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..:::IRAN:::..
The Islamic
Republic of Iran covers 1,648,195 sq kms in southwestern Asia. Its
strategic position, its vast resources, including petroleum, natural gas
and minerals, its population amounting to 60 millions, and its unique
cultural life make it a country of high importance. Both history
and geography of Iran make it a land of highly popular with visitors. The
former gives it numerous spectacular monuments, and the latter makes it
enjoy a climate full of variety. The northern
coastal region with luxuriant forests; southern coasts with forests of
tidewater; deserts with their mysterious calmness; impressive lakes such
as Urrnia, Hamun, Parishan, Ne'ur, Sama and Zarivar; and snow-clad
mountains of Damavand, Dena, Karkas, SabaJan, and TochaJ are among the
beauties of nature, being of great appeaJ. CLJMATE Iran's
complex climate ranges from subtropical to subpolar. It is mild and humid
in the Caspian region, but warm and humid in the southern shores. The
north-western and north-eastern areas are cold and dry, while the central
part has a desertic climate. The heights of Zagros and A1borz enjoy mild
weather in summer. Because of this complex climate Iran is famed for
having four distinct seasons at the same time, so that one can go skiing
in the northern mountains and swimming in the southern waters in the same
season. Plant and
animal life is of great variety. Wildlife includes leopards, bears,
rnoullon, ibex, wild ass and wild boars. Studies have reveaJed the
presence of a remarkably wide variety of reptiles like crocodiles and
turtels. Some 200 varieties of fish live in the Persian Culf Sturgeon is
one of 30 species found in the Caspian Sea. HISTORY Iran
is a cradle of human civilization. In the late 4th and early 3rd millennia
BC Elamite civilization rose on the lowland Khuzistan, in the South-west
of Iran. In the late 2nd millennia BC the Iranians migrating southward
from the Central Asian Steppes, began to settle in the Iranian plateau. By
the mid-9th century BC two major groups of Iranians rose to be the
dominant force on the plateau: the Modes and the Persians. In 550 BC the
Persians defeated the Mcdes, and the Achaemenid kings appeared on the
international scene. The Parthian and Sassanian dynasties ruled Iran
successively. In 652 the Sassanians were defeated by the Muslim armies and
the vast majority of Iranians converted to Islam, attracted by the divine
teachings of this religion. After the Arab invasion of [ran, the Saffarids
were the first independent Iranian Muslim dynasty established in Iran (866903).
The Samanids and the Buyids also made great attempts to bring to fruition
the Iranian renaissance. In 1216 the Mongols. swecping in with relentless
fury, ohliterated many Iranian cities. In the safavid period (1501-1736)
~hen Iran gained a' powerful dynasty, the country made great progress. The
Afsharids and Zands were the next dynasties that ruled Iran successively
in the 18th century. The 19th century, when the Qajars reigned over Iran,
was a time of disintegration for the country. Many events, both internal
and external, caused it to fall into decay. In 1925, after the deposition
of the last Qajar shah, Reza Khan transfered sovereignty to himself In the
reign of Reza Shah and his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. the increasing
political and economical dependence on the western COWl
tries as well as disrespect to religious
values raised hatred of people for the Pahlavi regime. This hatred was
manifested in demonstrations against the government under the leadership
of Imam Khomeyni in 1978. leading to establishement of the Islamic
Hepublie of Iran in 1979. CULTUHAL LIFE Iran
enjoys a cultural life of wide variety. There arc several festive
occasions, the most important being Naw Ruz, the Persian New Year, and the
Birthday of the Twelfth Imam. The New Veal' celebration begins on 21st
March and continues until the 13th day of the new year, being a day for
picnicking in the countryside. A tradition related to this celebration is
setting seven objects being of symbolic value on a piece of cloth called
"sofreh". The name of each symbol begins with a [s] sound. At
the very beginning of the new year all members of the family sit at the
sofreh. At the beginning of each lunar Islamic year the martyrdom of
Husayn ibn Ali in 680 at Karbala, Iraq, at the hands of the Umayyads, is
commemorated by passion plays, callcd ta'ziych. Being
a country of great aruiquityIran's architecture is wonderfully rich in
variety. Some of its best examples arc palaces of Takht-e Jamshid or
Persepolis. historical buildings of Esfahan, Castle of Barn, ziggurat of
Chagha Zanbil, villages of Abyaneh and Masuleh (in Kashan and Gilan
respectively), and many majestic mosques throughout Iran. Carpet
looms dot the country. Each locality uses a special design and quality of
carpet that bears its name, such as Kashan, Kerman and Esfahan. The most
widespread techniques for ornarneutauon are engraving, chiselling.
gilding, damascening, encrustation and embossing. Potteries are also
widely scattered throughout Iran. Literature
is of high significance in Iran. Hafez, Sa'di, Khayvam and Fcrdawsi arc
among great Iranian poets. being world-famous. Khayyarn is known to
English readers especially through the translation of his Roba'iyat (quatrians)
bv Edward Fitz Cerald. Hafez is considered the greatcst of the Pcrsian
lyric poets. The
all-weather roads. the railway system, the airports in major cities and
provincial capitals, and the hotels and other accommodation facilities
contiribute to the thriving of the Iranian tourist industry The
warn-hearted and hospitable people welcome the visitors. www.Iran-Hakhamaneshi.150m.com Kourosh20032002@Yahoo.com
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