subject: Exclusive Attraction of Iran [print this page] Exclusive Attraction of Iran Exclusive Attraction of Iran
Iran, formerly Persia, is officially known as the Islamic Republic of Iran. The country is situated in West Asia as well and parts of Central Eurasia.Although the term Persia' is used
cultural and historical contexts, Iran' is used in the political context. Iran comprises of 1,648,195sq.km with a population of about 75 million. Iran is surrounded by such states as Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Caspian Sea on the north, Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf on the south, Pakistan and Afghanistan on the east, Iraq on the west and Turkey on the northwest. Being surrounded by so many countries and seas Iran enjoys a geo-strategic importance that few countries do.
Tehran is the capital of Iran as also her commercial, industrial, cultural and political center. Iran is considered a regional power due to its position in the fields of international energy security with its vast reserves of natural gas and petroleum. This gives the country a significant position in the world economy.
Iran is known for its ancient civilization the beginnings of which date back to 3000 B.C which began with the Elamite kingdom. For some time Iran was part of the Greek Seleucid Empire culminating in the Islamic conquest in 651 A.D. Post Islamic empires and dynasties developed the Persian language and culture. The making of Shia Islam as the official religion occurred with advent of the Safayid dynasty in 1501 which was a turning point in the history of Iran. A Parliament came into being in Iran in 1906 creating a constitutional revolution within the confines of a constitutional monarchy. The finale came with Iran becoming an Islamic Republic on April 1, 1979.as a result of an Islamic revolution.
Iran has the distinction of being one of the founder members of organizations like the OPEC, NAM, OIC and UN. According to the 1979 constitution, the Iranian political system consists of various governing bodies that are intricately connected, with the Supreme Leader being Iran's highest national authority. Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the ancient dynasty. UNESCO declared Persepolis as a World Heritage Center, recently.
