Iran flag

Iran

History

The Medes formed the first Iranian state on the plateau.
Cyrus the Great founded the Achaemenid empire, which reached from the Indus to the Aegean.
The Parthians took the plateau and held Rome's eastern frontier for centuries.
Ardashir I founded the Sasanian empire and made Zoroastrianism the state religion.
Local Iranian dynasties regained power between Arab and Turkic rule.
Shah Ismail founded the Safavid dynasty and made Shia Islam the state faith.
Nader Shah seized the throne and campaigned as far as Delhi.
Karim Khan Zand ruled from Shiraz in a rare period of calm.
Asia thumbnailPart ofAsiaMore countries, cities and routes.
CapitalTehran
Population86M
Area1,648,195 km2
CurrencyIranian rial

Short facts

RegionWestern Asia / Middle East
LanguagePersian (Farsi)
Time zoneIRST (UTC+3:30)
Drives onRight

Worth seeing

  • Persepolis: Ruins of the Persian Empire's ceremonial capital, one of antiquity's greatest sites.
  • Isfahan: Half the world was said to be Isfahan - mosques, bridges, and bazaars of surpassing beauty.
  • Shiraz: City of poets, gardens, and wine heritage near the ruins of Persepolis.

Find a city in Iran

Showing all cities

Tehran thumbnailTehranCity

Planning questions

What is Iran known for?Persepolis, Isfahan, Shiraz.
What is the capital?Tehran.
Which language is useful?Persian (Farsi).
When is the national day?1 April (Islamic Republic Day).
How should I browse it here?Start with the facts, jump to linked cities, then check events and topics.

Upcoming events

Use Tehran as the first planning anchor for Iran, then compare the city, food and worth-seeing notes on this page.

Food & drink

Kebab thumbnailKebabSignature dishTea thumbnailTeaLocal drink

Known for

PersepolisIsfahanShirazTehranKebabTea
Eurovision Song Contest thumbnailMusic & CultureFestivals, concerts and cultural calendars.Asia thumbnailAsia outdoorsLandscapes, routes, seasons and protected nature.