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Government type
Islamic Republic of Iran
Capital
Tehran
Administrative divisions 28 provinces
(ostanha,
singular—ostan);
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,
Qazvin, Qom, Semnan,
Sistan va
Baluchestan,Tehran,
Yazd, Zanjan Country name
conventional long
form: Islamic
Republic of Iran
conventional short
form: Iran
local long form:
Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye
Iran
local short form:
Iran Location Iran is located at
the strategic
crossroads between
the Western and
Eastern worlds. It
has borders with
Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Turkmenistan in
the north,
Afghanistan and
Pakistan in the
east, and Iraq and
Turkey in the west.
The Caspian Sea lies
in the north, the
Gulf Oman, the
Strait of Hormuz and
the Persian Gulf lie
in the south of the
country. The
topography of Iran
consists mainly of
deserts and
mountains. These
areas are virtually
uninhabitable. Most
of the population
lives in the
northern and
north-western areas.
Two mountain chains
dominate the
landscape, the
Zagros Mountains and
the Elbruz range.
Forests and
woodlands exist but
are rather limited.
Geographic coordinates
32 00 N, 53 00 E
Climate
Mountainous, with
deserts and barren
lands in central and
east of the country.
Iran is
significantly
different in terms
of temperature,
humidity and
rainfall from place
to place and season
to season. The
temperature
decreases as you
travel from south to
north. In Tehran,
minimum temperature
in January may fall
to - 4 C and in July
rise to +37 C.
Spring and Autumn
are marked by
pleasant climate in
most areas of Iran.
In general, it can
be said that summers
are hot and dry and
winters harsh and
snowy. However,
given the climatic
diversity, tourists
may enjoy winter
sports in the
mountains while it
is possible at the
same time to bathe
in the warm waters
of southern shores.
Seas
The Persian Gulf in
the south, the
Caspian Sea in the
north. The Caspian
Sea is the largest
landlocked body of
water in the world.
There are number of
internal lakes, such
Orumiyeh -the
largest one (4,366
square km) situated
in Western
Azarbaijan Province.
Major islands in the
Persian Gulf are:
Qeshm (1,491 sq.
km), Kish (89.7 sq.
km) and Lavan (76
sq. km).
Natural resources
petroleum, natural
gas, coal, chromium,
copper, iron ore,
lead, manganese,
zinc, sulfur, stone
Tourism
For aficionados of
nature, history,
culture and art,
Iran is rich and
attractive.
Beautiful landscapes
plus spellbinding
subterranean caves
(such as AliSadr),
combine with
archaeological
sites, historical
monuments,
magnificent ancient
cities. Museums rich
with artifacts,
historic mosques,
shrines, mausoleums,
fire temples, tombs,
bazaars are found
across the country.
Stone relics,
traditional pottery,
ceramic, brass work,
wood carving,
traditional
costumes, miniature
paintings, murals,
carpet and rug
shops, teahouses
with traditional
singing, restaurants
with delicious
Persian dishes,
caviar and
king-shrimps, and
sport entertainment
such as skiing, are
all part and parcel
of Iran.
Modernity as
symbolized by
cinema, music
concerts and plays
provides interesting
counterpoint to the
ancient and Islamic
architecture & art
that characterizes
Iran.
Isfahan, Mashhad,
Shiraz, Tabriz,
Tehran, Hamadan,
Kerman, Bam,
Kermanshah, Yazd,
and Caspian Sea, are
main tourist
centers. Autumn and
Spring are the best
seasons for travel
in Iran. There is a
variety of
transportation and
hotel accommodations
for different
categories of
tourists. Domestic
flights, trains,
buses, taxis, and
private
cars-for-hire are
available. Major
crime is generally
not a problem for
travelers in Iran.
The traveler must
posses a valid
passport and proper
entry visa. This is
a necessity for
checking into
hotels, boarding
flights etc.
Incoming and
outgoing passengers,
are allowed to bring
in and take out
authorized goods,
besides their
personal belongings.
Travelers are
permitted to bring
in the country any
amount of foreign
currencies, if
declared and
registered in the
forms provided at
the points of entry.
Accordingly, at the
time of departure,
they may take out
the money they
declared on their
arrival.
Travel to Iran
Dornagasht,
Adventure Travel to
Iran
IranTrip, Iranian
Travel Agent and
Tour Operator
IranParadise, Tour
and Travel Agency
International organization participation
CCC, CP, ECO, ESCAP,
FAO, G-19, G-24,
G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICRM,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, INMARSAT,
INTELSAT, IOC,
Interpol, IOM
(observer), ISO,
ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW,
OPEC, PCA, UN, WFTU,
UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU,
WCL, WHO, WMO, WTO |
