, as are Nain, where Iran's oldest mosque still stands, and Qamsar where roseflower is naturally made every year. Isfahan province is an industrial center of Iran. Rapid development of the industrial sector in this province has made it one of the greatest, if not the greatest industrial center in the country, close to surpassing Tehran. The most important industries of Isfahan are in the areas of: steel factory and mill refineries, defensive industries, medical manufacturing, Polyacril factories, textile and weaving industries, and handicraft sites among others. So widespread became the fame of Isfahan, that in honor of the city, the jazz music legend Duke Ellington wrote a piece called "Isfahan".

Colleges and Universities

The major universities of Isfahan province are:
- # [http://www.mui.ac.ir/ Isfahan University of Medical Sciences]
- # [http://www.iut.ac.ir/ Isfahan University of Technology]
- # [http://www.kaums.ac.ir/ Kashan University of Medical Sciences]
- # [http://www.ui.ac.ir/ University of Isfahan]
- # [http://www.kashanu.ac.ir/ University of Kashan]
- # [http://www.iumrs.ac.ir/ Isfahan University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences]
- # Islamic Azad University of Isfahan
- # Islamic Azad University of Khomeinishahr
- # [http://www.khuisf.ac.ir/ Islamic Azad University of Khorasgan]
- # [http://www.iaush.ac.ir/ Islamic Azad University of Shareza]
- # [http://www.iaumajlesi.ac.ir/Islamic Azad University of Shahr e Majlesi]
- # [http://www.falavarjan.ac.ir/ Islamic Azad University of Felavarjan]
- # Islamic Azad University of Mobarakeh
- # [http://www.naeiniau.ac.ir/ Islamic Azad University of Naeen]
- # [http://www.iaun.ac.ir/ Islamic Azad University of Najaf Abad]
- # Golpayegan University of Engineering
- # [http://www.ashrafi.ac.ir/ Ashrafi Isfahani Academic Institute]
- # [http://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/دانشگاه_هنر_اصفهان Isfahan University of Art]
- # [http://www.mut.ac.ir Malek Ashtar University of Technology]
- # University of Defence Sciences and Technologies

Major cities

Aran, Bidgol, Ardestan, Isfahan, Barkhovar and Meymeh, Khomeini Shahr, Khansar, Semirom, Shahr-e-Hana, Faridan, Fereidune Shahr, Falavarjan, Kashan, Golpayegan, Lanjan, Mobarakeh, Nain, Najaf Abad, Shahreza, Anarak and Natanz

External links


- [http://www.ostan-es.ir/ Official website]
- [http://www.isfahanmiras.ir/ Isfahan Cultural Heritage Organization]
- [http://www.isfahaneducation.com/ Isfahan Province Department of Education] Category:Provinces of Iran ja:エスファハーン州

Iran

Iran (Persian: ايران) is a Middle Eastern country located in Southwest Asia bordering Armenia, Azerbaijan including its Nakhichevan exclave and Turkmenistan to the north, Pakistan and Afghanistan to the east, Turkey and Iraq to the west. Until 1935 the country was referred to in the West as Persia. In 1959, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi announced that both terms could be used. In 1979, the Iranian revolution established a theocratic Islamic Republic, changing the country's official name to the Islamic Republic of Iran (جمهوری اسلامی ايران). Dispute exists as to the country's current official name.

History

Sometime around 1500 to 1000 BC, the Iranian nomads of Indo-European stock emigrated to the Iranian plateau possibly from Central Asia. In 8th century BC, the first Iranian government was established under the Median dynasty and under the following dynasty, the Achaemenids, Iranians built the first world empire. Their empire emerged in the 6th century BC under Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire, who called himself "King of Iran and beyond". Indeed, the name Persia is derived from Persis, the ancient Greek name for the empire. The Achaemenid dynasty was followed by the Parthian and Sassanid dynasties as Persia's greatest pre-Islamic empires. Alexander the Great first conquered Persia in 331 BC, followed by Islam's Arab forces in the 7th century, and Genghis Khan, and lastly, Tamerlane who conquered a significant portion of Persia in the middle ages. middle ages The 9th century saw the rise of the Saffarids and then other lines of kings or shahs. During the 19th century Persia came under increasing pressure from both Russia and the United Kingdom, leading to a process of modernization that continued into the 20th century. By the 20th century Iranians were longing for a change and thus followed the Persian Constitutional Revolution of 1905/1911. In 1953 Iran's elected prime minister Mohammad Mosaddeq, was removed from power in a complex plot orchestrated by British and US intelligence agencies (dubbed "Operation Ajax"). Many scholars suspect that this ouster was motivated by British-US opposition to Mosaddeq's attempt to nationalize Iran's oil. Following Mosaddeq's fall, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (Iran's monarch) grew increasingly dictatorial. With strong support from the USA and the UK, the Shah further modernized Iranian industry but crushed civil liberties. His autocratic rule, including systematic torture and other human rights violations, led to the Iranian revolution and overthrow of his regime in 1979. After more than a year of political struggle between a variety of different groups, an Islamic republic was established under the Ayatollah Khomeini by a revolution. The new theocratic political system instituted some conservative Islamic reforms and engaged in an anti-Western course. In particular Iran distanced itself from the United States due to the American involvement in the 1953 coup, which supplanted an elected government with the Shah's repressive regime. It also declared its refusal to recognize the existence of Israel as a state. The new government inspired various groups considered by a large part of the Western World to be fundamentalist. As a consequence some countries, currently led by the USA, consider Iran to be a hostile power. In 1980 Iran was attacked by neighbouring Iraq and the destructive Iran-Iraq War continued until 1988. The struggle between reformists and conservatives over the future of the country continues today through electoral politics and was a central Western focus in the 2005 Elections where Conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad triumphed.

Politics

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Iran is a constitutional Islamic Republic, whose political system is laid out in the 1979 constitution. Iran's makeup has several intricately connected governing bodies, some of which are democratically elected and some of which are appointed by religious leaders. The concept of velayat-e faqih (guardianship of the jurist) plays an influential role in the governmental structure. The Supreme Leader of Iran is responsible for the delineation and supervision of "the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran." In the absence of a single leader, a council of religious leaders is appointed. The Supreme Leader is commander-in-chief of the armed forces; he alone can declare war. He has the power to appoint and dismiss the leaders of the judiciary, the state radio and television networks, and the supreme commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He also appoints six of the twelve members of the Council of Guardians. He, or the council of religious leaders, are elected by the Assembly of Experts, on the basis of their qualifications and the high popular esteem in which they are held. Twelve jurists comprise the Council of Guardians, six of whom are appointed by the Supreme Leader. The head of the judiciary recommends the remaining six, which are officially appointed by Parliament. The Council of Guardians is vested with the authority to interpret the constitution and determines if the laws passed by Parliament are in line with sharia (Islamic law) and the Iranian constitution; if a law passed by Parliament is deemed incompatible, it is referred back to Parliament for revision. After the office of Leadership, the President of Iran is the highest official in the country. His is responsibile for implementing the Constitution and acting as the head of the executive, except in matters directly concerned with the Leadership. All presidential candidates must be approved by the Council of Guardians prior to running, and are elected to a 4-year term. After his election, the president appoints and supervises the 21-member Council of Ministers (who must then be confirmed by Parliament), coordinates government decisions, and selects government policies to be placed before the parliament. Eight vice presidents serve under the president. The unicameral Iranian parliament consists of 290 members elected to a 4-year term (approved by the Council of Guardians before running). It drafts legislation, ratifies international treaties, and approves the country's budget. All legislation from the assembly must be reviewed by the Council of Guardians. The Assembly of Experts, which meets for one week every year, consists of 86 "virtuous and learned" clerics elected by the public to eight-year terms. Like presidential and parliamentary elections, the Council of Guardians determines eligibility to run for a seat in this assembly. The head of the judiciary is appointed by the Supreme Leader, who in turn appoints the head of the Supreme Court and the chief public prosecutor. Public courts deal with civil and criminal cases. "Revolutionary" courts try certain categories of offenses, including crimes considered against national security or the republic and narcotics smuggling. Decisions rendered in these courts are final and cannot be appealed. The Special Clerical Court, which functions independently of the regular judicial framework and is accountable only to the Supreme Leader, handles crimes allegedly committed by clerics, although it has also taken on cases involving lay people.

Administrative divisions

Provinces

Iran consists of 30 provinces: Provinces are governed from a local center, mostly the largest local city. Provincial authority is headed by a governor (استاندار: ostāndār), who is installed by the Minister of Interior subject to approval of the cabinet. Until 2004 there were 28 provinces. A law passed that year split the province of Khorasan into three new provinces: North Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan, and South Khorasan.

Major cities

Iran's top four largest cities are:
Image:Meydoon sadeghiyeh.jpg|Tehran: 8,601,473 (2005 pop.) Image:Nadershahtomb.jpg|Mashad: 2,307,177 (2005 pop.) Image:IMG 0414 resize.jpg|Isfahan: 1,547,164 (2005 pop.) Image:Poets tomb tabriz.jpg|Tabriz: 1,424,641 (2005 pop.)
See also: List of cities in Iran.

Geography

List of cities in Iran Iran borders Azerbaijan (length of border: 432 km / 268 mi ) and Armenia (35 km / 22mi) to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan (992 km / 616 mi) to the northeast, Pakistan (909 km / 565 mi) and Afghanistan (936 km / 582 mi) to the east, Turkey (499 km / 310 mi) and Iraq (1,458 km / 906 mi) to the west, and finally the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the south. Iran's total land mass is 1,648,000 km² / ≈636,300 mi² (Land: 1,636,000 km² / ≈631,663 mi², Water: 12,000 km² / ≈4,633 mi²). Iran's landscape is dominated by rugged mountain ranges that separate various basins or plateaus from one another. The populous western part is the most mountainous, with ranges such as the Zagros and Alborz Mountains, the latter of which also contains Iran's highest point, the Damavand at 5,671 m (18,606 ft). The eastern half consists mostly of uninhabited desert basins with the occasional salt lake. The only large plains are found along the coast of the Caspian Sea and at the northern end of the Persian Gulf, where Iran borders on the mouth of the Arvand river (Shatt al-Arab). Smaller, discontinuous plains are found along the remaining coast of the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman. The Iranian climate is mostly arid or semiarid, though subtropical along the Caspian coast. Iran is considered to be one of the fifteen states that comprise the so-called "Cradle of Humanity".

Climate

Iran's varied landscape produces several different climates. On the northern edge of the country (the Caspian coastal plain) the temperatures nearly fall below freezing and remain humid for the rest of the year. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 29°C (84°F). Annual precipitation is 680 mm (26 in) in the eastern part of the plain and more than 1700 mm (75 in) in the western side of the plain. At higher elevations to the west, settlements in the Zagros mountains basins experience lower temperatures. These areas have severe winters, with average daily temperatures below freezing and have heavy snowfall. The eastern and central basins are arid. They get less than 200 mm (8 in) of rain and have occasional desert. The average summer temperatures exceed 38°C (100°F). The coastal plains of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman in southern Iran have mild winters and experience very humid and hot summers. The Annual precipitation ranges from 135 mm to 355 mm (6 to 14 in).

Economy

Gulf of Oman 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. The current administration has continued to follow the market reform plans of the previous one and has indicated that it will pursue diversification of Iran's oil-reliant economy. Iran is attempting to diversify by investing revenues in other areas, including petrochemicals. Iran is also hoping to attract billions of dollars worth of foreign investment by creating a more favorable investment climate (i.e., reduced restrictions and duties on imports, creation of free-trade zones). Iran is OPEC's second largest oil producer and holds 10% of the world's proven oil reserves. It also has the world's second largest natural gas reserves (after Russia). The strong oil market in 1996 helped ease financial pressures on Iran and allowed for Tehran's timely debt service payments. Iran's financial situation tightened in 1997 because of lower oil prices. The subsequent rise in oil prices in 1999/2000 afforded Iran fiscal breathing room. Iranian budget deficits have been a chronic problem, in part due to large-scale state subsidies–totaling some $7.25 billion per year–including foodstuffs and especially gasoline. gasoline district.]] On March 20, 2006, Iran plans to participate in a new International Oil Bourse, trading oil priced as Petroeuros, rather than Petrodollars, as oil is traded in all other markets (as of 2005). This attempt to rebalance trading relationships in the world economy may trigger a series of far reaching consequences. A few observers, especially among peak oil production theorists who believe that an oil crisis is imminent, argue that there is a potential for a resource war with the United States of America over the flow of both dollars and oil. Others, including military leaders and peak oil theorists who believe that a crisis is further off, argue that the results of war game scenarios cast doubt on the argument that a war is the most likely result of the Oil Bourse. The services sector has seen the greatest long-term growth in terms of its share of GDP, but the sector remains volatile. State investment has boosted agriculture, however, with the liberalization of production and the improvement of packaging and marketing helping to develop new export markets. Large-scale irrigation schemes, together with the wider production of export-based agricultural items such as dates, flowers and pistachios, produced the fastest economic growth of any sector in Iran over much of the 1990s, although successive years of severe drought in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 have held back output growth substantially. Agriculture remains one of the largest employers, accounting for 22% of all jobs according to the 1991 census. According to the U.N. World Drug Report for 2005, Iran has the highest proportion of opiate addicts in the world–2.8 percent of the population over age 15. Only two other countries–Mauritius and Kyrgyzstan–pass the 2 percent mark. With a population of about 70 million and some government agencies putting the number of regular users close to 4 million, Iran has no real competition as world leader in per capita addiction to opiates, including heroin.

Demographics

heroin

Ethnic groups

The majority of Iran's population speak one of the Iranian languages, though only Persian is an official language. While the number, percentage, and definition of the different Iranian peoples is disputed, the major ethnic groups and minorities in Iran include the Persians (51%), Azeris (24%), Gilaki and Mazandarani (8%), Kurds (7%), Arabs (3%), Baluchi (2%), Lurs (2%), Turkmen people (2%), Qashqai, Armenians, Persian Jews, Assyrians and others.

Religion

Assyrians Most Iranians are Muslims; 89% belong to the Shi'a branch of Islam, the official state religion, and about 10% belong to the Sunni branch, which predominates in most Muslim countries. Non-Muslim religious minorities include the Bahá'í Faith, Zoroastrians, as well as Jews, Christians, and Mandeans. The latter three are officially recognised minority religions and have reserved seats in the Majlis (Parliament). Iran's population size increased dramatically during the latter half of the 20th century. Iran hosts more than one million foreign refugees, more than any other country on earth.

Culture

earth and guardians of an ancient and sophisticated culture.]] Like all ancient civilizations, culture constitutes the focal point and heart of Iranian civilization. The art, music, architecture, poetry, philosophy, traditions, and ideology of Iran have made it a continuously important nation in the global community. In fact, many Iranians believe their culture to be the one and only reason why their civilization has continuously survived thousands of years of plethoric calamities.

Miscellaneous topics

Notes and references


-
-
- Please note that the numbers are according to the 2004 edition of CIA's The World Factbook. Different claims include higher numbers for Persian-speaking groups and respectively lower numbers for Turkic-speaking groups or vice versa. Some people in the first group claim that the CIA statistics are based on guesses made around 1964, while the CIA claims that their numbers are based on information from January 2004.
-
- Additional references and bibliography can be found in the more detailed articles linked to in this article.

External links

Official Government Links

The following websites belong to the various branches of government, or are directly operated by the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
- [http://www.leader.ir Official site of the Supreme Leader], [http://www.wilayah.org/ (Qom office)]
- [http://www.president.ir Presidency of the Islamic Republic of Iran] - Official website.
- [http://www.irisn.com/ The Council of Guardians], Official website.
- [http://mellat.majlis.ir/ The Majlis], Iran's parliament. [http://www.majlis.ir/ (2)].
- [http://www.iranjudiciary.org/ The Judiciary of The Islamic Republic of Iran]
- [http://www.mfa.gov.ir Ministry of Foreign Affairs]
- [http://www.ershad.gov.ir/ Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance]
- [http://www.mod.ir/ Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces]
- [http://www.freezones.ir/ Secretariat of The High Council of Iran Free Trade Industrial Zones]
- [http://www.iranculture.org Secretariat of The High Council of The Cultural Revolution]
- [http://www.spk-gov.ir/ Official Spokesman of the Islamic Republic of Iran]
- [http://www.aeoi.org.ir/ Islamic Republic of Iran Atomic Energy Organization]
- [http://www.iranmiras.ir/ Islamic Republic of Iran Cultural Heritage Organization]
- [http://www.rcs.ir/en Islamic Republic of Iran Red Crescent Society]
- [http://www.irib.com Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting], official website.
- [http://www.shahid.ir/ Bonyad e Shahid Foundation]
- [http://www.iran-bonyad.com/ Bonyad e Mostazafeen Foundation]

Other links


-
- [http://www.irpedia.com/ Iran Travel and Tourism Guide]
- [http://www.cais-soas.com Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies (CAIS)]
- [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/03/iran_power/html/default.stm BBC News - "Iran, Who holds the power?"]
- [http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ir.html CIA World Factbook - Iran]
- [http://www.state.gov/p/nea/ci/c2404.htm US State Department - Iran] includes Background Notes, Country Study and major reports
- [http://dmoz.org/Regional/Middle_East/Iran/ Open Directory Project - Iran] directory category
- [http://news.yahoo.com/fc?tmpl=fc&cid=34&in=world&cat=iran Yahoo! News Full Coverage Iran] headline links
- [http://www.gooya.com Directory of Iranian online newspapers]
- [http://www.iranoilgas.com/ Iran Oil and Gas]
- [http://www.iranmilitaryforum.com Iran Military Forum]
- [http://www.iranmilitaryforum.com Iran Military Side]
- [http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/221/ Freedom of Expression in Iran] - IFEX
- [http://cns.miis.edu/research/wmdme/iran.htm List of alleged weapons]
- [http://www.islam.org.au/articles/24/iran.htm The Dismal Reality of Ahlus Sunnah in Iran ]
- [http://www.thepersiangulf.org Iran, The Persian Gulf] - Iran in the Persian Gulf
- List of [http://www.irpedia.com/iran/touristinfo.php?ID=1203 Iranian High Commissions, embassies and consulates] around the world.
- [http://www.farhangsara.com/ Farhangsara.com] - an independently-produced Iran encyclopedia Category:Persian Gulf states Category:Iranian people Category:Near Eastern countries Category:Middle Eastern countries Category:Southwest Asian countries zh-min-nan:Iran ko:이란 ms:Iran ja:イラン simple:Iran th:ประเทศอิหร่าน

Persian Empire

The Persian Empire is the name used to refer to a number of historic dynasties that have ruled the country of Persia (Iran). Persia's earliest known kingdom was the proto-Elamite Empire, followed by the Medes; but it is the Achaemenid Empire that emerged under Cyrus the Great that is usually the earliest to be called "Persian." Successive states in Iran before 1935 are collectively called the Persian Empire by Western historians.

The name Persia

Persia has long been used by the West to describe the nation of Iran, its people, or its ancient empire. It derives from the ancient Greek name for Iran, Persis. This in turn comes from the name of Cyrus's main clan "Pars" or "Parsa" which has given its name also to a province in southern Iran, called Fars in the modern Persian language and Pars in Middle Persian. Persis is the Hellenized form of Pars, based on which other European nations termed the area Persia. This province was the core of the original Persian Empire. Westerners referred to the state as Persia until March 21, 1935, when Reza Shah Pahlavi formally asked the international community to call the country by its native name. Some Persian scholars protested this decision because changing the name separated the country from its past. It also caused some Westerners to confuse Iran with Iraq; so in 1959 his son Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi announced that both Persia and Iran can be used interchangeably. (See Iran/Persia naming controversy) According to the ancient Greek historian, Herodotus, the name "Persian" comes from the Aryan claim of descent from the mythological hero, Perseus.

The rise and fall of empires in Persia

The first Persian state: Achaemenid Persia (648 BC-330 BC)

330 BC] :Main article: Achaemenid dynasty The first record of the Persians comes from an Assyrian inscription from c. 844 BC that calls them the Parsu (Parsuash, Parsumash) and mentions them in the region of Lake Urmia alongside another group, the Madai (Medes). For the next two centuries, the Persians and Medes were at times tributary to the Assyrians. The region of Parsuash was annexed by Sargon of Assyria around 719 BC. Eventually the Medes came to rule an independent Median Empire, and the Persians were subject to them. The Achaemenids were the first line of Persian rulers, founded by Achaemenes (Hakaimanish), chieftain of the Persians around 700 BC. Around 653 BC, the Medes came under the domination of the Scythians, and the son of Achaemenes, a certain Teispes, seems to have led the nomadic Persians to settle in southern Iran around this time -- eventually establishing the first organized Persian state in the important region of Anshan as the Elamite kingdom was permanently destroyed by the Assyrian ruler Ashurbanipal (640 BC). The kingdom of Anshan and its successors continued to use Elamite as an official language for quite some time after this, although the new dynasts spoke Persian, an Indo-Iranian tongue. Teispes' descendants branched off into two lines, one line ruling in Anshan, while the other ruled the rest of Persia. Cyrus II the Great united the separate kingdoms around 559 BC. At this time, the Persians were still tributary to the Median Empire ruled by Astyages. Cyrus rallied the Persians together, and in 550 BC defeated the forces of Astyages, who was then captured by his own nobles and turned over to the triumphant Cyrus, now Shah of a unified Persian kingdom. As Persia assumed control over the rest of Media and their large Middle Eastern empire, Cyrus led the united Medes and Persians to still more conquest. He took Lydia in Asia Minor, and carried his arms eastward into central Asia. Finally in 539 BC, Cyrus marched triumphantly into the ancient city of Babylon. After this victory, he set the standard of the benevolent conqueror by issuing the Cyrus Cylinder. In this declaration, the king promised not to terrorize Babylon nor destroy its institutions and culture. Cyrus was killed during a battle against the Massagetae or Sakas. Sakas Cyrus' son, Cambyses II, annexed Egypt to the Persian Empire. The empire then reached its greatest extent under Darius I. He led conquering armies into the Indus River valley and into Thrace in Europe. His invasion of Greece was halted at the Battle of Marathon. His son Xerxes I also tried to conquer Greece, but was defeated at the Battle of Plataea 479 BC. The Achaemenid Persian Empire was the largest and most powerful empire the world had yet seen. More importantly, it was well managed and organized. Darius divided his realm into about twenty satrapies (provinces) supervised by satraps, or governors, many of whom had personal ties to the Shah. He instituted a systematic tribute to tax each province. He took the advanced postal system of the Assyrians and expanded it. Also taken from the Assyrians was the usage of secret agents of the king, known as the King's Eyes and Ears, keeping him informed. He built the famous Royal Road by improving ancient trade routes, thereby connecting far reaches of the empire. He moved the administration center from Persia itself to Susa, near Babylon and closer to the center of the realm. The Persians allowed local cultures to survive, following the precedent set by Cyrus the Great. This was not only good for the empire's subjects, but ultimately benefited the Achaemenids, since the conquered peoples felt no need to revolt. During the Achaemenid period, Zoroastrianism became the religion of the rulers and most of the people of Persia. Its founder Zoroaster had lived around 600 BC. The new religion was a new look at the traditional Aryan gods; it emphasized a dualist struggle between good and evil gods and a final battle yet to come. Zoroastrianism and its mystic leaders, called Magi, would become a defining element of Persian culture. Achaemenid Persia united people and kingdoms from every major civilization of a vast region. For the first time, people from very different cultures were in contact with each other under one ruler.

Hellenistic Persia (330 BC-170 BC)

170 BC).]] The later years of the Achaemenid dynasty were marked by decay and decadence. The mightiest empire in the world collapsed in only eight years, when it fell under the attack of a young Macedonian king, Alexander the Great. Persia's weakness was exposed to the Greeks in 401 BC, when the Satrap of Sardis hired ten thousand Greek mercenaries to help secure his claim to the imperial throne (see Xenophon). This exposed both the political instability and the military weakness of late Achaemenid Persia. Philip II of Macedon, leader of most of Greece, and his son Alexander decided to take advantage of this weakness. After Philip's death, Alexander looked toward Persia. Alexander's army landed in Asia Minor in 334 BC. His armies quickly swept through Lydia, Phoenicia, and Egypt, before defeating all the troops of Darius III at Issus and capturing the capital at Susa. The last Achaemenid resistance was at the "Persian Gates" near the royal palace at Persepolis. The Persian Empire was now in Greek hands. Along his route of conquest, Alexander founded many colony cities, all named "Alexandria". For the next several centuries, these cities served to greatly extend Greek, or Hellenistic, culture in Persia. Alexander's empire broke up shortly after his death, but Persia remained in Greek hands. Alexander's general, Seleucus, took control of Persia, Mesopotamia, and later Syria and Asia Minor. His ruling family is known as the Seleucid Dynasty. Seleucid Dynasty Greek colonization continued until around 250 BC; Greek language, philosophy, and art came with the colonists. Throughout Alexander's former empire, Greek became the common tongue of diplomacy and literature. Trade with China had begun in Achaemenid times along the so-called Silk Road; but during the Hellenistic period it began in earnest. The overland trade brought about some fascinating cultural exchanges. Buddhism came in from India, while Zoroastrianism traveled west to influence Judaism. Incredible statues of the Buddha in classical Greek styles have been found in Persia and Afghanistan, illustrating the mix of cultures that occurred around this time (See Greco-Buddhism), although it is possible that Greco-Buddhist art dates from Achaemenid times when Greek artists worked for the Persians. The Seleucid kingdom began to decline rather quickly. Even during Seleucus' lifetime, the capital was moved from Seleucia on the Tigris in Mesopotamia to the more Mediterranean-oriented Antioch in Syria. The eastern provinces of Bactria and Parthia broke off from the Seleucid Kingdom in 238 BC. King Antiochus III's military leadership kept Parthia from overrunning Persia itself, but his successes alarmed the burgeoning Roman Empire. Roman legions began to attack the kingdom. At the same time, the Seleucids had to contend with the revolt of the Maccabees in Judea and the expansion of the Kushan Empire to the east. The empire fell apart and was conquered by Parthia and Rome.

Parthian Persia (170 BC-AD 226)

226), AD 100, kept at The National Museum of Iran, Tehran.]] :Main article: Parthian Empire Parthia was a region north of Persia in what is today northeastern Iran. Its rulers, the Arsacid dynasty, belonged to an Iranian tribe that had settled there during the time of Alexander. They declared their independence from the Seleucids in 238 BC, but their attempts to expand into Persia were thwarted until c. 170 BC under Mithridates I. The Parthian Empire shared a border with Rome along the upper Euphrates River. The two empires became major rivals. Parthian mounted archers proved a match for Roman legions, as in the Battle of Carrhae in which the Parthian General Surena defeated Crassus of Rome. Wars were very frequent, with Mesopotamia serving as the battleground. During the Parthian period, Hellenistic customs partially gave way to a resurgence of Persian culture. However, the empire lacked political unity. By the first century BC, Parthia was decentralized, ruled by feudal nobles. Wars with Rome to the west and the Kushan Empire to the northeast drained the country's resources. Parthia, now impoverished and without any hope to recover the lost territories, was demoralized. The kings had to give more concessions to the nobility, and the vassal kings sometimes refused to obey. In AD 224, the Persian vassal king Ardashir revolted. Two years later, he took Ctesiphon, and this time, it meant the end of Parthia. It also meant the beginning of the second Persian Empire, ruled by the Sassanid kings.

Sassanid Persia (AD 226-650)

650 :Main article: Sassanid Empire During Parthian rule, Persia was only one province in a large, loosely controlled empire. The local king of Persia at this time, Ardashir I, led a revolt against the imperial government of Parthia. In two years he was the shah of a new Persian Empire. The Sassanid (or Sassanian) dynasty (named for Ardashir's grandfather) was the first native Persian ruling dynasty since the Achaemenids; thus they saw themselves as the successors of Darius and Cyrus. They pursued an aggressive expansionist policy. They recovered much of the eastern lands that the Kushans had taken in the Parthian period. The Sassanids continued to make war against Rome; a Persian army even captured the Emperor Valerian in 260. Sassanid Persia, unlike Parthia, was a highly centralized state. The people were rigidly organized into a caste system: Priests, Soldiers, Scribes, and Commoners. Zoroastrianism was finally made the official state religion, and spread outside Persia proper and out into the provinces. There was sporadic persecution of other religions. The Catholic (Orthodox) Christian church was particularly persecuted, but this was in part due to its ties to the Roman Empire. The Nestorian Christian church was tolerated and sometimes even favored by the Sassanids. The wars and religious control that had fueled Sassanid Persia's early successes eventually contributed to its decline. The eastern regions were conquered by the White Huns in the late 400s. Adherents of a radical religious sect, the Mazdakites, revolted around the same time. Khosrau I was able to recover his empire and expand into the Christian countries of Antioch and Yemen. Between 605 and 629, Sassanids successfully annexed Levant and Egypt and pushed into Anatolia. However, a subsequent war with the Romans utterly destroyed the empire. In the course of the protracted conflict, Sassinid armies reached Constantinople, but could not defeat the Byzantines there. Meanwhile, the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius had successfully outflanked the Persian armies in Asia Minor and handed them a crushing defeat in Northern Mesopotamia. The Sassanids had to give up all their conquered lands and retreat. This defeat was mentioned in Qur'an as a "victory for believers," referring to the Romans, who were monotheists, in contrast to the pagan Sassinids. (Note: The official religion of the Sassanid empire was Zoroastrianism. While not an Abrahamic/Semitic religion like Christianity or Islam, it is not strictly speaking "Pagan" (Polytheistic)). Heavy taxes caused by the very long war caused rebellions across the empire, and the Emperor Khosro II (Parviz) was assassinated in 629. This incident was allegedly fortold by Muhammed as a punishment from God because Khosro humiliated Muhammed's messangers and tore a message from the Prophet which contained a chapter of Qur'an. After a defeat at Nineveh in 642, Khosro's successor Kavdah II was also assassinated. Civil war broke out across the Empire and the country descended into anarchy.

Islam and Persia (650-1219)

:Main article: Islamic conquest of Iran Islamic conquest of Iran, Iran, is a reminder of the blossoming of art and architecture in medieval Persia.]] The explosive growth of the Arab Caliphate coincided with the chaos caused by the end of Sassanid rule. Conquest came easily; most of the country was overrun in 643-650. The last resistance from the remnants of the Sassanid dynasty ended two years later. Persia's conquest by Islamic Arab armies marks the transition into "medieval" Persia. Yazdegerd III, the last Sasanian King, died ten years after he lost his empire to the newly-formed Muslim Caliphate. He tried to recover some of what he lost with the help of the Turks and the Tatars but they were easily defeated by Muslim armies. Then he sought the aid of the Chinese but they refused to help him. He is believed to have lived on the borders of the Islamic Persia. Some historians say that he lived inside the Islamic Persia. The Arab empire, ruled by the Umayyad Dynasty, was the largest state in history up to that point. It stretched from Spain to the Indus, from the Aral Sea to the southern tip of Arabia. Yet the Umayyads borrowed heavily from Persian and Byzantine administrative systems and moved their capital to Damascus, in the center of their empire. The Umayyads would rule Persia for a hundred years. The Arab conquest dramatically changed life in Persia. Arabic became the new lingua franca and Islam quickly replaced Zoroastrianism; and mosques were built. A new language, religion, and culture were added to the Persian cultural milieu. In 750 the Umayyads were ousted from power by the Abbasid family. By that time, Iranians had come to dominate not only the bureacracy of the empire, but all branches of the government [http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1842120115/002-3364650-7768069]. The unrivaled dominance of the Persians on all affairs of the administration of the Caliphate led to the spread and blossoming of Persian culture, science, mathematics, and medicine, throughout the Arab world. The cali