Iran Travel Guide
Basic Facts of Iran
Location: west Asia; belongs to Middle East countries.
Area: 1,648,195 sq km (636,372 sq mi)
Population: around 80,000,000
Language: Persian
Currency: IranianRial
Time Zone: UTC+3:30; Summer UTC+4:30
Capital: Teheran
Administrative Division: 30 provinces
Religions and Beliefs: Shiah Branch of Islam
Tourists usually start the travel from Teheran, going southward through Isfahan, Yazd, Shirazi and then back to Teheran in a clockwise route. Another travelling route starts from Teheran heading directly to Shirazi, then goes northward through Persepolis, Kazan and finally back to Teheran. Tourists can visit Iran’s National Rug Gallery, the wind tower in middle provinces and ride a camel in the desert.
Top Destinations & Attractions：
Teheran: Tehran Bazaar, Golestan Palace, National Jewelry Treasury, Tabiat Bridge
Shirazi: Citadel of Karim Khan, Nasir-Ol-Molk Mosque (Pink Mosque), Eram Garden
Yazd: Amir Chakhmaq Complex, Bagh-e-Dolat Abad Garden,Towers of silence
Isfahan: Naqsh-E Jahan Square (Imam Square), Music Museum, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque
Best Time to Visit Iran
The best time to visit Iran is from March to May and September to November. Generally speaking, spring and autumn are Iran’s best travelling seasons. However, the best season to visit Iran’s southern coast is winter. Iran’s summer is extremely hot, especially in Teheran and Persian Gulf when it is foggy. In winter, the night is quite cold but it is always sunny. Therefore, if you want to go there during the slack season, winter is a better choice than summer. Avoid visiting there in July and August.
Transportation in the country is convenient that visitors can choose according to their needs. Planes, trains, buses, taxis and metros are available. There are international flights from Europe, Asia, Australia and America. Visitors in Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan can take a train or bus to Iran. Those who in Dubai and Qatar can go there by ship.
The public security in Iran is relatively good. If tourists choose independent travel, it is not advised to enter Iran from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq. It should be avoided to travel in remote areas alone. Keep your money and identity document well and don’t carry large amounts of cash outside.
History
In 625BC, the Medes first unified the country. The Achaemenid Empire (550-330BC) was the first time that the Iranians ruled the Middle East and Central Asia. Then the Seleucid, the Parthian Empire and the Sassanid Empire successively ruled the country over a span of one thousand years. After going through several short-lived dynasties, the Safavid Empire unified Iran as an independent country again in 1501. In 1979, the regime was changed from imperial system to Islamic Republic of Iran.
Geographical Features
Most parts of the country are on plateau and the altitude is generally between 900 and 1,500meters (2,953-4,922 feet). In the southwest, there are Elburz Mountains and Corbett Mountain. In the east, there is Ghean-Birjiand Highland. In the north, there are Alborz Mountains with the most famous ski resort in the world and of which Mountain Damavand is the highest peak in the Middle East with a height of 5,610 meters (18,406 feet). The middle part is the dry basin with many deserts.
Iran Travel Guide