Iranology
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Enjoying a rich ancient and Islamic history, Iran is among the largest human civilizations and for this reason and due to its variety of climates and a number of beautiful natural attractions, it is considered as one of the world’s most important tourism centers. Of the world’s 12 places recognized and registered as “The World’s Civilization Heritage” by UNESCO, three are located in Iran: * Persepolis (ruins of the former capital of Iran during Achamenian era 2500 years ago). * Naqsh-e-Jahan Square (a set of religious and public monuments from Safavid era). * Choghazanbil Temple (Aeelam’s imperial city dating back 3000 years ago) near the city of Shush. Most Attractive Historical Sites: * Complex of Imam Reza (A.S.): Holy shrine of the Eighth Imam of Shia Muslims in Mashhad, Khorassan. * Mausoleum of Prophet Daniel (Israelite’s prophet) in the city of Shush. * Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque (the Islamic architecture masterpiece from the Safavid era) in Isfahan. * Vank Cathedral (one of the most beautiful Iranian churches) in Isfahan. * Atashkadeh Yazd (the largest and oldest Zoroastrian fire temple) in Yazd. * Arg-e-Bam (the world’s largest adobe citadel) in Bam. * Anahita Temple (the stone temple of Ashkanian era) in Kangavar. * Qaleh-e Falak-ol-Aflak (a large military castle from the Sassanid era) in Khorramabad. * Taq-e Bostan (the stone buildings from the Sassanid era) in Kermanshah. * Pasargadae (Cyrus’ grave, the founder of Achamenian dynasty in Iran) near Shiraz. * Naqsh-e-Rostam (the largest stone building in the Sassanid era) near Shiraz. * Gounbad-e-Soltaniyeh (the world’s highest dome) in Mahneshan, Zanjan. * Syoseh Pol and Pol-e-Khaju bridges (the architecture masterpieces of the Safavid era) in Isfahan. * Banaye Shamsolemareh (Imperial Palace of Qajar kings) in Tehran. * Towchal Telecabin (the world’s longest cable-cabin installation) in Tehran. * Toos (Mausoleum of the great Persian poet Ferdowsi in Mashhad). * Imamzadeh Mahruq (Khayam and Attar’s mausoleums) in the city of Neyshabur. * Hafeziyeh (Hafiz’s mausoleum) in Shiraz. * Saadiyeh (Saadi’s mausoleum) * Qaboos-Ibn-e Voshmgir (the world’s highest brick tower a.k.a. Gonbad-e Qaboos).Other attractive places in Iran include Tehran traditional bazaar, Fin Orchard of Kashan, Toghrol Tower in Shahr-e Rey, Eram Orchard in Shiraz, Shazdeh Orchard in Mahan, Karimkhan Citadel, Vakil Bazaar in Shiraz, Jame’ Mosque in Shiraz, Aqa Bozorg Mosque in Kashan, Menar Jonban (shaking minarets) in Isfahan, ancient Hegmataneh Hills in Hamadan, etc. Natural Sites: * Ali Sadr Cave in Hamadan * Crown imperial plains (fritillaria imperialis) in Farsan * Golestan forest in Bojnurd * Lut Desert in central Iran * Hara forests on the coast of Oman Sea * Zarivar Lake in Marivan * Urmia Lake in Azarbaijan * Gohar Lake in Lorestan * Bagh-e Kandelus (garden) in Tonekabon * Lar Plain in the skirts of Mount Damavand Best Souvenirs from Iran: The best known products of Iran include saffron, caraway, cotton candy, Gaz (nugget), Suhan (candy), varieties of cookies and chocolates, herbs and plants’ extracts, liquorice, pistachios, caviar, dates, rose water, carpet, Kilim, Zilu, handicrafts, inlaid articles, mosaic works, miniature paintings, earthenware, glassware, turquoise, pearl, agate, leather commodities, clothes, etc. Famous Museums: There are many museums, exhibiting the world and Iranian civilization, culture as well as history, the most important of which are as follows: * Glassware and Earthenware Museum in Tehran * Natural history Museum in Tehran* Ganj Ali Khan Bath in Kerman * Carpet Museum in Tehran * Saadabad Palace Complex in Tehran * Anthropology Museum in Tehran * Decorative Arts Museum in Isfahan* Fine Arts Museum in Tehran * Post Museum in Tehran * Azadi Tower Cultural Complex in Tehran Figures: At the beginning of March 1996, there were 294 operating cinemas, and in the same year 58 films were produced in Iran. At the beginning of March 1997, there were 77 radio stations, 99 main radio transmitter sets, 1,611 television stations and 2,302 main television transmitter sets, 87 FM stations and 121 main FM transmitters as well as 2 short wave stations and 12 main short wave radio transmitter sets in operation. At the beginning of March 1997, there were 749 publications, 38 of which were daily newspapers. In the same year there were 1,047 public libraries with more than 7.8 million volumes of books. |
