About Iran

by ebizdir · Published April 22, 2022 · Updated April 21, 2022

Iran is a mysterious eastern country that has been attracting the attention of tourists for many years. The heritage of ancient empires, including Persia, oriental luxury, gourmet cuisine, the austere beauty of the desert, famous bazaars and silk carpets can captivate anyone. The written history of Iran has more than 5 thousand years. During this time, the country experienced the heyday of several empires, after which magnificent temples and palaces, collections of jewelry and works of art remained. A unique cultural heritage combined with a variety of natural resorts makes this country truly unique. At the same time, the strict socio-religious laws and the modern state structure of Iran evoke a well-known saying: “The East is a delicate matter,” why Iran still remains a mystery to many tourists.

Geography of Iran

According to Itypemba, the Islamic Republic of Iran is located in southwestern Asia. From the south, Iran washes the Persian Gulf, and from the north – the Caspian Sea. In terms of area, the country occupies the seventeenth place in the world (1648 thousand sq. km). The main part of the territory is mountain ranges and plateaus, including the Caucasus Mountains and Elbrus. The highest point in the country, Damavend Peak, reaches a dizzying height of 5604 meters. Extensive plains are rare, mostly along the coasts. The eastern part of the country is almost completely covered with uninhabited deserts.

Capital

Tehran

Area

The area of Iran is 1,648,000 km. sq., occupies the 17th place in the world by area.

Population

80 208 000

Currency

The national currency is the Iranian rial (IRR).

Language

The official language is Persian.

Visa to Iran

To enter the territory of Iran, citizens of the Russian Federation must obtain a visa. You can do this with the help of a travel agency or online, on the official website of the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The procedure for obtaining a tourist visa online is quite simple: you need to fill out an electronic application form, attach a digital photo and a scanned page of your passport with personal information. After 3-4 days, you will receive an e-mail with the registration number of the questionnaire, and after 7-10 days – a letter with a six-digit number of permission to obtain a visa, which must be presented when obtaining a visa. After 3 working days after receiving the second letter, you will be able to pick up your visa, and you can choose the place of receipt in the questionnaire: for example, the consulate or Tehran airport (Imam Khomeini Airport). During the Hajj (October-November) pilgrims

Weather in Iran

Basically, Iran has an arid, sharply continental climate, although temperature and rainfall vary by region. The southern coast is characterized by hot summers (over 40 ° C) and mild winters, the north-west of the country – cold snowy winters and moderate summers. In general, the most favorable time to visit the country is spring and autumn, although tourists are advised to first decide on a destination and choose the time of visit depending on the region.

Currency exchange in Iran

The official currency is the Iranian rial, equal to 100 dinars. Also in use is the “fog”, equal to 10 rials. As of December 2011, the exchange rate to the dollar is 10000 IRR = 0.9658 USD. It is best to take cash with you, dollars are preferred. Credit cards are not popular in Iran, and the availability of ATMs that support foreign cards is a problem even in Tehran, not to mention smaller cities. It is better to exchange money in banks or special exchange offices. It is strongly not recommended to use the services of street money changers. Banks are open from 8:00 to 16:00 from Saturday to Wednesday. Some branches are open from 8:00 to 20:00. Weekends are Thursday and Friday.

Electricity

230V/50Hz (European sockets).

Religion

The state religion is Shia Islam, 89% of the population adhere to this religion. About 9% of the population are Sunni Muslims. Also on the territory of Iran, Christianity, Judaism and Zoroastrianism are officially recognized and protected by the constitution. The role of religion in the life of Iran is difficult to overestimate, the state system of the country implies the restriction of certain rights and freedoms based on religious norms.

Security

No special vaccinations are required to visit Iran. The level of crime in the country is quite low, among the daily risks it is worth noting motorcyclists tearing bags out of their hands, as well as pickpockets. On the territory of Iran, a dress code is legally fixed, for non-compliance with which administrative and disciplinary liability is provided for tourists on an equal basis with citizens of the country. Men must cover their arms above the elbow and their legs above the ankle. For women, it is obligatory to wear a headscarf, hands must be covered up to the wrist, and legs up to the ankles. It is strictly forbidden to wear tight or transparent clothing. It is forbidden to photograph military installations and structures, state institutions, palaces. Also, you can not photograph local women, men – only with their permission. It is not recommended to kiss in the streets, hold hands, etc.