Where is iran located on the political map of the world. Medical assistance and insurance. International dialing code

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

Main information and geographical characteristics of Iran

The main part of the country is located on the plateau. Here the plateaus are interspersed with high plains. In the northern part of the country is mountain range Elbrus. It is separated from the Caspian by a small strip of lowland. The climate of the country is continental subtropical. Iranian rivers are usually shallow. The largest lakes are Urmia and Khamun.

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

Economy

A significant part of the area of ​​Iran is rich in minerals. These are manganese, copper, chromium, zinc ores. Foreign trade products are carpets and nuts, as well as fishing products. Most of the population living in Iran Square is employed 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 are unemployed. Mostly it is young people.

Population

More than 60 ethnic groups live in Iran. For the most part, these are Persians - they live in the southern and central parts countries. Gilyans, Mazenderans, Talyshs live in the north. On western territory- Kurds, Lurs, Bakhtiars, in the east - Pashtuns, Balochs, Tajiks. All these peoples are ethnically close to the Persians. It is known that Iran is one of the "youngest" countries in the 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 total number 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, Kurds live (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 national composition are Persians. Therefore, they speak Persian, or Farsi. Persian is the most common among the Iranian group of the Indo-European language tree. It has about 50 million speakers in Iran (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 United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. For writing, 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 items from Arabic. This language influenced Farsi as a result of conquests in the 7th century.

From the history of Farsi

Farsi has enough ancient history. The first sources of the Old Persian language date back to the 1st millennium BC. e. Then cuneiform writing was widely used. The most ancient version of Farsi has undergone transformations for 2 thousand years. Approximately in the 1st millennium AD. e. the era of the Middle Persian language came, which was the official language in the 7th century AD. e. political transformations took place - the Persian territory was conquered by the Arabs. At this time, the Middle Persian language was used by small Zoroastrian diasporas and the ethnic group of Parsis in India.

The next stage is the New Persian language, which included elements from Arabic. Starting from the 9th century, Farsi very quickly acquires the status of a second literary language throughout the Muslim world. At present, Farsi differs significantly from classical New Persian. 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. State structure Iran is such that the president occupies the second place in terms of 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 who visit 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 a cultural practice has been adopted in Iran 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 being a local brand is a manifestation of true Persian courtesy. 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: "The Persian carpet is impeccable in its imperfection, accurate in its inaccuracy." Where did it come from? In fact, errors and inaccuracies in Persian carpets are deliberately created. So the Persians strive to show that only God can create something perfect. If we ignore the issues of religion, it is an important element of the culture of the Iranians. After all, it is over 2,000 years old. The ability to weave carpets is especially common in some regions - for example, in the city of Kashan, they are passed down from generation to generation.

The Qur'an describes the process of creation of the world: the earth was created by Allah in six days. The first in the infinite emptiness of the Cosmos were seven heavenly bodies. And then a beautiful carpet of earth spread 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 prosperity in the East is measured by how many carpets a person has in a house, and how expensive they are. If for some reason a family could not afford to cover their home with carpets, they 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 in the world. the globe. It is from here that its rarest species is supplied, and at the same time the most expensive. called "Almas" costs more than 2 million rubles for just one kilogram. The age of fish for this caviar is from 60 to 100 years.

And that's not all. The Iranian tradition of saffron production dates back about 3 millennia. 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

Mesopotamia was once located on the site of modern Iraq and Iran. The cities that appeared here in antiquity are called the cities of Mesopotamia by modern historians. They reached the peak of their power during the Sassanid era. The 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. Inhabitants Ancient Greece considered Zarathustra a philosopher and astrologer. They also renamed the prophet Zoroaster (from the ancient Greek "aster" - "star"). According to one version, the prophet lived in the II millennium BC. e. According to researcher Mary Boyce, Zarathustra lived in the territory to the east of the Volga.

Manichaeism arose around the 3rd century. n. e. His prophet was Mani, or Manes, who delivered sermons in 240 CE. 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 hostilities took place here more than 30 years ago. This misconception has spread because of tourists who tend to confuse Iran and Iraq. Despite the fact that Iran is adjacent to Afghanistan and Iraq, it is absolutely safe to be on its territory. Iranians are very friendly and hospitable people. Every year everyone comes here to relax. large quantity tourists from different countries.

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, take part in elections. In Iran, it is customary for women to wear headscarves, but they do not wear a veil covering their faces. Among the beautiful half there are many fashionistas who love bright clothes.

Iran is in third place in the world in terms of the number of UNESCO cultural monuments, behind only Italy and Egypt. The history of Ancient Persia, the heir of which is modern Iran, has more than 5 thousand years. Previously, a saying was common among Iranians: "Whoever visited Isfahan saw half of the world."

On the territory of Iran, which is sometimes also called Persia, once upon a time one of the most ancient civilizations in the world was formed. This country has amazing nature, beautiful mountains, ancient cities, balneological, ski and beach resorts. Iranians are very hospitable people and always welcome tourists who respect their religion.

Iran is located in Southwest Asia. In the north and northeast, Iran borders with Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Armenia, in the west with Iraq, in the northwest with Turkey, and in the east with Pakistan and Afghanistan. In the north, the shores of Iran are washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea, and in the south of the country there is the Arabian Sea (Persian and Oman Gulfs), which is part of the Indian Ocean. The total area of ​​this country is 1,648,000 sq. km, including the islands, and the total length state border– 5,619 km.

Located in the west of Iran mountain system Elburz, as well as the Caucasus Mountains. At all, most Iran is occupied by mountains. The most high peak countries - the Damavend peak, whose height reaches 5,604 meters. However, in the east of Iran there are deserts (for example, Deshte-Kevir), and in the north there are large plains.

The capital of Iran is Tehran, which is now home to more than 8.8 million people. Archaeologists say that the settlement of people on the site of modern Tehran already existed 7 thousand years ago.

The official language in Iran is Persian, belonging to the Iranian group of Indo-European language family.

About 98% of Iran's population is Muslim (89% are Shiite Muslims and 9% are Sunni Muslims).

According to the current Constitution of 2004, Iran is an Islamic republic. Its head is the President, elected by popular vote for a term of 4 years. The President appoints the members of the Council of Ministers by decree and supervises their activities.

However, in Iran, the real power does not belong to the President, but to the "Supreme Leader", who is elected by the Council of Experts, consisting of 86 people (they are elected by the people).

A special role in Iran belongs to the Council of Guardians of the Constitution (12 people). Members of this Council should check whether the laws adopted in Iran comply with the Constitution.

The right of legislative initiative in Iran has a unicameral parliament - the Majlis. It consists of 190 deputies elected by direct universal suffrage for 4 years.

The climate in Iran is changeable. In the north, along the coast of the Caspian Sea, the climate is subtropical. In the northwest, winters are cold (there is often a lot of snow), spring and autumn are warm, and summers are dry and hot. As for the south of the country, there are warm winters and hot summers. July in southern Iran average temperature air - + 38С. In general, in general, in Iran mean annual temperature air - +16.7C. The average annual rainfall is 213 mm.

Average air temperature in Iran:

January - +3.5С
- February - +6С
- March - +11С
- April - +16C
- May - +28C
- June - +27С
- July - +30С
- August - +28.5С
- September - +25C
- October - +18С
- November - +10C
- December - +5.5С

In the north, Iran is washed by the waters of the Caspian Sea. In the south of the country is the Arabian Sea (Persian and Oman Gulfs), which is part of the Indian Ocean. The length of the coast of the Caspian Sea in Iran is 740 kilometers, and the coast along the Persian and Oman gulfs stretches for 2,440 kilometers.

Iran consists of several islands. The most famous of them is, perhaps, the island of Kish in the Strait of Hormuz, which is now popular place for a beach holiday.

There are not many rivers in Iran, which determines its geographical location. Moreover, only one of them is navigable - Karun, flowing in the north-west of the country.

In the north-west of Iran, there is also the most famous Iranian lake - Urmia, whose salty waters are similar in chemical composition to the water of the Dead Sea. Due to its waters, Lake Urmia is a very popular balneological resort in Iran.

According to archaeological finds, people south coast The Caspian Sea (i.e., on the territory of modern Iran) lived already in 10,000 BC. Scientists believe that this region managed to avoid all the "charms" of the Ice Age.

Previously, Iran was called Persia, however, now this name is also still used.

The first mention of the Iranians refers to 844 BC. (in Assyrian texts). In the 6th century, Cyrus the Great founded the Persian Empire, which was destroyed in 330 BC. Alexander the Great.

In the following centuries, Persia was invaded by the Parthians, Arabs, Mongols, and Seljuk Turks. In the middle of the 7th century, after Persia was conquered by the Arabs, Islam began to spread among the Iranians, displacing them ancient religion Zoroastrianism.

Since 1502, representatives of the Safavid dynasty became the Shahs of Iran. In this era, the Iranian Shah Ismail I makes the Shia trend in Islam the state religion.

In the XVIII-XIX centuries, Iran fell into the sphere of interests of Great Britain and Russia. In the early 1900s, oil intensified the rivalry between Britain and Russia for influence in Iran.

In 1921, an army officer, Reza Khan, established a military dictatorship in Iran, and in 1925 he appropriated the title "Shah" to himself.

In 1979, a revolution took place in Iran, as a result of which the Shah was overthrown, and Iran became an Islamic republic. The founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran is Ayatollah Khomeini.

Iran is a very conservative Muslim country. Perhaps that is why the Iranians have retained many of their customs and traditions. Most Iranian customs and holidays are religious in nature.

In March, Iranians celebrate Novruz, which is dedicated to the beginning of the New Year (the Iranians have their own calendar). Before the onset of the New Year, Iranians always arrange a general cleaning in their homes, and also buy sweets and dried fruits for themselves, their relatives and friends.

Iranian cuisine is very diverse. Each province of Iran has its own culinary traditions and very tasty meals. The main food products are rice, meat (including chicken meat), fish, vegetables, nuts, spices. However, Greek, Arabic, Turkish, and even Russian culinary traditions had a noticeable influence on Iranian cuisine.

Ash-e Jow - a thick soup made from barley beans, lentils and vegetables;
- Fesenjan - chicken with pomegranates in nut sauce;
- Kalam polo - pilaf with the aroma of cinnamon and saffron;
- Khoresht ghaimeh - stew with peas;
- Khoresht-e Aloo - lamb stew with prunes;
- Kookoo - omelette with spices;
- Kufteh - spicy cutlets;
- Reshteh Polo - "green" pilaf (it is green because of the herbs added to it).

Alcoholic drinks are prohibited in Iran (instead of alcohol, Iranians smoke hookah). But the traditional Iranian soft drinks include yogurt, coffee and tea.

To get acquainted with the sights of Iran, this country needs to be visited several times. Perhaps, in terms of the number (and their beauty) of sights, Iran is second only to such countries as Italy, Greece and Bulgaria. The top ten Iranian attractions, in our opinion, may include the following:

1. Tomb of the Persian king Cyrus II in Pasargadae
2. Sad Abad Museum in Tehran
3. Golestan Palace in Tehran
4. Friday Mosque in Isfakan
5. Meybod fortress
6. Imam Mosque in Isfakan
7. Tomb of poet Hafez in Shiraz
8. Ancient ziggurat Choga Zembil
9. Zoroastrian shrine in Yazd
10. The ruins of the Assassin fortress of Alamut

The largest Iranian cities are Karaj, Tabriz, Mashhad, Shiraz, Isfahan, Ahvaz, and, of course, Tehran.

It would seem that there should be many beach resorts in Iran, because. the country has access to the Caspian and Arabian seas, however, this is not yet the case. This is influenced, in part, political situation in which Iran is located.

However, in last years in Iran, beach resorts are still beginning to develop. So, on the island of Kish (Shahid-Zakeri, Laft, Bahman), located 17 km from the coast of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, many high-class hotels have been built in recent years, and excellent conditions for diving have been created. You can swim and sunbathe on Kish Island in winter. By the way, on the island of Kish, men are forbidden to wear ties, because. they "are part of the Western way of life".

There are many mineral springs in Iran (most of them are in the north-west of the country). The most famous balneological Iranian resort is Temriz. In the vicinity of Termiz there is Lake Urmia, the water of which is similar in composition water of the dead seas.

We have already said that there are a lot of mountains in Iran (especially in the west of the country). Therefore, it is not surprising that several ski resorts- Dizin, Toshal and Ab Ali. The skiing season is from November to April. By the way, the Ab Ali ski resort was built back in 1953.

Of course, the infrastructure of Iranian ski resorts is not very developed. But these resorts have mineral springs, which slightly compensate for the shortcomings of the infrastructure.

Tourists from Iran bring carpets, bags, scarves, blankets, towels, dishes, ceramics, baskets, jewelry, various sweets, hookahs as souvenirs.

Banks:
Mon-Fri: 07:30-16:00
Thursday: 07:30-12:00

The Islamic Republic of Iran (abbreviated as Iran) is located in Asia. Until 1935, this country was called Persia. This is one of the largest states in Southwest Asia, with a territory of one million 648 thousand square kilometers and a population of more than 74 million people. The capital of Iran is the city of Tehran.

Iran on the world map:

Sorry, the map is temporarily unavailable Sorry, the map is temporarily unavailable

In the north, Iran borders on land with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan and has access to the Caspian Sea. The southern part of the country is washed by the Persian and Oman gulfs. In the west of the country there is a border with Turkey and Iraq, and in the east - with Afghanistan and Pakistan. The total length of land borders is 5,440 kilometers. There are 27 stops (provinces) in Iran. Most of the territory is occupied by mountains. The highest point in the country is the Damavend volcano, whose height is 5610 meters above sea level. The east of Iran is the vast deserts of Deshte-Kevir and Deshte-Lut, surrounded by mountains of the Iranian Highlands. Along the coasts of the Caspian Sea there is a coastal lowland. In the southwest is the Khuzestan Plain. The central regions are occupied by the Iranian plateau.

Iran Map with Landmarks.

Please note that the most favorable time to visit the country is the autumn and spring months. Winter pastime in Iran presented ski holidays(in the mountains the skiing season lasts until April).

Iran: where is the former Persia?

The location of Iran (the capital is Tehran) is Western Asia: on the east side with it is granite, on the north -, on the west -, on the northwest -, and. In the southern part, Iran has access to the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, and in the north - to the waters of the Caspian Sea.

Former Persia lies on the Iranian plateau (exception - Caspian coast and Khuzestan). The west of Iran is occupied by Elburz and Caucasus mountains(the title of the highest point was assigned to the 5600-meter peak Damavend), and the east - saline deserts and semi-deserts (Dashte-Lut, Deshte-Kevir). As for the flat terrain, it dominates the northern part of Iran along the Caspian Sea and in the southwest of the country along the Persian Gulf.

Iran is divided into stops - Qom, Khuzestan, Hamadan, Lorestan, Semnan, Alborz, Kurdistan, Zanjan, Fars and others (there are 31 in total).

How to get to Iran?

Direct flight - lasting 3 hours 45 minutes, operated by Aeroflot and Iran Air (flights do not depart only on Tuesdays and Mondays). If desired, a transfer can be made at, which is why the duration of the trip will be more than 9 hours, at - 10 hours, at or - more than 8 hours.

Those who went on a flight will stop for a rest at the airport and spend 13 hours and 15 minutes on the road. Those who fly to Shiraz from will be offered to make a stop in Doha (14.5 hours will be spent on the road), (the trip will stretch up to 12.5 hours) or Tehran (the journey will take about 9 hours).

Moscow route - involves a flight through Tehran (passengers will be on the spot after 10.5 hours) or Istanbul (the journey will end after 11 hours).

Vacation in Iran

Guests of Iran are recommended to relax in Tehran (famous for the Yousef Abad Synagogue, Golestan Palace, Azadi Tower, 435-meter TV Tower, St. Sargis Cathedral, Carpet Museum, Mellat Park, Negarestan Garden) and (of interest is the mausoleum of Imam Reza, a caravanserai, more than 100 years, where the market is located, as well as Sangi Hill, to the top of which steps are carved into the rocks, and the mosque of the 15th century, dedicated to 72 martyrs, and which is decorated with beautiful lamps and mosaics of the late Timurid period), go to the Shirabad waterfall (consists of 12 cascades, the largest of which falls from a height of 30 meters) and in national park Khabr (there you can climb the 3800-meter Chakhbarf or 3700-meter Serita, meet mountain sheep, Iranian antelope, wolves, golden eagles, wobblers).

Iranian beaches

beach holiday in Iran, it is developed on the island of Kish, whose beaches are divided into male and female (you will have to pay $ 1 for the entrance to the women's beach), are covered with sand and are famous for their cleanliness.

Souvenirs from Iran

You should not return from Iran without saffron and other spices, three-dimensional wood carvings, gold items, Nishapur turquoise jewelry, Persian carpets, Iranian sweets, rose water, porcelain, ceramics, painted oriental dishes, colorful stoles, “pateduzi” bedspreads, Iranian henna, Damascus steel products.

Basic moments

Iran occupies most of the Iranian Plateau, which is an alternation high plains, mountain ranges and intermountain basins. Low-lying plains adjoin the shores of the Caspian Sea, the Persian and Oman gulfs. In most of the country the climate is continental, on the Caspian coast - subtropical, on the coast of the Oman and Persian Gulf - tropical, with negligible precipitation and high "greenhouse" air humidity. In the Iranian Highlands, the amount of precipitation does not exceed 100–200 mm per year; in some desert interior regions, precipitation does not occur for several years in a row. natural conditions allow the cultivation of a variety of crops - rice, tea, date and banana palms, pistachios, citrus fruits. The country's economic development is based on oil and gas resources and the developing mining industry.

Iran, along with Afghanistan, is one of the most multinational states in Southwest Asia. More than 60 peoples, ethnic groups and tribes live here, belonging mainly to the Iranian group of the Indo-European language family (75%) and to the Turkic group of the Altaic language family (over 20%). The main ethnic community - the Persians - makes up the majority of the urban population, and also occupy the main area of ​​​​settlement in the central and southern parts countries. Gilans, Mazenderans, Talyshs, ethnically close to them, live to the north, Kurds, Lurs, Bakhtiars live to the west, Afghans, Balochs, Tajiks live to the east. The second largest ethnic community - Azerbaijanis - inhabits the northwestern part of the country.

The capital of Iran, Tehran, located on a vast foothill plain, at the foot of the extinct volcano Elburs, is a major transport hub, industrial and Cultural Center. Of the architectural sights of the capital, the Golestan Palace, the Sepah-Salar Mosque, the buildings of the Mejlis and the Senate deserve attention. Other big cities countries: Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, Urmia, Abadan, Khorramabad, Kerman, Mashhad.

Geography

Iran is located in southwest Asia at the crossroads of the Near and Middle East. From the north it is washed by the Caspian Sea, from the south by the Persian and Oman Gulfs. Iran borders on land with seven states: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey; and also shares the waters of the Caspian Sea with Russia and Kazakhstan, the Persian Gulf - with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf of Oman - with Oman.

In terms of area (1,648,000 km²), Iran ranks 17th in the world. Five countries like Germany could fit on the territory of Iran. Simultaneously, the area of ​​Iran doubled less area Yakutia. Almost the entire territory of the country, with the exception of lowland Gilan, Mazandaran, Golestan in the north and Khuzestan in the southwest, is located at an altitude of at least 900 m above sea level. Stretches from northwest to southeast Mountain chain Zagros.

Due to the arid climate and mountainous terrain, Iran does not have sufficient water resources. There is only one navigable river in the country - Karun. The largest lake is Urmia, located in the northwest of Iran. However, Iran is rich in minerals, especially hydrocarbons. Iran has the world's third largest oil reserves, the second - natural gas, as well as large reserves of coal, iron ore, manganese and zinc.

Most of the territory of Iran is covered with mountains. The main mountain system, Zagros, stretches for 1500 km from northwest to southeast. A considerable number of Zagros peaks exceed 3,000 meters in height, and in the highest mountain region (Fars) - 4,000 meters. Another large mountain range, Elburz, runs along the Iranian coast of the Caspian Sea. Located in Elburz highest point Iran - the extinct volcano Damavend (5610 m above sea level).

The area between Zagros and Elburs occupies the Central Plateau, where average height above sea level is 900 m. East End The plateau is covered by two large saline deserts: Deshte-Kevir and Deshte-Lut. With the exception of a few oases, this area is uninhabited.

There are only two vast lowlands in Iran: the Khuzestan plain in the southwest, and the Caspian coastal lowland in the north. The first is a continuation of the Mesopotamian plain and goes deep into Iranian territory for 120-160 km, where it is interrupted by the Zagros chain. The height throughout the plain does not exceed 3-5 meters above sea level. The Caspian lowland stretches along the seashore for 640 km, while its width does not exceed 40 km. In some places, the coastline from the foot of Elburz is separated by 2 km. Along most of the coast of the Persian and Gulf of Oman, there are no plains, as such, since the Zagros comes directly to the coastline.

Not in Iran major rivers, and only one navigable - Karun. The Karun originates in the Zagros (Chekharmekhal and Bakhtiaria) and flows mainly through the territory of Khuzestan in the south-west of the country. River transport is used mainly in the 180-kilometer section downstream between the cities of Ahvaz and Khorramshahr, where the Karun flows into the Arvandrud (Shatt al-Arab). The total length of the river is 950 km. Other significant rivers are Karkhe, Dez and Zayande. A large number of small short rivers available in northern Iran, especially in Mazandaran. All of them flow down from the Elburz and flow into the Caspian (Khazar) Sea. The rivers in central Iran are full only during the short period of snowmelt in the mountains, but they dry up most of the year.

One of the few reservoirs that never dry up is the salt lake Urmia in South Azerbaijan. However, the salt content there is so high that it does not allow life to be maintained in the lake. Other lakes: Bakhtagan, Gavkhuni, Neyriz, Parishan, Neor, Save. Small group salt lakes located in the east of Iran - in Sistan and Balochistan, near the borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan. Few fresh lakes there is in Elburs, north of Tehran.

Climate

Iran has an arid climate. Along the coast of the Caspian Sea - subtropical. In the north of the country in winter, the temperature often drops below 0°, in July it occasionally reaches 30°. The average annual rainfall is 1700 mm in the humid western regions and 680 mm in the dry eastern regions. In summer the temperature in the deserts can exceed 40°C. In the west of Iran, in the Zagros mountains, in winter the temperature is almost always below 0 °, heavy snowfalls and strong wind. The coast of the Persian and Oman Gulfs is located in a zone of hot and humid tropical climate, the temperature ranges from + 16-18 ° C in winter to + 24-30 ° C in summer, with a relatively large amount of precipitation (up to 1000 mm on the slopes of the mountains, up to 600 mm in flat areas).

Population

Since the Islamic Revolution, the country has experienced a constant population explosion. The population has doubled since 1979 and reached 70 million in 2006. However, in the 1990s, the birth rate dropped markedly. According to forecasts, by 2050 the population of Iran will reach 90 million. More than a third of the population has not reached the age of 30. The literacy rate is 79%. Urbanization - 67%. The fertility rate is 1.87 (2.15 is necessary for the reproduction of generations). The number of Iranians abroad exceeds 4 million. Most of them emigrated to Australia, North America and Europe after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. In addition, more than a million refugees live in Iran itself - mainly from Afghanistan and Waziristan.

The Iranian Constitution guarantees to every citizen, regardless of nationality and religion social protection: pension, unemployment benefit, disability, medical insurance. Education and medical services- free. The average annual per capita income is $2,700 (2006). About 40% of the population lives below the poverty line.

Iran is a multinational state. Persians make up the majority of the country's population. 70% of the population belong to the Iranian peoples - the ancestors of the Indo-European group of languages, descended from the Aryan tribes, who migrated to Iran from Central Asia. The majority of the population except official language(Farsi) speaks at least one of the Iranian languages. Persians and Iranian peoples make up 64% of the population, Azerbaijanis - 21%, Kurds - 9%, Arabs - 2%, Balochs and Turkmens - 2% each. In addition, there are national minorities of Armenians, Assyrians, Georgians and Pashtuns.

Most Iranians are Muslims. 90% of the population are Shiites (state religion). Along with Iraq and Bahrain, Iran is one of the states where Shiites make up more than half of the population. Iran has two sacred cities Shiites: Mashhad (mausoleum of Imam Reza) and Qom. Qom is the most important religious center of Islam with many Islamic seminaries and universities.

Sunnis make up about 8% of the population. The other 2% are Baha'is, Mandaeans, Hindus, Yezidis, Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians. The last 3 are officially recognized and protected by the constitution. Seats in the Majlis are reserved for representatives of these religions, while even Sunnis do not have such a privilege. At the same time, the Bahá'ís (the largest religious minority) are being persecuted. Political system Iran, based on religion, implies the truncation of some rights and freedoms. In particular, there is gender inequality (although this is not as pronounced as in most other Muslim countries). Homosexuality is a criminal offense and in most cases punishable by death.

Iranian state-owned energy company Pars Special Economic Energy Zone announced in June 2008 that all unmarried and unmarried employees are required to marry by the end of September. Failure to comply with the leadership's decision is punishable by dismissal. Iran's economic problems have led to a demographic crisis - many Iranians are in no hurry to start a family. Civil servants loyal to state policy seek to change the existing order of things. For example, the governor of one of the provinces of Iran announced that only family people will be hired in state institutions.

Economy

Iran is the largest economy in the Middle East, second only to China, Japan, India and South Korea in terms of GDP in Asia.

Iran is an agro-industrial country with a developed oil industry. There are oil refineries and petrochemical enterprises. Extraction of oil, coal, gas, copper, iron, manganese and lead-zinc ores. Mechanical engineering and metalworking, as well as the food and textile industries are widely represented. Handicraft production of carpets and hardware is developed. Among the most important agricultural crops: wheat, barley, rice, legumes, cotton, sugar beets, sugar cane, tobacco, tea, nuts, pistachios. Animal husbandry is based on the breeding of sheep, goats, camels, and cattle. 7.5 million hectares of land are irrigated.

45% of budget revenues come from oil and gas exports, 31% from taxes and fees. In 2007, GDP was $852 billion. GDP growth amounted to 5%, in 2008 growth of 7% is predicted. Inflation is 15.8%.

Main export items: crude oil and refined petroleum products, metal ores, agricultural products. The main import items are products of heavy engineering and the chemical industry, automobiles, iron, steel, minerals, textiles, and paper.

Iran's main trading partners include China, Japan, Germany, Russia, France, Italy and Turkey. Iran is a key member of the Organization economic cooperation, which includes the countries of Southwest Asia as well as the Central Asian republics former USSR. Iran is actively developing economic ties with the countries of the region and aims to form a free trade area similar to the EU. Free commercial and industrial zones are being developed in Chabahar and on the island of Kish.

culture

Religiosity is a special cultural trait of Iran as it permeates every aspect of life. Islam is the belief in one God and people are obliged to serve him in accordance with the Qur'an. IN Arabic"Islam" means submission, and "Muslim" is one who submits to the will of God. The most visible manifestations of Shiism in Iran are modest dress and visits to mosques. Official language Iran - Farsi, Persian language from the Indo-European group. In addition, several regional languages ​​are spoken here, such as: Azar, Kurdish, Arabic, and Lori (which is spoken by the Lori); and in a variety of languages ​​​​of 26 provinces of Iran: Gilaki, Baluchi, Turkmen, etc. After the adoption of Islam, the Arabic alphabet entered the Persian language. But there is no standard way to transliterate Farsi into English.

Most Iranian art forms originated before the Arab conquest and reached their peak during the Islamic era, although the art is rarely without religious influence. Persian carpets are an integral part of the culture of Iran and the origin of this art form falls on the fifth century BC. The most melodic music in Iran is the music of national minorities: Turkmens, Azars, Kurds and Lores. Persian poetry originated in the 9th century CE. and slowly developed from epic poems to unrhymed couplets, which form the bulk of Iran's poetic treasury. Persian painting developed during the period of the Seljuk dynasty, but was practically forgotten until the 16th century, and then transformed into calligraphy. In addition, the Persians produced metal products, glass, and wooden products. Great films are being shot in Iran right now. Mohsen Makhmalbaf, the author of the film Gabbeh, is the most criticized and revered Iranian director.

Iranian cuisine is one of the most delicious in the world. The main ingredients are rice, bread, fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs. The meat, usually lamb or mutton, is cut into small pieces and cooked in a small amount of fat, but it rarely dominates the table. But unfortunately, travelers rarely get to try true Iranian cuisine, as in most local restaurants, you will be offered two or three types of kebabs or rice with vegetables. So for true gourmets, it is better to try to visit the locals or visit a restaurant in a high-level hotel. Tea is the national drink of Iran, here it is drunk strong and hot. But everywhere in Iran you can buy all kinds of fruit juices, milkshakes and yogurts. Alcohol in Iran is forbidden by religion, although it is allowed to be drunk for religious purposes, in mosques and by non-Muslims with special permission.

Story

The first people who founded settlements on the Iranian plateau were, apparently, the Elamites. They founded the city of Shush in the southwest. Aryas came here in the second millennium BC, and brought with them their culture and crafts. Persian history dates back to the 6th century BC, when King Cyrus the Great from the Achamenite dynasty began to rule the region. The Akhamenite dynasty founded the first Persian Empire, which was the prototype of modern Iran.

In the 4th century BC. Alexander the Great captured Persia after his victories over Greece, Egypt, Turkey and Iraq. Despite three peace proposals from Darius III, Alexander captured Shush. From here he sent his armies over the mountains to the east and captured Persepolis. After the death of Alexander in 323 BC, his empire was divided into three parts, which were ruled by three dynasties. The Seleusids became the rulers of Persia. But they found it difficult to control the numerous ethnic groups, in particular the nomadic Parthian tribe, who occupied most of Persia and held out until the 3rd century AD. The Sassanites came from the central regions of Persia, which were not under the control of the Parthians. They brought Zoroastrianism with them and began to develop cities and trade, but were eventually forced out by the Arabs who came here in 637 AD.

The Arabs held out here until 1050. They drew local population converted to Islam, introduced the new Persian alphabet and introduced Islamic culture. The Arabs were driven out by the Turks, who took Isfahan in 1051. Despite numerous uprisings, the Turks maintained their dominance in the region until the 13th century, when the hordes of Genghis Khan came here. At the end of the 14th century, the power of the Mongols weakened, and the Timurid dynasty reigned in Iran, but it was under pressure from the tribes of Turkmens, Ottoman Turks and European colonists-Portuguese.

Under the rule of the Safavid dynasty (1502-1722), Iran was part of the vast Persian Empire. Great Shah Abbas I and his successors preserved Shiism and restored Isfahan, but this dynasty fell in the early 18th century, after the invasion of the Afghans. The Afghans were not able to hold power for a long time, and for some time Iran was ruled by successive weak kings. In 1779, Agha Mohammed Khan united the Turkish Gayars, entered Iran and moved the capital to Tehran. Gayar rulers ruled Iran peacefully until 1921 and managed to maintain neutrality during World War I, but could not avoid the partial occupation of Iran by British forces seeking control of the oil.

One of the last Gayar rulers put forward the idea of ​​elections and a legislative assembly (Majlis), but the idea was realized only by the Persian Khan Reza, who became the first prime minister in 1923. Before him was the task of pulling the country out of the abyss of the Middle Ages. Iran (the name was officially adopted in 1934) remained neutral during World War II, but the British and Russians established spheres of influence here to keep Germany out. In 1941, Reza was exiled to South Africa and his son Muhammad Reza followed him. After the war, the Americans insisted on the Russians leaving the region, and the young Muhammad Reza, who received absolute power, began to establish contacts with the West.

Over the next 30 years, they became a confrontation between the power of Reza, who received the title of Shah, and his regime of repression and modernization. The economic situation in the country has gone from bad to worse due to the mismanagement of oil, and the opposition has met these changes with sabotage and mass demonstrations. The Shah's response was desperate armed attempts to suppress the rebellion with the support of the Americans, but in the end, the Shah nevertheless left the country on January 16, 1979. And a few weeks later, the acclaimed leader Ayatollah Khomeini, head of the opposition, returned from exile to cheers from millions. The nationalism and Islamic fundamentalism of the ayatollah led to the creation of the Islamic Republic and the US lost its influence here.

After some time, the ayatollah was proclaimed Imam (leader), and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein made an adventurous attempt to seize Khuzestan, a region of Iran. It was an ill-conceived move that dragged both countries into a war in which hundreds of thousands of people were killed on both sides. Peace negotiations began only in 1988. Western countries and the USSR supported Iraq, choosing the lesser of two evils, but at the same time they supplied Iran with weapons, albeit at inflated prices.

On June 4, 1989, Ayatollah Khomeini died, leaving the question of a successor open. Two months later, Hoyjat-ol-Eslam Rafsanjani became the elected president, and the former president, Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, became the Supreme Spiritual Leader of the country. The United States imposed a trade embargo on Iran, explaining that Iran supports Islamic terrorist groups, destabilizing the situation in the Middle East. After the 1997 election of moderate Iranian President Hojat-ol-Eslam Seyyed Mohammed Khatami, many hoped that relations with most of the world's countries would improve. But Iran's relations with Germany (and most of Europe) deteriorated sharply in 1997 after it was proven that the Iranian government was involved in the murder of Iranian Kurdish émigrés in Germany a few years earlier.

The election of Khatami allowed women and young people to hope that the strictest rules of Islam would be somewhat relaxed. There is now a national dialogue in the country to ease government restrictions between Khatami's liberalists and Khomeini's fundamentalists, but so far it has only led to more censorship and more discrimination.