Iran neighboring countries. Lands of legendary Persia, or Iran on the world map. Medical care and insurance

Iran is a Middle Eastern state most recently (before 1935) known as Persia. The oldest cities on Earth are located on the territory of the country.

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Iran is a Middle Eastern state most recently (before 1935) known as Persia. On the territory of the country there are the most ancient cities on Earth, religious shrines of Zoroastrianism and Islam, and numerous natural attractions. The country has gigantic oil reserves and is one of the key players in global commodity markets.

Location, composition and cities

The Islamic Republic of Iran is located in the western part of Asia, washed by the Caspian Sea, the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.

Administratively, Iran consists of 31 ostans, which in turn are divided into smaller administrative-territorial units - Shahrestans and Bakhshis.

Largest cities: Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Karaj and Tabriz (population more than 1 million people).

The capital of Iran is the city of Tehran.

Borders and area

The country shares land borders with countries such as Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Iran covers an area of ​​1,648,000 square kilometers.

Location on the map

Timezone

Population

75,078,000 people.

Language

The official language is Persian (Farsi).

Finance

The official currency is the rial.

Medical care and insurance

The highest level of medical care is observed in Tehran. Emergency and primary care are free, all further treatment is very expensive. It is recommended to be vaccinated against cholera, polio, yellow fever, diphtheria, tuberculosis, hepatitis A and B and tetanus. Before visiting the country, be sure to purchase international health insurance.

Mains voltage

230 Volt. Frequency 50 Hz.

International dialing code

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- a state in southwest Asia. It borders with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan in the north, Afghanistan and Pakistan in the east, and Iraq and Turkey in the west. In the north it is washed by the Caspian Sea, and in the south by the Gulf of Oman, the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.

The name of the country comes from the ethnonym of the Aryan tribe - “noble”.

Official name: Islamic Republic of Iran

Capital:

The area of ​​the land: 1.648 million sq. km

Total Population: 71 million people

Administrative division: 24 ostans (provinces).

Form of government: Theocratic parliamentary republic.

Head of State: President (secular head of state), elected for a term of 4 years. The head of the country (spiritual head of state) is the Ayatollah.

Population composition: 51% are Persians, 24% are Azerbaijanis, 8% are Gilaks and Mazandarans, 7% are Kurds, 3% are Arabs, 2% are Lurs, 2% are Balokhi, 2% are Turkmens.

Official language: Farsi (Persian). Turkic dialects, Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic, etc. are also used. English and French are used in business circles.

Religion: 90% are Shia Muslims, 8% are Sunni Muslims, and the remaining 2% are Zoroastrians, Christians, Jews and Baha'is.

Internet domain: .ir

Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz

Country dialing code: +98

Country barcode: 626

Climate

Iran has a tropical desert climate. Only in the northern part of the country, on the plains along the coast of the Caspian Sea, is the subtropical continental type of climate dominant.

On the coast of the Caspian Sea in winter, during the daytime the air warms up to +12..+14 degrees, and at night it cools down to +4..+6 degrees. In the summer, during the day the air temperature reaches +30..+32 degrees, at night - 22..24 degrees Celsius.

In the mountainous regions of Iran, the climate depends on the altitude of the area.

In the northern (Elborz) and northwestern (Iranian Azerbaijan and northern Zagros) parts of the country at altitudes from 1500 to 2000 m in January, night temperatures can reach -10 degrees, daytime temperatures - 2..4 degrees Celsius. During the summer months in these regions, the air cools down to +15..+17 degrees at night, and warms up to +33..+35 degrees during the day. At the southern foothills of the Zagros Mountains in Tehran in winter, during the daytime the temperature is 7..9 degrees, at night 0..-2 degrees, in summer the corresponding figures are +37 and +24 degrees.

In the southern part of the Zagros Mountains and in the mountainous regions of the eastern part of the country in winter, during the daytime the air warms up to +10..+12 degrees, and at night it cools down to 0..-2 degrees; in the summer, daytime air temperatures reach +36. .+38 degrees, at night - 20..22 degrees Celsius.

In the central regions of Iran on the desert Iranian plateau in winter, during the daytime the air temperature reaches +14..+16 degrees, and at night - 2..4 degrees Celsius. In the summer, during the day the air here can warm up to +40 degrees and above, and at night it cools down to +27 degrees.

On the coasts of the Persian and Oman Gulfs, winters are mild and summers are hot and humid. In winter, daytime air temperatures reach +20..+22 degrees, and night temperatures - 10..12 degrees Celsius. In the summer, during the day on the coasts the air warms up to +40 degrees, and at night it cools down to +30 degrees.

Precipitation in Iran falls mainly from November to April, and the monthly precipitation rate in the summer period (June-September) most often does not exceed 10 mm. In the mountainous regions of the western and northern parts of the country, on the windward western slopes and on the coast of the Caspian Sea, up to 1,700 mm of precipitation falls annually. The leeward eastern slopes of the mountains receive about 400 mm of precipitation per year. In the central arid regions of Iran and the east of the country, annual precipitation ranges from 100 to 300 mm. On the coasts of the Persian and Oman Gulfs, about 600 mm of precipitation falls per year.

Geography

Iran is located in the southwestern part of Asia. The area of ​​the country is 1648 thousand square meters. km. In the northwest, the state borders with Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey, in the west with Iraq, in the east with Afghanistan and Pakistan, and in the northeast with Turkmenistan.

Iran is washed from the north by the Caspian Sea, from the south by the Persian and Oman Gulfs. Iran is a mountainous country. Its western part is occupied by the Zagros Mountains, whose maximum elevations reach 4000 m. The coast of the Caspian Sea in the north of the country is bordered by the Elborz Mountains. The highest point of Iran is located here - the extinct Damavand volcano (5610 m). Between the Zagros and Alborz mountains lies the vast Iranian plateau with average altitudes of about 1200 m.

In the eastern part of the plateau are the deserts of Dashte-Kevir and Dashte-Lut. From the northeast, the Iranian plateau is limited by the East Iranian Mountains, and from the south by the Makran Mountains. The plains stretch in the north of the country along the coast of the Caspian Sea, in the southwest along the coast of the Persian Gulf and in the southeast along the coast of the Gulf of Oman.

The longest river in Iran is Karun (890 km). It originates in the Zagros Mountains and flows into the Persian Gulf. Also in the Zagros large rivers such as Karhe, Dez and Zayande originate. In the north of the country there are small rapids rivers that originate in Elburz and flow into the Caspian Sea. In the central part of Iran, rivers appear only when the snow melts in the mountains, and during the rest of the year their beds dry up. In the northwestern part of Iran there is the country's largest lake - the Urmia salt lake with an area of ​​4868 square meters. km.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

In the arid conditions of Iran, the distribution of vegetation cover depends on the degree of moisture in the territory and human economic activity, especially farming and grazing. The northern most humid slopes of Elborz up to an altitude of 2500 m are covered with dense broad-leaved forests with a predominance of oak, hornbeam, maple, beech, ironwood, elm, plane tree, ash, walnut, and plum. On the coast of the Caspian Sea, impenetrable subtropical forests intertwined with vines are found in places.

The northern and central regions of Zagros, once occupied by oak forests, are now largely destroyed by intensive indiscriminate logging and excessive grazing by sheep and goats. They were replaced by sparse shrubs with a significant participation of oak, the role of which gradually decreases as one moves to the south, where there is less rainfall, xerophilic open forests of pistachio, cherry plum, almond, as well as steppe and semi-desert vegetation.

In other mountainous regions, woody vegetation occurs locally in the most humid places along rivers and in intermountain valleys. Tugai and swamp vegetation is widespread along the river valleys in the southwest of the country. On the coast of the Persian Gulf, mangroves are found in places.

Steppe and desert vegetation is characteristic of many low mountains. The steppes are dominated by perennial and annual grasses, wormwood, and astragalus. Steppes are often interspersed with areas of bushland. The deserts are dominated by saxaul, camel thorn, comb grass, saltwort, and aristida.

Vast areas of the interior plateaus of Iran are practically devoid of vegetation cover due to lack of moisture and soil salinity. Areas of quicksand are also barren.

Animal world

Iran's fauna is rich. In order to preserve its species diversity, about 30 reserves have been created. Ungulates are widespread. Among them, the most notable are the gazelle, ibex, Iranian fallow deer, urial mountain sheep, bearded goat, mouflon, kulan, common gazelle, and wild boar. Brown and white-breasted bears are found in the mountains.

Typical predators are leopard, jungle cat, manul, jackal, wolf, striped hyena, caracal, cheetah and common mongoose.

There are numerous rodents and birds (grouse, partridge, houbara bustard, Caspian snowcock, tupach, gray francolin, chukar, buzzard, white stork, gray crane, little bustard, etc.). Many birds nest and winter in Iran. The avifauna of the coasts of the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf is especially rich (flamingos, pelicans, waders, geese, ducks, marbled teal, etc.).

The fauna of reptiles is rich. In the floodplain of the river Serbaz in Balochistan is home to the marsh crocodile. Green sea turtles are found in the coastal waters of the Persian Gulf. The waters of the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf abound with valuable species of commercial fish.

Attractions

Iran is one of the centers of civilization on the planet, the birthplace of one of the largest empires in the world and one of the most original countries in Asia. A vast country stretching from the warm sea to the snowy mountain peaks, Iran has a unique set of truly interesting monuments that can be considered the heritage of the entire civilization. The richest historical relics are hidden in the depths of the country: ancient ruins, dilapidated cities, statues and archaeological excavations of ancient dynasties are found here at every turn.

Travelers will find here ancient cities, many of which feel quite comfortable in our time, unique examples of art and architecture, waterless deserts with precious oases and green forests of mountainous regions, an amazing history, only official sources of which go back about 5 thousand years, and original peoples with their unique culture.

Examples of thousands of years of coexistence of the most diverse religious communities and one of the most closed societies on earth, a colossal cultural heritage, carefully preserved, despite any vicissitudes of history, and centuries-old traditions of decorative and applied arts. All these contrasts make Iran a pipe dream for many travelers.

Banks and currency

The official currency of Iran is the Iranian rial. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100 rials, as well as coins of 500, 250, 100 and 50 rials.

In the country, prices are very often indicated in another unit - toman. 1 toman is equal to 10 rials. This is done in order not to waste time counting large sums, because 1 US dollar is approximately equal to 10,000 Iranian rials. In this regard, it is always worth checking in what units the price is indicated: in rials or tomans. Moreover, in order not to say unnecessary words, sellers tend to say that this or that product costs, for example, 2 tomans, implying that it costs 2000 tomans. Therefore, you should ask sellers to give the exact amount.

Banks are open from 08.00 to 15.00-16.00 from Saturday to Wednesday, some branches are open from 08.00 to 20.00. Closed days are Thursday and Friday, although large banks are open on Thursday from 8.00 to 13.00.

In tourist areas, US dollars, pounds sterling and euros are accepted for payment; in other parts of the country, their use is technically illegal, although this rule is widely ignored.

Currency can be changed at Tehran airport, in some hotels or banks, in exchange offices (very few) on the streets and markets, and only at the official rate. You can also make an exchange with numerous private money changers on the market, who usually offer a more favorable rate, but officially this is considered illegal, although in practice it is not prosecuted. Recently, the difference between the official exchange rate and what is offered on the black market has been reduced to a minimum. In this regard, it hardly makes sense to contact private money changers.

Credit cards and traveler's checks are accepted for payment only in major banks and hotels in the capital and on Kish Island. It is almost impossible to use them in other areas. Also, owners of non-cash means of payment issued by US and European banks often face great difficulties.

Due to the trade boycott of Iran and the difficulties with using plastic cards from the world's leading systems, you can use a special “tourist card” from Parsian Bank, which can be used to pay in several tens of thousands of shops, shopping and tourist centers, and when leaving the country, convert the balance into any currency . However, it is unlikely that a tourist will have time to process such a card.

Useful information for tourists

As a result of the unstable situation, there are practically no foreign tourists in the state.

There are many legends and fairy tales about the fascinating and mysterious Persia in ancient times. Interest in the country of the finest silks, exquisite carpets and incredible palaces has not waned for centuries, and, despite cultural and religious differences, the country attracts tourists from all over the world.

Iran It's not easy to find on the world map. We will try to help you with this.

Iran on the world map in Russian

The history of the area spans almost five thousand years. A long period Persian Empire was one of the largest states in the world and the most influential eastern region.

As a result of the overthrow of the monarchical system in 1935, a new state emerged on the world stage - the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Visa regime

Iran is a country of strict morals and rules, so you should take care of everything related to legislation and the procedure for processing documents in advance.

Do I need a visa and how to get it?

Visa for traveling to Iran necessary. Registration occurs in two ways: you can receive the document at the Moscow consulate (the procedure is completed in about 4-5 days) or upon arrival at the airport.

Documentation that will be needed:

1. operating with blank pages;
2. colored photos on a white background 3.5x4.5 cm (it is advisable for women to be photographed with their heads covered);
3. extract from bank account;
4. questionnaire, completed by the applicant;
5. confirmation armor hotel or tour;
6. medical insurance;
7. check about payment of the visa fee.

The document is issued for a period of 14 days. The abolition of visas for trips to Iran for Russians is expected. Recently, an amendment was introduced to local legislation - a citizen cannot enter Iran if he visited Iran in the current year.

In what cases is an entry permit not required?

The only region where a representative of any country can stay for up to 14 days without a visa is Kish Island. However, all tourists must register at the local police station.

Holidays in the country

Iran is an amazing state with a thousand-year history, capable of capture the imagination any traveler. Many tourists are put off by the ban on alcohol and women's clothing standards. However, those who have already visited Iran claim that the people there are friendly and very friendly.

The main thing is to respect religion, culture, observe rules, traditions and standards of decency.

Iranian resorts on the Caspian Sea

To the east of Azerbaijan, which borders Iran, is the Caspian coast, whose length is 7204 km. It is the largest salt water body on the planet, and Wonderful suitable for a complete vacation.

This place is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and green areas of Iran. Of interest to Russian tourists here is not only a siesta on the beach, but also a chance to wander through endless green fields and meadows, to see the process of growing and harvesting tea and local fruits.

Gilan. Historically, this region has been associated with Russia for almost 100 years. At first, Gilan became part of the empire, then became dependent on the USSR, which is why it is still a favorite vacation spot for Russian tourists.

Now the largest settlement in the region is Rasht. Near it is the Anzeli port. The region is valued by fishermen due to the abundance of trout that lives in the large Sefidrud River.

This province is one of the few areas in Iran suitable for growing tea and rice. Rasht is famous for its old bazaar, park and city hall.

Of the hotels it should be noted Kadus Hotel, located right on the coast. Within walking distance are shops and restaurants, a hospital building and customs.



Ramsar. The city is located in the province of Mazanderan, between the sea and hills covered with dense forests. The most popular are the baths and healing springs. The summer palace of the last Shah was based here - at the beginning of the 20th century, Ramsar began to be actively used as a recreation center.

There are hotels in the city Forest Resort with access to the beach. Apartment rooms at the Ramsar Kowsar Hotel with views of the green hills are also in demand.

• Babulsar. The region is not remarkable for its cultural monuments, but has a developed infrastructure, a large number of hotels and accommodations. It is the cultural center of the Caspian region.

The beaches in Babulsar are pebbly, swimming is possible only in specially designated areas (the ban should not be ignored).

• Nowshehr. The resort has flourished since the reign of Shah Reza, when it served as a summer residence for the royal family and officials. The climate here is more humid than in other regions of Iran. Within the city there are many inexpensive hotels (Apadana Hotel, Nasim Hotel) and private villas.



Chalus. This port is a favorite vacation spot for Tehran residents due to its developed infrastructure and the presence of numerous hotel complexes. Tourists are often attracted by the Namak-Abrud entertainment center, which includes a hotel complex, recreation areas with designated areas on the beach and a funicular.

Another attraction of Chalus is the palace Chaikhoran, which served in ancient times as the residence of the shahs.

Men and women swimming apart, in specially designated areas. At the same time, girls are allowed to appear on the beach only in closed clothes.

To avoid health problems, read about what water temperature is best to swim in the sea.

Khalij-e Gurgan. A bay separated by a single oblique from the sea. Its banks are part of the Miankale Nature Reserve.

There is a city on the shore of the bay Behshahr. Unlike other seaside resorts, there are not a large number of hotels here, so travelers are advised to stay in Behshahr while passing through.

Gulistan Province. Located on the border with Turkmenistan, it is covered with steppes and has a dry, arid climate. In the broad-leaved foothills of Elbrus there are forest park areas of Sorkh Pushte and Shast Kulo.

The first one in Iran is also famous Gulistan National Park, covering a vast area of ​​tropical forest. Animals and birds live here, many of which are listed in the Red Book. This makes Gulistan an exceptional place to study Iran's rich fauna.

There are campsites on the territory of forest parks, but you can also stay in local hotels.

Hotels provide the best service Nahar Khoran And Azin. Shelter can also be found in neighboring cities: Gonbed-Kavus, Azarshahr or Minudasht.

One of the features of the Caspian coast is bioluminescent plankton, which creates a bluish glow to the coastline.

Residents of the region claim that swimming in such waters causes discomfort, so evening bioluminescent beaches are usually deserted. But many tourists are willing to endure minor inconveniences in order to see and participate in this fantastic natural installation.

Resorts in the Persian Gulf

Kish Island. The main beach resort of Iran, which is in great demand among Russian holidaymakers. It is famous for its network of sports institutions - diving and equestrian schools, courts and training grounds.

There are a huge number of hotels on the island, ready to offer service of any level. The best hotel is considered to be five star Dariush Grand Hotel with modern design, swimming pools and access to the sea.

However, there are no legal beaches for men and women to swim together on Kish Island.

More budget accommodation options include the futuristic-style Eram and Sadaf. Hotel Shaygan Suitable for families - there is plenty of entertainment for children, including playgrounds, slides and playrooms.

Bandar Abbas. Port city in the south. The climate here is warm and dry, with temperatures reaching 49°C in summer. History buffs may be interested here in the old city harbor and the Kolah-e Farangi mansion.

There is a nature reserve not far from the city Kuh-e Kashar, which presents the flora and fauna of the steppe and mountain zones. Bandar Abbas is not very popular among holidaymakers, so prices in local hotels are very affordable.

1. Hendurabi. A small island in the Persian Gulf. Characterized by high humidity and thin air, rocky and flat terrain. At the moment, no one lives on Hendurabi, since there is no drinking water or electricity, but this area is often visited by exotic lovers. You can get to the island by boats that go there several times an hour.

Ski resorts

Active recreation in the mountains of Iran occurs from November to April. The main ski resorts of the country are located in the regions Mazandaran And Kalardasht.

Dizin. A few hours' drive from Tehran, the best Iranian mountain resort, Dizin, is located. A decent altitude (from 900 to 3500 m), magnificent snow and steep slopes attract both beginners to skiing and extreme sports enthusiasts. The resort is well equipped - four-seater ski lifts go from the village to the slopes.

There are only two hotels in Dizin, but there are cottages and villas that are often rented by skiers. Attractiveness It is popular among tourists due to the liberality of local morals - this is the only place in Iran where women can walk with their heads uncovered.

• Toshal. It is based just 60 km from the capital of Iran, so this resort is considered “home” by local residents. Two mountain peaks merge into one huge natural barrier, forming several main descent areas of different difficulty levels.

Resort services are provided by a four-star hotel at the foot of the mountain slope.

• Shemshak. The oldest resort in the east of the country, closing the “big three” ski slopes in Iran. Among fans of this sport, it is believed that the descent on Shemshak is much more difficult than on Dizin. The slopes are stepped, and the tracks replace huge virgin fields. There are two hotels for accommodation, as well as several restaurants with excellent cuisine.

Sights - photos and descriptions

The birthplace of one of the oldest civilizations in history is rich in cultural monuments, archaeological relics, and destroyed cities. The contrast of Iran's nature is also admirable - travelers can enjoy views of the endless desert, subtropical thickets or snow-capped peaks.

Architecture

1. Kashan monuments. Kashan is a city in the center of the country, famous for its numerous architectural monuments. Within the city limits there is the Meydan Mosque of the medieval period, the Zeinaddin Minaret, the tomb of Shah Abbas I and the palaces of the 19th century aristocracy.

Ruins of Persepolis. This city was one of the capitals of the Persian Empire during the Achaemenid dynasty. The story of his fall is legendary - according to legend, Alexander the Great in 330 BC. e. ordered the destruction of Persepolis in revenge for the troubles caused by the Persians to the Greeks.

The conqueror, in the midst of a festive feast, together with the getteras and warriors accompanying him, set fire to the palace, symbolically putting an end to the power of the Persian state.

Fragments of many buildings from the ancient period have been preserved, the most famous of which is the Apadana Palace with its ceremonial hall.

2. Imam Square or Naqsh-e Jahan. It was built in the 16th century, during the reign of Abbas. A huge territory with gardens and fountains includes a central palace - the residence of the ruling dynasty, a mosque and a bazaar famous throughout the country.
3. Mashhad. A city in northeastern Iran, founded in the 1st millennium AD. e. A city of pilgrimage for many Muslims and a sacred place for Shiites. It houses the mausoleum of Imam Reza, built during the Safavid era, a museum, a public library and a temple complex.
4. Pasargadae. The first capital of the Persian state. Territory in the province of Fars, near the city of Shiraz. Of historical value are the four-level gardens, the Toll-e Takht fortress, the ruins of royal palaces and the main treasury of the East - the burial place of Cyrus the Great, which Alexander the Great visited during his campaign.

What to see in nature?

• Dune desert. In the central region of Iran, the clay desert is a landmark. At different parts of the road it looks either completely flat or hilly, with dunes and sandy mounds, sometimes almost white to match the color of a salt marsh, sometimes dark with a large amount of pebbles.

Nowadays, it is not necessary to stand in lines to buy a ticket for any type of transport. Read about how to buy an electronic plane ticket and use it.

• Red Desert. Driving along the ancient road from the city of Qom, travelers can enjoy magnificent views of the blood-red heath, which takes on this color due to the outcropping of various rocks.
• Bishe Waterfall in Lurestan. It is located in a small village of the same name, which can be reached by train, admiring the mountain scenery. Merging at the top of the mountain range, streams of water fall into the mountain gorge from a height of 45 meters.
• Maharlu. A deep pink lake in Fars province. The incredibly bright color is due to the high concentration of salt. There are no fish in the reservoir, but flamingos can often be seen here.

Learn some interesting facts about Iran from the following video:

Why Iran didn't want to be called Persia. More about this in our review.

Iranian stamp from the Pahlavi dynasty period with the laconic name “Iran”.

The stamp was issued on the occasion of the coronation of the third wife of the last Shah of Iran as shahbanu (empress) in 1967.

The stamp depicts the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and his wife, Empress Farah.

In 1935, the first Iranian ruler from the Pahlavi dynasty, Reza, sent a letter to the League of Nations with a request to use the word “Iran” (Erān) for the name of his country, instead of the term “Persia”. He justified this by the fact that within his country, the word “Irani” is used to designate what is known in the world as Persia (the term comes from “country of the Aryans,” which goes back to the self-name of the Aryan tribe).

Shah Reza Pahlavi noted that “the Persians are only one of several Indo-Iranian ethnic groups in Iran. Their home region of Pars (Fars) was the center of political power in ancient times - during the Achaemenid Empire, and in the Sassanid Empire. However, during the period of the conquests of Alexander the Great, the name of the region Pars (Fars) was spread by the Greeks to designate the name of the entire country."

The Achaemenid state (existed from 550 BC to 330 BC) was officially called Aryanam Xsaoram (from ancient Persian “Aryan power”; taking into account the modern name of the country, it can also be translated as “Iran power”).

Immediately before the Arab and Islamic conquest of Persia, during the era of the rulers of the Sassanid dynasty (224-652 AD), who were fire-worshipping Zoroastrians, Persia was officially called Eranshahr, i.e. Iranian Empire.

During the period of the Turkic Qajar dynasty, which ruled the country from 1795 to 1925 od and preceded the last monarchical dynasty in Persian history - the Pahlavis, a country known in the world as Persia, however, it was still officially called Iran. Namely, “The Highest State of Iran” (Dowlat-e Eliyye-ye I ran). But in the outside world the name of the country was translated as Persia.

Under the Pahlavi dynasty (rules from 1925 to 1979), Iran was officially called the Shakhanshakh state of Iran (Doulat Shohanshokhi-ilon (Persian. داorateت شاهی ایرا), where the ancient title of Persian rulers of the Shahinshach (the King of the Kings) is used in the name.

Since 1979, after the fall of the monarchy, the country has been officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran (Persian: Jomhuri-ye Eslomi-ye Iron).

In conclusion, it is worth noting that the Persians themselves began to use the term “Persia” to name their country in a number of publications and books in the new and recent historical period, under the influence of the West, as if borrowing this term back from the ancient Greeks.

Additionally:

Around the name of Iran

“When compiling a historical overview of Iran, it is necessary to take into account the fact that Iran, as a geographical concept, does not coincide either with the area of ​​settlement of Iranians as an ethnographic unit, or with the area of ​​influence of Iranian culture, or with the area of ​​distribution of Persian, i.e., the Iranian literary language . In ancient times, India and Iran were equally occupied by a people who called themselves Arians (Aryans) - arua in India, ariya or airya in ancient Iranian dialects.

In the inscriptions of King Darius, the word “Aryans” apparently refers exclusively to the population of Iran;

India and the Indians were named after the border river Sindhu, in Iranian pronunciation Hindu(Indian c generally corresponds to Iranian h), on modern maps Indus; from the Persians this name passed to the Greeks and, like most Greek names, came into use in modern geographical science.

In the Iranian scripture (Avesta), the term Hindu is used as the name of a river and speaks of the “seven Indus” (harta hindu), which fully corresponds to the Indian term sapta sindhavah. The Indian “Seven Rivers” received its name from the Indus, Kabul and the five rivers of the “Punjab” (i.e., “Five Rivers”), the Chinab with its tributaries Jhelum and Ravi, and the Setlej with its tributary the Bias.

Arias are opposed to tours(tura, adjective tuirya) and sarima (sairima); if by the latter, as is believed, we must understand the Sarmatians or Sauromatians of Greek writers, then we mean the Central Asian people, according to most scientists, related to the Iranians; it is very likely that the Turs were of the same origin and also lived in Central Asia.

In other words, the population of Iran isolated itself equally from the Indian, “Aryan” and related Central Asian peoples. The word "Iran", originally Eran, appears later and is the genitive plural of the word airya (airyanara), in the sense: (country of) the Aryans. We first meet it in the Greek form Ariane from Eratosthenes (III century BC), from whom Strabo borrowed this information.

The border of this “Ariana” or Iran was considered to be: the Indus in the east, the Hindu Kush and the mountain ranges to the west of it in the north, the Indian Ocean in the south; the western border ran from the Caspian Gate, i.e., the mountain pass east of Tehran, along the line separating Parthia from Media and Karamania (Kerman) from Persis (Fars). Obviously, the term “country of the Aryans” was understood not in an ethnographic, but exclusively in a political sense; this was the name of the country united under the rule of the Arsacid dynasty, which rebelled against the Greek conquerors; the areas that remained under Greek rule, both in the west (the Seleucid state) and in the northeast (the Greco-Bactrian kingdom) were not considered Iran.

Subsequently, under the Sassanids, a region with a Semitic population, Babylonia, where the capital of the “king of kings” was located, was not only classified as Iran, but was even considered “the heart of the Iranian region.” And at present, in Persia itself, Iran is understood as the state of the Shahin Shah.

The origin of the word Iran and the ethnographic term "Aryans" from which it comes were forgotten already in the Middle Ages; from the word “Iran” to designate the population of this country the term “Iranians” (Persian, Irani) was formed. Iran was most often contrasted with "Turan", a word derived from "tura" in the same way as Iran from "aria"; only later was “Turan” identified with “Turkestan,” the country of the Turks.

The words “Iran” and “Turan” received a completely different meaning in geographical science; Iran was understood as a plateau representing an internal basin and bordering in the north with the basin of the Caspian and Aral seas, in the south, west and east - with the basin of the Indian Ocean, between the Tigris and Indus; near Turan is the Aral Sea basin. The words “Turan” and “Turanians” were sometimes used in a broader sense, uniting under these terms the entire Central Asian world from the southern Russian steppes to China, and contrasting the “Turanians” not only with the “Iranians”, but with the “Aryans” in general.

The name “Aryans” again became known to Europeans in the 18th century. (not from living speech, but from the most ancient written monuments of India and Iran). After the closeness of the languages ​​of India and Iran with European languages ​​was established, Aryans (Arier, Ariens, Aryans) began to call all representatives of the linguistic group embracing the peoples “from India to Iceland.”

Subsequently, instead of this term, others were proposed: Indo-Europeans, Indo-Germans (especially in German science), Ario-Europeans, retaining the name “Aryans” only for Asian Indo-Europeans, whose ancestors actually called themselves by this name; nevertheless, the word “Aryans” is still sometimes used in science in the same sense, even in Germany.

Aryans, in the sense of "Asiatic Indo-Europeans", were divided into two branches, Indians and Iranians. Iranians in the linguistic sense began to be called, regardless of political borders, peoples united into one whole according to linguistic characteristics. When at the end of the 19th century the idea arose to compile a set of scientific material related to the field of “Iranian philology” (languages, literature and history of the Iranians), the linguistic department of this set included dialects from the easternmost of the Pamirs, Sarykol, to western Kurdish, in the eastern parts of the Asia Minor peninsula, i.e., approximately from 75 to 38 degrees east. debt, from Greenwich. In addition, the dialect of the so-called Ossetians (who call themselves Iron), living separately from others, “Iranians” in the Caucasus, west of the former Georgian military road, is considered.

The area of ​​distribution of Iranian dialects in ancient times was even wider, although in many cases the question of which peoples spoke Iranian remains controversial.

An even larger area embraced the area of ​​distribution of the main literary language of Iran, the so-called “New Persian”, formed already under Islam; it was written far beyond the borders of linguistic Iran, from Constantinople (Turkish Sultan Selim II, 1566-1574 was one of the Persian poets) to Calcutta and the cities of Chinese Turkestan. The historian of Iranian culture must take into account both this fact and the even more numerous translations from Persian and imitations of Persian models.” (From the collection “History of the Middle East”, published in Russia in 2002).

Iran is one of the largest Asian countries. It borders countries such as Iraq, Türkiye, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Armenia. The capital is the city of Tehran. Iran is a country on whose territory thousands of years ago the first centers of human civilization were located. What are the main features of this country?

Main information and geographical characteristics of Iran

The main part of the country is located on Here plateaus alternate with high plains. In the northern part of the country there is the Elbrus mountain range. It is separated from the Caspian Sea by a small strip of lowland. The climate of the country is continental subtropical. Iranian rivers are usually low-water. The largest lakes are Urmia and Hamun.

The entire area of ​​Iran is divided into 27 districts, or "stops". The largest cities are Isfahan, Tabriz, Urmia, Abadan, Mashhad. Iran also includes some islands located in the Persian and Ottoman Gulf. The total area of ​​Iran is 1.65 million km2. The state is in 17th place in the world in terms of territory. The currency unit is the rial.

Economy

A significant part of Iran's area is rich in mineral resources. These are manganese, copper, chromium, zinc ores. Foreign trade products include carpets and nuts, as well as fishing products. Most of the population living in Iran is engaged in agriculture. One of the main problems is low soil fertility and lack of fresh water for irrigation. About a third of the total population is unemployed. Mostly these are young people.

Population

More than 60 ethnic groups live in Iran. Mostly these are Persians - they live in the southern and central parts of the country. In the north live Gilyans, Mazenderans, and Talysh. In the western territory there are Kurds, Lurs, Bakhtiaris, in the eastern territory there are Pashtuns, Balochis, Tajiks. All these nationalities are ethnically close to the Persians. It is known that Iran is one of the “youngest” countries in the whole world. The number of residents whose age does not exceed 15 years is approximately 25%. The next largest ethnic group is Azerbaijanis. According to various estimates, their number ranges from 20% to 40% of the total population. Why do so many Azerbaijanis live on both sides of the Iranian border? This is due to the fact that historically the territory of present-day Azerbaijan is part of the Iranian state system. They are part of Iranian society. And in the western part of Iran live Kurds (from 5% to 10% of the total). The total population is 78.4 million people.

Languages ​​in Iran

What languages ​​are most common among Iranians? There are many misconceptions about this. The majority of Iranians are Persians by nationality. Therefore, they speak Persian, or Farsi. Persian is the most widespread among the Iranian group of the Indo-European language tree. It has about 50 million speakers in Iran (which is more than 80% of the total population).

Farsi is not only the official language in Iran - it is spoken in Tajikistan and the Pamirs. There are also a few communities that use Farsi in Iraq, the UAE, and Yemen. For written speech, Farsi speakers use a slightly modified Arabic alphabet - several letters have been added to it that are not in Arabic itself. The Persian language contains a large number of borrowed lexical units from Arabic. This language influenced Farsi as a result of conquests in the 7th century.

From the history of Farsi

Farsi has a fairly ancient history. The first sources of the Old Persian language date back to the 1st millennium BC. e. At that time, cuneiform writing was widely used. The oldest version of Farsi underwent transformations over the course of 2 thousand years. Around the 1st millennium AD. e. the era of the Middle Persian language began, which was the official language in the 7th century AD. e. political transformations took place - Persian territory was conquered by the Arabs. At this time, Middle Persian was used by small Zoroastrian diasporas and the Parsi ethnic group in India.

The next stage was the New Persian language, which included elements from Arabic. Starting from the 9th century, Farsi very quickly acquired the status of a second literary language throughout the Muslim world. Currently, Farsi differs significantly from the classical New Persian language. These differences are visible in pronunciation, writing, and vocabulary. The basis for oral speech, corresponding to stylistic and grammatical norms, is the Tehran dialect.

President of Iran

The current leader of Iran is Hassan Rouhani, who won the elections on May 20, 2017. In total, about 41 million Iranians took part in the elections. 57% of the total number of voters voted for the incumbent president, while 38% voted for his opponent, Ibrahim Raisi. The political structure of Iran is such that the president ranks second in influence - in the political hierarchy, the head of state is subordinate to the religious leader (“ayatollah”). The religious head is elected by a special council. Now it is Ali Khamenei.

An unusual tradition of communication

Tourists visiting Iran for the first time are usually confused. When they want to pay for taxi services, the driver refuses the money. They come to the store - the same thing happens. What is the reason? It turns out that Iran has adopted a cultural practice under the intricate name “taarof”. Of course, as in other countries, people do not receive free goods in stores or services. The practice of taarof is a local brand - it is an expression of true Persian politeness. If someone is invited to visit or to dinner, then the duty of the invitee is to play along with the inviter and first refuse. The practice of taarof in Iran is suitable for almost any communication situation.

Famous Persian carpets

There is a saying among the Persians: “A Persian carpet is impeccable in its impeccability, precise in its imprecision.” Where did it come from? In fact, errors and inaccuracies in Persian carpets are created intentionally. This is how the Persians strive to show that only God can create something ideal. Apart from issues of religion, it is an important element of Iranian culture. After all, it is already more than 2 thousand years old. The ability to weave carpets is especially common in some regions - for example, in the city of Kashan they are passed on from generation to generation.

The Koran describes the process of creation of the world: the earth was created by Allah in six days. Seven heavenly bodies were the first to appear in the endless emptiness of Space. And then a beautiful carpet of earth spread out beneath them. Therefore, the carpet in the Eastern tradition is associated with a mini-model of the kingdom of God on earth. The level of well-being in the East is assessed by how many carpets a person has in his home, and how expensive they are. If for some reason a family could not afford to cover their home with carpets, it evoked compassion. Historians believe that carpets were first invented by ancient Asian nomadic tribes.

Real gold of Iran

It is known that Iran is the largest producer of caviar, one of the most expensive products on the entire globe. It is from here that its rarest type and at the same time the most expensive is supplied. called “Almas” costs more than 2 million rubles for just one kilogram. The age of the fish for this caviar ranges from 60 to 100 years.

And that's not all. The Iranian tradition of saffron production dates back about 3 thousand years. About 90% of all exports of this spice are produced here. At the same time, saffron is more expensive than many jewelry. Its price is about 4 thousand rubles per gram.

Beliefs of Ancient Iran

On the site of modern Iraq and Iran there was once Mesopotamia. The cities that appeared here in ancient times are called by modern historians the cities of Mesopotamia. They reached the peak of their power during the Sassanid era. Ancient Iranian urban culture was formed under the influence of Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism.

Zoroastrianism is a very ancient monotheistic belief. It is named after the founder named Zarathustra. The inhabitants of Ancient Greece considered Zarathustra a philosopher and astrologer. They renamed the prophet Zoroaster (from the ancient Greek “aster” - “star”). According to one version, the prophet lived in the 2nd millennium BC. e. According to researcher Mary Boyce, Zarathustra lived in the territory east of the Volga.

Manichaeism arose around the 3rd century. n. e. His prophet was Mani, or Manes, who preached in 240 AD. e. in the capital of the Sassanid Empire - Ctesiphon. Prophet Mani was sure that all religions of the world are one. The basis of Manichaeism was the opposition between good and evil.

Myths about Iran

In fact, Iran has a very high level of public safety. The last military actions took place here more than 30 years ago. This misconception has spread due to tourists who tend to confuse Iran and Iraq. Despite the fact that Iran neighbors Afghanistan and Iraq, it is absolutely safe to be on its territory. Iranians are very friendly and hospitable people. Every year, more and more tourists from different countries come here to relax.

Iran also has a high level of education and culture, especially among women. More than half of university students are girls. Women also work in offices, can do business, and take part in elections. In Iran, it is customary for women to wear headscarves, but they do not wear a full-face burqa. Among the fair half there are many fashionistas who love bright clothes.

Iran ranks third in the world in terms of the number of UNESCO cultural monuments, second only to Italy and Egypt. The history of Ancient Persia, of which modern Iran is the heir, goes back more than 5 thousand years. There used to be a saying among Iranians: “Whoever visited Isfahan has seen half the world.”