#Iran also called #Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran is a country in Western Asia. It is one of the few countries in the world that have a sea named after them called #PersianGulf. It is bordered on the west by #Iraq and #Turkey, northwest by #Azerbaijan and #Armenia, and north by #CaspianSea and #Turkmenistan. One of the largest and most populated countries in # the Middle East, Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations.
Birthplace of #Zoarastrian religion it was first unified by the Iranian Medes in the seventh century BC and reached its zenith in the sixth century BC when Cyrus the Great founded the Achaemenid Empire, which became one of the largest empires in history and has been described as the world’s first superpower. After defeat by #AlexandertheGreat, it was succeeded in the third century AD by the #Sasanian Empire. Arab Muslims conquered the empire in the seventh century AD, which led to the Islamization of Iran by Seljuq # the Turks, and # the Mongols.
It subsequently became a major center of Islamic culture and learning, with its art, literature, philosophy, and architecture spreading across the Muslim world and beyond during the Islamic Golden Age conquered the region. In the 15th century AD, #Safavids re-established a unified Iranian state and converted the country to #Shia Islam. Under Nader Shah, Iran once again became a major world power, having sacked #Delhi in 1739.
The early 20th century saw the Persian Constitutional Revolution, which culminated with the Iranian Revolution, establishing the current Islamic Republic in 1979 by Ruhollah Khomeini, who became the country’s first Supreme Leader who has the power to overrule the president. The main reason for the revolution was the nationalization of fossil fuel away from the control of Western companies that led to the Anglo-American sponsored coup de tat in 1953, which resulted in the autocratic rule under Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran even though he launched far-reaching series of reforms in 1963.
The Government of Iran operates from #Tehran the administrative and #economic capital is widely considered to be authoritarian and has attracted widespread criticism for its significant constraints and abuses against human rights and civil liberties, limiting rights for women and children. It is also a focal point for Shia Islam in #MiddleEast, at loggerheads with #Sunni hegemony within the region. Iran’s #economy is a mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil and other large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures. Iran has leading manufacturing industries in the fields of automobile manufacture, transportation, construction materials, home appliances, food and agricultural goods, armaments, pharmaceuticals, information technology, and petrochemicals in the Middle East.
However, #Economic sanctions against Iran, such as the embargo on Iranian crude oil, have injured the economy. Iran’s name derives directly from Middle Persian Ērān, first attested in a third-century inscription at Naqsh-e Rostam, with the accompanying Parthian inscription using the term Aryān, in reference to #Iranians. A regional power, and a founding member of #UnitedNations, #OIC, and #OPEC. Iran has the world’s second-largest #naturalgas and the fourth-largest proved #crudeoil reserves. The rich cultural legacy of Iran is reflected by 26 #UNESCO #WorldHeritageSites. Iran remains a pluralistic society with Persians, Azeris, Kurds, Mazandaranis, and Lurs ethnic groups coexisting for centuries.
Iran is mostly an arid desert region but many areas are well fed with water huge forests in the north and abundant water supply. As such north, east, and southeastern region are full of #wildlife including bears, the Eurasian lynx, foxes, gazelles, gray wolves, jackals, panthers, and wild pigs. It is the only place where #Asiatic Cheetah is found in the wild alive, having become extinct in #India its other major habitat. Iran was once a major #tourism hub however but after the 1979 revolution and 8 years, of the Iraq war, the industry took a major hit. But still, alongside the capital, the most popular #tourist destinations in Iran are #Isfahan, #Mashhad, and #Shiraz. The country was a major medicine and education hub but was hit by sanctions. Iran has several places worth visiting with many mountains, beaches, and forests.
Iran is known for its #arts #culture #histiory #cuisine #literature, #handicraft and #architecture. A major #sports power especially #football. The country has numerous hotels that offer luxurious, mid-range, and budget accommodation. The country also has several #shoppingmalls that sell a variety of items. Despite being an Islamic country not Arabic but #Persian or #Farsi is the most spoken language in the country. Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians are the most significant religious minorities who speak other languages. #Alcohol is strictly prohibited for sale to Muslims.
Well connected by rail, road, sea, and air, with all major cities of the world, Iran is home to several #museums #palaces, and # tombs. Iran has been the location for many historic international events like the 1940 pact between allied nations, to counter #Nazi #Germany and other axis powers; as well as the #RAMSAR convention a major treaty to save #wetland, #wildlife, as well as flora and fauna worldwide. Iran has huge growth potential and is expected to become major economic power as international sanctions are slowly lifted.
