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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
Iran Trip, Iranian Travel Agent and Tour Operator
Iran Paradise, 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
Iranian Travel Agencie |