Tehran

Tehran (Persian: تهران) is the capital and largest city in Iran. It coers 730 sq km (280 sq mi), within a metropolitan area of 1,274 sq km (492 sq mi). Tehran has a population of 8.5 million people, and a metropolitan population exceeding 13.5 million people. It is one of the largest cities in Southern Asia and Western Asia.

Tehran is located 1,200 m (3,900 ft) above sea level. Its history goes back to antiquity, with one of the earliest mention of it in AD 641m when Yazdegerd III issued an appeal to the nation to flee to Khorasan. It is not known how Tehran got its name. By the 9th century, it was the site of a village, though at that time overshadowed by the city of Rhages. It benefited when Rhages was destroyed by Mongols in the 13th century, forcing its inhabitants to flee to Tehran.

Tehran's modern history began in the early 18th century, when Karim Khan Zand ordered the contruction of a palace and government office buildings there. Instead of moving his capital there, however, he moved it to Shiraz.

Tehran only became the capital in 1795 under the Qajar ruler Agha Mohammad Khan. Nonetheless, most of the historic buildings in Tehran today dates from the series of constructions implemented by the Shah of Iran, Reza Shah Pahlavi in the 1920s and 30s. It further developed under the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Tehran further urbanized with a number of new government projects including Milad Tower.


Khomeini Mausoleum, Tehran, Iran



Grand Bazaar, Tehran, Iran



Karim Khan retreat within the Golestan Palace compound in Tehran

Visiting Tehran

The new Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) is the main gateway to Tehran. The city receives flights from major cities in Europe, Africa and Asia. The national carrier Iran Air flies to Amsterdam, Istanbul, London, Tokyo and Vienna, among others. There are also many flights from Dubai.

Places of Interest in Tehran

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Please use the information on this page as guidance only. The author endeavours to update the information on this page from time to time, but regrets any inaccuracies if there be any.

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