General Information

 

Formal Name

the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Location

Middle East - Republic of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan & Caspian Sea with which it shares borders on its north. Afghanistan and Pakistan lie on its east and Turkey and Iraq on its west. The Southern parts of Iran are entirely coasts both on the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, which separate Iran from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman. Iran shares borders with 16 countries.

Geographic Coordinates

Between latitudes 25`00 and 39`47 and longitudes 44`02 and 63`20

Time

GMT +3:30 September 22 to March 21 ------- GMT +4:30 March 22 to September 21

Area

1.648.195 sq kms.

Bordering Countries

Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km, total 5,440 km

Coastline

2,440 km along the Sea of Oman and the Persian Gulf; Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)

Climate

Because of its varied topography, Iran has a variety of climates but generally speaking it is said to have a continental type of climate which is indeed true of a major part of it's interior. Temperatures vary considerably from season to season and from one place to another. The interior deserts of Iran are amongst the hottest in the world but mountains play an all important part in lowering the temperature. Although the average temperature for the whole country is quoted as 18 degrees centigrade, it should be noted that the maximum of over 50` and minimum of 30` are common to the mountainous areas of the north and northwest and to the interior and southern deserts and lowlands.

Districts

Statistically, about 20,7% of the total area of Iran is desert and uncultivable land, 54,9% natural range land, 7.6% forest land, and only the remaining 16.8% is potentially arable land, of which 11.6 million hectares go annually under cultivation and the rest lie fallow.

Elevation Extremes

Caspian Sea -28 m, Mount Damavand 5,671 m

Natural Resources

Petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur

Capital

Tehran

Administrative Divisions

28 Provinces

Major Cities

Tehran, Mashhad, Esfahan, Tabriz, Shiraz, Hamadan, Yazd

Population

70,472,846 (2006 Official Census)

Ethnic Groups

Persian 51%, Azerbaijani 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baluch 2%, Turkic 1%, other 2%

Official Language

Farsi or Persian

Religions

Muslim constitute more than 98.5% of the country's population, the Christians command a population of 0.7%, the Jews 0.3%, the Zoroastrians 0.1%, and the followers of other religions 0.1%

Economy

A mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil and large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures

Industries

Petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processing, metal fabricating, automobile manufacturing

Agricultural Products

Wheat, rice, sugar beets, fruits, pistachios, cotton, dairy products, wool; caviar

Exports

Petroleum, carpets, fruits, nuts, hides, steel

Iran Currency

Rial

Foreign Currency

All foreign currencies can be exchanged in Iran. The preferred ones are US Dollars, Shengen Countries Euro, English Pounds, and Yens. Traveler's cheque and credit cards (master card and visa) are not accepted except in some carpet & handicraft shops in Tehran and Esfahan cities.

Exchange Rate

Approximately 9,400 Rials to one US Dollar, 13,700 Rials to one Euro and 19,200 Rials to one English Pound.

Fiscal Year

21 March - 20 March

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the ideal times to travel to Iran, but summer or winter can also be nice.

Passport / Visa requirements

The following things should be taken into consideration for gaining Iranian Visa:

1. A copy from identification page of applicant’s passport.
2. Name of applicant’s father.
3. Occupation of applicant.
4. Specify if she/he has been in Iran before or not.
5. It is to be noted that it usually takes 10-15 working days to get the documents or visa prepared.

Electricity

220v AC, 50 HZ

Measures

Metric

Dress Code

According to the Islamic and social beliefs in Iran, wearing Hejab (Modest dress) is necessary for women.

This does not mean wearing chador. Loose trousers, long skirts, long sleeves, long coats or manteau plus a headscarf will be sufficient.

• If preferred, PGTC will provide you with a manteau or chador.
• It is necessary to wear a Hejab while touring the cities, in the hotel lobbies and shopping at the bazaars.
• Wearing a chador whilst visiting mosques or holy places like Qum and Shah-e Cheragh is an obligation.
• Observing the traditions and regulations of a country is a part of respecting the people of that country and returning the traditional courtesy and hospitality of Iranians. Whilst respecting their customs, you are respecting them.

Customs

• Passengers entering the country must fill a declaration form, and declare the amount of foreign they carry with them to the bank situated in the airport. They can later take out foreign exchange, only up to the amount thus declared.
• Non-Iranians and Iranians who are residents abroad may, upon application and receipt of "carnet de passage" or "triptych" from the relevant countries` driving associations, enter the country temporarily. Such auto vehicles may remain in the country up to three months.
• Non-Commercial export as ant audio recordings of any form, any kind of musical instrument, Iranian or foreign that is made in Iran, is subject to the approval of the ministry of Culture & Islamic Guidance.
• All Passengers leaving Iran may take with themselves all personal belongings and the necessary means of traveling, at a reasonable, non-commercial scale.
• The maximum amount of pistachios and saffron that can be taken out of the country is 10kg and 100g per passport (on the same passport), are not entitled to take away any pistachios nor saffron.
• Any passenger leaving Iran may take out maximum 150g of gold without gems and up to 3kg of silver without gems.
• ach and every passenger leaving the country is permitted to take Persian carpets, handicrafts and goods bought in the country with official shop receipt.
• Each traveler is permitted to take one carpet or two small hand woven carpets (total 12 m) out of the country.
• Export of all antiques (over 50 years old) is prohibited. This includes gems, coins, handwritten manuscripts and other artifacts.
• The tour leaders who guide you in the cities will provide you with all necessary shopping advice. In case of requiring further shopping information, please consult the PGAC tour leaders.

Prohibitions

• Import of all alcoholic beverages, means of gambling, narcotics, those publications, pictures, films, photographs etc which are contrary to the country's national and religious ethics and criteria, fire arms and ammunitions, video tapes and obscene publications is strictly prohibited. There are specific regulations for carrying personal fire arms. The tourism organization and hunting guides will provide those who wish to hunt with the best available necessary hunting equipment.
• Taking out of the country any weapons, ammunitions or military equipment, is prohibited.
• Taking out of the country any narcotics subject of general prohibitions on exports-imports, is prohibited.

Transportation

Mehrabad, Tehran international airport, is 10 km west of town. Imam Khomeini International Airport is located in Tehran, Iran. The airport is located about 30 kilometers south of the city. It was designed to replace Mehrabad International Airport, Second terminal is currently under construction. But is confirmed to be a bigger and equally dominant terminal. Though dates of completion are yet to be announced. Iranians use the internal airlines as their primary means of transportation, so flights are often booked well in advance.
Taxis from the airport (and elsewhere) don't use meters, so be sure to agree on the fare before getting in the cab. There is a reliable prepaid taxi service outside the international arrivals hall. A journey across the city should cost no more than $20 US.

There's rail service, both within the country and to Europe and surrounding countries. There is excellent bus service between Istanbul and Tehran. Land borders with Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Pakistan are open.
An escorted tour is the best way for most first-time visitors to see the country. Hiring a car and driver or taxis would be a second choice. Bus service is extremely popular, and many buses run each day between all cities and towns in Iran. Taxis are also available.

Shopping

The best places to shop are the bazaars in Tehran, Shiraz and Esfahan. Shop for silks, Persian rugs, brassware, embroidery, ceramics, hand blown glass, antiques, turquoise, carved or painted miniatures, caviar, inlaid wood, enamel work, silver and gold ware and other local handicrafts.

Food

Most international foods are found in the deluxe hotels, but the local food, lightly seasoned, is excellent and should be sampled as often as possible. Try some regional specialties: nougat in Esfahan, pistachios in Rafsanjan, dates in Bam and bergamot jam in Shiraz and northern Iran.

Rice is a national staple and is cooked superbly. Local dishes include tasty shrimp, lamb and chicken dishes (most meat is grilled), fruit, vegetables, yogurt and desserts. Sample shirin polo (chicken and rice), fesenjan (made with chicken or duck) and ab-gusht (meat stew). If you get a chance, try the caviar (Iranian caviar, considered some of the world's best, is mostly exported). There are four more popular kinds of breads: Taftoon (fresh, flat lunch bread), Barbary (chewy breakfast bread), Lavash (crispy and thin) and Sangak (baked on hot pebbles). Iranian ice cream is also excellent.