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Tehran is the capital city, capital and largest city of Iran. It is also the capital of Tehran province and the administrative center for Tehran County and its Central District (Tehran County), Central District. With a population of around 9.8 million in the city, and 16.8 million in the metropolitan area, Tehran is the List of largest cities of Iran, most populous city in Iran and Western Asia, the Largest metropolitan areas of the Middle East, second-largest metropolitan area in the Middle East after Cairo, and the 24th-most-populous metropolitan area in the world. Greater Tehran includes several municipalities, including Karaj, Eslamshahr, Shahriar, Tehran province, Shahriar, Qods, Iran, Qods, Malard, Golestan, Tehran, Golestan, Pakdasht, Qarchak, Nasimshahr, Parand, Pardis, Andisheh and Fardis.
In classical antiquity, part of the territory of present-day Tehran was occupied by Rhages (now Ray, Iran, Ray), a prominent Medes, Median city that was destroyed in the medieval Muslim conquest of Persia, Arab, Oghuz Turks, Turkic, and Mongol conquest of Khwarezmia, Mongol invasions. Modern Ray was absorbed into the metropolitan area of Greater Tehran. Tehran was first chosen as the capital of Iran in 1786 by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, Agha Mohammad Khan of the Qajar dynasty, due to its proximity to Iran's territories in the Caucasus—which were contested in the Russo-Persian Wars, Russo-Iranian Wars—and to avoid the vying factions of prior ruling Iranian dynasties; the Capitals of Iran, capital of Iran had been moved several times throughout its long history, with Tehran becoming the 32nd. Under Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, Naser al-Din Shah (1848-1896), Tehran witnessed Iran's first Dar ul-Funun (Persia), institute of higher learning, Imperial Bank of Persia, bank, Tehran–Rey Railway, railway line and museum. Large-scale construction works began in the 1920s, and Tehran became a destination for mass migrations from all over Iran in the 20th century.
Tehran is home to many historical sites, including the World Heritage Site Golestan Palace of Qajar dynasty and the Sa'dabad Complex, Sa'dabad, Niavaran Complex, Niavaran and Marble Palace (Tehran), Marmar palace complexes of the Pahlavi dynasty. Landmarks include the Azadi Tower, a memorial built in 1971 to mark the 2,500-year celebration of the Persian Empire, 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire; the Milad Tower, the world's List of tallest towers, sixth-tallest self-supporting tower, completed in 2007; and the Tabiat Bridge, completed in 2014.
Most residents of Tehran are Persian people, Persian, of whom roughly 99% speak the Persian language; there are numerous Ethnicities in Iran, other ethnolinguistic groups that are Persianization, Persianised and assimilated. Tehran has been described as a cultural "melting pot", hosting more Iranian Azerbaijanis, Azerbaijanis than any other city in the world, as well as over 2 million Kurds in Iran, Kurds. Tehran is served by Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, Imam Khomeini International Airport, alongside the domestic Mehrabad International Airport, Mehrabad Airport, Tehran railway station, a central railway station, Tehran Metro, the Tehran Bus Rapid Transit system, Trolleybuses in Tehran, trolleybuses, and List of Expressways in Tehran, a large network of highways.
Due to air pollution and earthquakes, there have been plans to relocate the capital to another area, although none have been approved. A 2016 survey of 230 cities across the globe by Mercer (consulting firm), Mercer ranked Tehran 203rd for quality of life. According to the Tourism#MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, Global Destinations Cities Index in 2016, Tehran is among the top ten fastest Tourism in Iran, growing tourism destinations. In 2016, the Tehran City Council declared 6 October "Tehran Day", celebrating the date in 1907 when the city officially became the capital of Iran.
After 50 years of Qajar rule, the city still barely had more than 80,000 inhabitants. Up until the 1870s, Tehran consisted of a walled citadel, a roofed bazaar, and the three main neighborhoods of Oudlajan, Udlajan, Chale-Meydan, and Sangelaj, where the majority resided.
During the long reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, Naser al-Din Shah (1848-1896), Tehran witnessed Iran's first Dar ul-Funun (Persia), institute of higher learning, Imperial Bank of Persia, bank, Tehran–Rey Railway, railway line and museum. The city expanded rapidly through multiple development plans. The first development plan in 1855 emphasized traditional spatial structure. The second, under the supervision of Dar ul-Funun (Persia), Dar ol Fonun in 1878, included new city walls, in the form of a perfect octagon with an area of 19 square kilometers, mimicking the Renaissance cities of Europe. Tehran was 19.79 square kilometers and had expanded more than fourfold.
Growing awareness of civil rights resulted in the Persian Constitutional Revolution, Constitutional Revolution and the Persian Constitution of 1906, first constitution of Iran in 1906. On 2 June 1907, the parliament passed a law on local governance known as the ''Baladie'' (municipal law), providing a detailed outline of issues such as the role of councils within the city, the members' qualifications, the election process, and the requirements to be entitled to vote.
Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar, Mohammad Ali Shah abolished the constitution and 1908 bombardment of the Majlis, bombarded the parliament with the help of the Russian-controlled Persian Cossack Brigade, Cossack Brigade on 23 June 1908. That was followed by the capture of the city by the revolutionary forces of Ali-Qoli Khan Bakhtiari, Ali-Qoli Khan (Sardar Asad II) and Mohammad Vali Khan Tonekaboni, Mohammad Vali Khan (Sepahsalar e Tonekaboni) on 13 July 1909. As a result, the monarch was exiled and replaced by his son Ahmad Shah Qajar, Ahmad, and the parliament was re-established.
During the Persian campaign (World War I), Persian campaign of World War I, Russian forces that were occupying the northwest of Iran marched around Qazvin and approached Tehran, caused a crisis and the dissolution of National Consultative Assembly, parliament. Ahmad Shah Qajar and his entourage decided to leave Tehran and move the capital to another place, sparking fears of rebellion in other cities.Mohammad-Taqi Bahar, Bahar, Mohammad Taghi (1992). A brief history of political parties in Iran: the extinction of the Qajar dynasty. J. First. Amir Kabir Publications. During the Battle of Robat Karim, Iranian forces led by Heydar Latifiyan prevented the Russians from taking Tehran, despite the latter winning the battle. This also allowed government functions to be moved to Qom and then to Isfahan, while the monarchy remained in Tehran.
After World War I, the constituent assembly elected Reza Shah of the Pahlavi dynasty as the new monarch, who immediately suspended the Baladie law of 1907, replacing the decentralized and autonomous city councils with centralist approaches to governance and planning. From the 1920s to the 1930s, under the rule of Reza Shah, the city was rebuilt. Several old buildings, including parts of the Golestan Palace, Tekyeh Dowlat, Tekye Dowlat, and Toopkhaneh, Tupkhane Square, were replaced with modern buildings influenced by classical Iranian architecture, particularly the buildings of the Bank Melli Iran, National Bank, the police headquarters, the telegraph office, and the military academy.
Changes to the urban fabric began with the street-widening act of 1933, which served as a framework for changes in all other cities. The Grand Bazaar, Tehran, Grand Bazaar was divided in half and many historic buildings were demolished and replaced by wide straight avenues, and the traditional texture of the city was replaced with intersecting cruciform streets that created large roundabouts in major public spaces such as the bazaar. As an attempt to create a network for easy transportation within the city, the old citadel and city walls were demolished in 1937, replaced by wide streets cutting through the urban fabric. By 1937 the city was heavily influenced by modernist planning patterns of zoning and gridiron networks.
During World War II, Soviet and British troops entered the city. In 1943, Tehran was the site of the Tehran Conference, attended by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Soviet premier Joseph Stalin, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
The establishment of the planning organization of Iran in 1948 resulted in the first socioeconomic development plan to cover from 1949 to 1955. These plans not only failed to slow the unbalanced growth of Tehran but with the 1962 land reforms that Reza Shah's son and successor Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Mohammad Reza Shah named the ''White Revolution'', Tehran's chaotic growth was further accentuated.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Tehran developed rapidly under Mohammad Reza Shah. Modern buildings altered the face of Tehran and ambitious projects were planned for the following decades. To resolve the problem of social exclusion, the first comprehensive plan was approved in 1968. The consortium of Iranian architect Abdol-Aziz Mirza Farmanfarmaian, Abd-ol-Aziz Farmanfarmaian and the American firm of Victor Gruen, Victor Gruen Associates identified the main problems blighting the city as high-density suburbs, air and water pollution, inefficient infrastructure, unemployment, and rural-urban migration. Eventually, the whole plan was marginalized by the 1979 Revolution and the subsequent Iran–Iraq War.
Tehran's most famous landmark, the Azadi Tower, was built by the order of the Shah in 1971. It was designed by Hossein Amanat, an architect whose design won a competition, combining elements of classical Sasanian architecture, Sassanian architecture with post-classical Iranian architecture. Formerly known as the ''Shahyad Tower'', it was built to commemorate the 2,500-year celebration of the Persian Empire, 2,500th anniversary of the Imperial State of Iran.
Following the Iranian Revolution, 1979 Islamic Revolution, Tehran underwent profound transformations in its urban landscape, political structure, and social dynamics. The revolution led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which brought about a shift from a pro-Western monarchy to a theocratic system based on Islamic principles. This change was reflected in various aspects of Tehran's development. Politically, the revolution resulted in the consolidation of power by forces loyal to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the revolution. This period saw the establishment of new governance structures aligned with Islamic ideologies.
During the Iran–Iraq War in 1980 to 1988, Tehran was repeatedly targeted by airstrikes and Scud missile attacks and the war led to substantial infrastructural damage.
The 435-meter-high Milad Tower, one of the proposed development projects of pre-revolutionary Iran, was completed in 2007 and has become a famous landmark of Tehran. Tabiat Bridge, a 270-meter footbridge, pedestrian overpass that was designed by award-winning architect Leila Araghian, was completed in 2014. The city municipality started planting large number of imported palm trees replacing endemic plane trees. In June 2025, Tehran was attacked by Israeli airstrikes. On June 2025 an unprecedented event in the history of Iran and Tehran took place as people of Tehran committed 2025 Iranian exodus from Tehran, mass evacuation.
"Tehran: Split Between Liberal, Hard-Line"
. Associated Press via ''The Washington Post''. Thursday 4 October 2007.Hundley, Tom
"Pro-reform Khatami appears victorious after 30 million Iranians cast votes"
''Chicago Tribune''. 8 June 2001. The city center houses government ministries and headquarters. Commercial centers are located further north.
. hamshahrionline.ir Other air currents that blow in the area are: # Tochal breeze: with the rapid cooling of the Alborz mountain range at night, a local high-pressure center is formed on Mount Tochal. This cold current flows down the mountain due to its weight and high pressure. Thus, a gentle breeze blows into the city from the north at night. # Southern and southeastern regional winds: these winds blow from the desert plains in the hot months of the year. # Western winds: these winds are among the planetary winds that affect Tehran throughout the year and can be called the prevailing wind. Most of the annual precipitation occurs from late autumn to mid-spring. March is the wettest month with an average precipitation of . Summer is the least rainy season, and September is the driest month of the year. The average annual rainfall is sometimes very different in the north and south regions. One of the most intense rains happened on 21 April 1962, with 10 hours of rain. Meteorology determined that the amount of rainfall on that one day was equivalent to six years. The hottest month is July, with a mean minimum temperature of and a mean maximum temperature of . The coldest is January, with a mean minimum temperature of and a mean maximum temperature of . There are between 205 and 213 days of clear to partly cloudy weather.Climate and air pollution of Tehran (in Persian)
atlas.tehran.ir Summer is hot and dry with little rain, and relative humidity is generally low. Average high temperatures are between and during summer months, and it can sometimes rise up to during heat waves. Average low temperatures in summer are between and . It can occasionally drop to below in the mountainous north of the city at night. Winter is cold and occasionally snowy, with an average of 12.3 snow days annually in central Tehran and 23.7 snow days annually in northern Tehran. During the winter months, average high temperatures are between and . Average low temperatures are between and , and it can occasionally drop to below during cold waves. The highest recorded temperature was on 3 July 1958. The lowest recorded temperature was on 8 January 1969. In February 2005, heavy snow covered all parts of Tehran. Snow depth was recorded as in the south and in the north. One newspaper reported that it had been the worst weather in 34 years. Ten thousand bulldozers and 13,000 municipal workers were deployed to keep the main roads open. On 5 and 6 January 2008, a wave of heavy snow and low temperatures covered Tehran in a thick layer of snow and ice, forcing the Council of Ministers to declare a state of emergency and close down the capital from 6 January to 7 January.Heavy Snowfall in Tehran (in Persian)
irna.com On 3 February 2014, Tehran received heavy snowfall, specifically in the northern parts of the city, with a depth of . In one week of successive snowfalls, roads were made impassable in some areas, with the temperature ranging from to . On 3 June 2014, a severe thunderstorm with powerful microbursts created a haboob, engulfing Tehran in sand and dust and causing five deaths, with more than 57 injured. This event knocked down numerous trees and power lines. It struck between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., dropping temperatures from to within an hour. The dramatic temperature drop was accompanied by wind gusts reaching nearly .
Tehran is located near two major fault lines. Tehran suffers from severe air pollution, 80% of it due to cars. The remaining 20% is due to industrial pollution. Other estimates suggest that motorcycles account for 30% of air and 50% of noise pollution in Tehran. Tehran is considered one of the strongest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the Middle East. Enhanced concentration of carbon dioxide over Tehran, that likely originate from the anthropogenic urban sources in the city, is easily detectable from satellite observations throughout the year. A plan to move the capital has been discussed many times in prior years, due mainly to the environmental issues of the region. In 2010, the government announced that "for security and administrative reasons, the plan to move the capital from Tehran has been finalized." There are plans to relocate 163 state firms and several universities from Tehran to avoid damages from a potential earthquake.
City officials are engaged in a battle to reduce air pollution. They have, for instance, encouraged taxis and buses to convert from petrol engines to compressed natural gas. The government has set up a "Traffic Zone" covering the city centre during peak traffic hours. Entering and driving inside this zone is only allowed with a special permit. There are efforts to raise people's awareness of the hazards of pollution. Pollution Indicator Boards have been installed all around the city to monitor the level of Atmospheric particulate matter, particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO).
Tehran is the economic centre of Iran. About 30% of Iran's public-sector workforce and 45% of its large industrial firms are located in the city, and almost half of these workers are employed by the government. Most of the remainder of workers are factory workers, shopkeepers, laborers, and transport workers.
Few foreign companies operate in Tehran, due to the government's complex international relations. But prior to the 1979 Revolution, many foreign companies were active in Iran. Tehran's present-day modern industries include the manufacturing of automobiles, electronics and electrical equipment, weaponry, textiles, sugar, cement, and chemical products. It is also a leading centre for the sale of carpets and furniture. The oil refining companies of Pars Oil, Sepahan Oil Company, Speedy, and Behran Oil Company, Behran are based in Tehran.
Tehran relies heavily on private cars, buses, motorcycles, and taxis, and is one of the most car-dependent cities in the world. The Tehran Stock Exchange, which is a full member of the World Federation of Exchanges and a founding member of the Federation of Euro-Asian Stock Exchanges.
Following the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the political system changed from constitutional monarchy to Islamic republic. Then the construction of political power in the country needed to change so that new spectrums of political power decision-making centers emerged in Iran. Motives, desires and actions of these new political power decision-making centers in Iran, made them rename streets and public places throughout the country, especially Tehran. For example Shahyad square changed to Azadi Square, Azadi square and Pahlavi street changed to Valiasr Street, Valiasr street. The metropolis of Tehran is equipped with a large network of highways and interchanges.
According to the head of Tehran Municipality's Environment and Sustainable Development Office, Tehran was designed to have a capacity of about 300,000 cars, but more than five million cars are on the roads. The automotive industry has recently developed, but international sanctions influence the production processes periodically. According to local media, Tehran has more than 200,000 taxis plying the roads daily, with several types of taxi available in the city. Airport taxis have a higher cost per kilometer as opposed to regular green and yellow taxis in the city.
Tehran has a Tehran Railway Station, central railway station that connects services round the clock to various cities in the country, along with a Tehran–Europe train line also running. The feasibility study and conceptual planning of the construction of Tehran's subway system were started in the 1970s.
File:02 hasan abad Sq..jpg, Hasanabad, Tehran, Hasanabad Square
File:Tehran City Theater 1.jpg, A view of the building of the City Theater of Tehran
File:Iranian Foreign Affaire Ministry.jpg, Police House,
the National Garden, Tehran, National Garden Previously a low-rise city due to seismic activity in the region, modern high-rise developments in Tehran have been built in recent decades in order to service its growing population. There have been no major quakes in Tehran since 1830. Tehran International Tower is the tallest skyscraper in Iran. It is 54-stories tall and located in the northern district of Yusef Abad. The Azadi Tower, a memorial built under the reign of the Pahlavi dynasty, has long been the most famous symbol of Tehran. Originally constructed in commemoration of the 2,500-year celebration of the Persian Empire, 2,500th year of the foundation of the Imperial State of Iran, it combines elements of the architecture of the Achaemenid architecture, Achaemenid and Sassanid architecture, Sassanid eras with post-classical Iranian architecture. The Milad Tower, which is the List of towers, sixth tallest tower and the List of tallest buildings and structures#Tallest structures, freestanding structures, and buildings, 24th-tallest freestanding structure in the world, is the city's other famous landmark tower. Leila Araghian's Tabiat Bridge, the largest pedestrian overpass in Tehran, was completed in 2014 and is also considered a landmark.
Under the reign of the Qajar dynasty, Qajars, Tehran was home to the royal theatre of Tekyeh Dowlat, Tekye Dowlat, located to the southeast of the Golestan Palace, in which traditional and religious performances were observed. It was eventually demolished and replaced with a bank building in 1947, following the reforms during the reign of Reza Shah.
Before the 1979 Revolution, the Iranian national stage had become the most famous performing scene for known international artists and troupes in the Middle East, with the Vahdat Hall, formerly known as Rudaki Hall, constructed to function as the national stage for opera and ballet. The hall was inaugurated in October 1967 and named after prominent Persian poet Rudaki. It is home to the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, the Tehran Opera Orchestra, and the Iranian National Ballet Company.
The City Theater of Tehran, one of Iran's biggest theatre complexes, which contains several performance halls, was opened in 1972. It was built at the initiative and presidency of Empress Farah Pahlavi, and was designed by architect Ali Sardar Afkhami, constructed within five years.
One of the gathering centers of cabarets in old Tehran was Laleh-Zar Street. Famous Persian cabarets were active in the city until 1979. They also introduced many domestic artists. In common language, cabaret was sometimes called "home of dance" or "dancing place".
The annual events of Fajr International Theater Festival, Fajr Theater Festival and Tehran International Puppet Theatre Festival, Tehran Puppet Theater Festival take place in Tehran.
File:Esteghlal Edges Past Persepolis 3-2 to Claim Tehran Derby-33.jpg, Tehran derby in Azadi Stadium. The match is considered one of the world's most intense derbies.
File:Iran men's ice hockey league in Tehran.jpg, Ice hockey in Iran, Iran's ice hockey league in Tehran
File:Fitness training women M2 (babaea maryam Tehran 2018) 5.jpg, Horse riding in the west of the city
File:مژگان بختیاری تی ار اکس ترینر و بدنساز حرفه ای بین المللی ایرانی در تمرینات استاندارد در باشگاه (5).jpg, One of the health clubs in the city
File:Dizin, Iran.jpeg, Dizin, Iran's largest ski resort, is located near Tehran.
Google Map: Tehran
Tehran Municipality website
Tehran Geographic Information Center
Tehranimages.
A photographic project focusing on neglected pieces of architecture in downtown Tehran, Iran.
Must see in Tehran
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Etymology
Various theories on the origin of the name Tehran have been put forward. Iranian linguist Ahmad Kasravi, in an article "Shemiran-Tehran", suggests that Tehran and Kehran mean "the warm place", and "Shemiran" means "the cool place". He lists cities with the same base and suffix and studied the components of the word in ancient Iranian languages, and came to the conclusion that Tehran and Kehran meant the same thing in different Iranian language families, as the constant "t" and "k" are close to each other in such languages. He also provided evidence that cities named "Shemiran" were colder than those named "Tehran" or "Kehran". He considered other theories not considering the ancient history of Iranian languages such as "Tirgan" theory and "Tahran" theory folk etymology. The official City of Tehran website says that "Tehran" comes from the Persian words "Tah" meaning "end", or "bottom", and "Ran" meaning "[mountain] slope"—literally, the bottom of the mountain (ته کوه), referring to Tehran's position at the foot of the Alborz mountains. In English, it is also spelt "Teheran", with both variants being used in books since at least 1800, and "Teheran" being the dominant form from after WWII until shortly before the Islamic Revolution.History
Archaeological remains from the ancient city of Ray, Iran, Ray suggest that settlement in Tehran dates back over 6,000 years.Classical era
Tehran is in the historical Media (region), Media region of ( ) in northwestern Iran. By the time of the Medes, Median Empire, part of present-day Tehran was a suburb of the prominent Median city of Rhages ( ). In the Avesta's ''Vendidad, Videvdat'' (i, 15), Rhages is mentioned as the 12th sacred place created by Ahura Mazda, Ohrmazd. In Achaemenid Empire, Old Persian inscriptions, Rhages appears as a province (Behistun Inscription, Bistun 2, 10–18). From Rhages, Darius I sent reinforcements to his father Hystaspes (father of Darius I), Hystaspes, who was putting down a rebellion in Parthia (Bistun 3, 1–10). Some Middle Persian texts give Rhages as the birthplace of Zoroaster, although modern historians generally place the birth of Zoroaster in Khorasan province. Mount Damavand, the highest peak of Iran, which is located near Tehran, is an important location in Ferdowsi's ''Shahnameh, Šāhnāme'',A. Tafazolli, "In Iranian Mythology" in Encyclopædia Iranica an Iranian epic poem based on the Persian mythology, ancient legends of Iran. It appears in the epics as the homeland of the Protoplast (religion), protoplast Keyumars, the birthplace of King Manuchehr, the place where King Fereydun bound the dragon fiend Zahhak, Aždahāk (Bivarasp), and the place where Arash shot his arrow.Medieval period
In 641, during the reign of the Sasanian Empire, Yazdegerd III, Yazdgerd III issued his last appeal to the nation from Rhages, before fleeing to Khorasan. Rhages was dominated by the Parthian Empire, Parthian House of Mihran, and Siyavakhsh—the son of Mihran Bahram-i Chubin, Mehran, the son of Bahram Chobin—who resisted the seventh-century Muslim conquest of Persia, Muslim invasion of Iran. Because of this resistance, when the Arabs captured Rhages, they ordered the town destroyed and rebuilt anew by traitor aristocrat Farrukhzad. In the ninth century, Tehran was a well-known village, but less so than Rhages, flourishing nearby. Rhages was described in detail by tenth-century Muslim geographers. Despite the interest that Arabian Baghdad displayed in Rhages, the number of Arabs in the city remained insignificant and the population mainly consisted of Iranians of all classes. The Oghuz Turks invaded Rhages in 1035 and again in 1042, but the city was recovered under the Seljuk Empire, Seljuks and the Khwarazmian dynasty, Khwarezmians. Medieval writer Najm al-Din Razi, Najm od Din Razi declared the population of Rhages about 500,000 before the Mongol conquest of Khwarezmia, Mongol invasion. In the 13th century, the Mongol Empire, Mongols invaded Rhages, laid the city to ruins, and massacred many of its inhabitants. Others escaped to Tehran. In July 1404, Crown of Castile, Castilian ambassador Ruy González de Clavijo visited Tehran on a journey to Samarkand, the capital of Turco-Mongol conqueror Timur, the ruler of Iran at the time. He described it in his diary as an unwalled region.Early modern era
Italian traveler Pietro della Valle passed through Tehran overnight in 1618, and in his memoirs called the city ''Taheran''. English traveler Sir Thomas Herbert, 1st Baronet, Thomas Herbert entered Tehran in 1627, and mentioned it as ''Tyroan''. Herbert states that the city had about 3,000 houses. In the early 18th century, Karim Khan Zand, Karim Khan of the Zand dynasty ordered a palace and a government office built in Tehran, possibly to declare the city his capital; but he later moved his government to Shiraz. Eventually, Qajar king Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar, Agha Mohammad Khan chose Tehran as the capital of Iran in 1786. Khan's choice of his capital was based on a similar concern for the control of both northern and southern Iran. He was aware of the loyalties of the inhabitants of former capitals Isfahan and Shiraz to the Safavid dynasty, Safavid and Zand dynasties respectively, and was wary of the power of the local notables in these cities. Thus, he probably viewed Tehran's lack of a substantial urban structure as a blessing, because it minimized the chances of resistance to his rule by the notables and by the general public. He had to remain within close reach of Azerbaijan (Iran), Azerbaijan and Iran's integral North Caucasus, northern and South Caucasus, southern Caucasus, Caucasian territories—at that time not yet irrevocably lost per the treaties of Treaty of Gulistan, Golestan and Treaty of Turkmenchay, Turkmenchay to the neighboring Russian Empire—which would follow in the course of the 19th century.
After 50 years of Qajar rule, the city still barely had more than 80,000 inhabitants. Up until the 1870s, Tehran consisted of a walled citadel, a roofed bazaar, and the three main neighborhoods of Oudlajan, Udlajan, Chale-Meydan, and Sangelaj, where the majority resided.
During the long reign of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, Naser al-Din Shah (1848-1896), Tehran witnessed Iran's first Dar ul-Funun (Persia), institute of higher learning, Imperial Bank of Persia, bank, Tehran–Rey Railway, railway line and museum. The city expanded rapidly through multiple development plans. The first development plan in 1855 emphasized traditional spatial structure. The second, under the supervision of Dar ul-Funun (Persia), Dar ol Fonun in 1878, included new city walls, in the form of a perfect octagon with an area of 19 square kilometers, mimicking the Renaissance cities of Europe. Tehran was 19.79 square kilometers and had expanded more than fourfold.
Late modern era
Growing awareness of civil rights resulted in the Persian Constitutional Revolution, Constitutional Revolution and the Persian Constitution of 1906, first constitution of Iran in 1906. On 2 June 1907, the parliament passed a law on local governance known as the ''Baladie'' (municipal law), providing a detailed outline of issues such as the role of councils within the city, the members' qualifications, the election process, and the requirements to be entitled to vote.
Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar, Mohammad Ali Shah abolished the constitution and 1908 bombardment of the Majlis, bombarded the parliament with the help of the Russian-controlled Persian Cossack Brigade, Cossack Brigade on 23 June 1908. That was followed by the capture of the city by the revolutionary forces of Ali-Qoli Khan Bakhtiari, Ali-Qoli Khan (Sardar Asad II) and Mohammad Vali Khan Tonekaboni, Mohammad Vali Khan (Sepahsalar e Tonekaboni) on 13 July 1909. As a result, the monarch was exiled and replaced by his son Ahmad Shah Qajar, Ahmad, and the parliament was re-established.
During the Persian campaign (World War I), Persian campaign of World War I, Russian forces that were occupying the northwest of Iran marched around Qazvin and approached Tehran, caused a crisis and the dissolution of National Consultative Assembly, parliament. Ahmad Shah Qajar and his entourage decided to leave Tehran and move the capital to another place, sparking fears of rebellion in other cities.Mohammad-Taqi Bahar, Bahar, Mohammad Taghi (1992). A brief history of political parties in Iran: the extinction of the Qajar dynasty. J. First. Amir Kabir Publications. During the Battle of Robat Karim, Iranian forces led by Heydar Latifiyan prevented the Russians from taking Tehran, despite the latter winning the battle. This also allowed government functions to be moved to Qom and then to Isfahan, while the monarchy remained in Tehran.
Pahlavi rule
After World War I, the constituent assembly elected Reza Shah of the Pahlavi dynasty as the new monarch, who immediately suspended the Baladie law of 1907, replacing the decentralized and autonomous city councils with centralist approaches to governance and planning. From the 1920s to the 1930s, under the rule of Reza Shah, the city was rebuilt. Several old buildings, including parts of the Golestan Palace, Tekyeh Dowlat, Tekye Dowlat, and Toopkhaneh, Tupkhane Square, were replaced with modern buildings influenced by classical Iranian architecture, particularly the buildings of the Bank Melli Iran, National Bank, the police headquarters, the telegraph office, and the military academy.
Changes to the urban fabric began with the street-widening act of 1933, which served as a framework for changes in all other cities. The Grand Bazaar, Tehran, Grand Bazaar was divided in half and many historic buildings were demolished and replaced by wide straight avenues, and the traditional texture of the city was replaced with intersecting cruciform streets that created large roundabouts in major public spaces such as the bazaar. As an attempt to create a network for easy transportation within the city, the old citadel and city walls were demolished in 1937, replaced by wide streets cutting through the urban fabric. By 1937 the city was heavily influenced by modernist planning patterns of zoning and gridiron networks.
During World War II, Soviet and British troops entered the city. In 1943, Tehran was the site of the Tehran Conference, attended by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Soviet premier Joseph Stalin, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
The establishment of the planning organization of Iran in 1948 resulted in the first socioeconomic development plan to cover from 1949 to 1955. These plans not only failed to slow the unbalanced growth of Tehran but with the 1962 land reforms that Reza Shah's son and successor Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Mohammad Reza Shah named the ''White Revolution'', Tehran's chaotic growth was further accentuated.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Tehran developed rapidly under Mohammad Reza Shah. Modern buildings altered the face of Tehran and ambitious projects were planned for the following decades. To resolve the problem of social exclusion, the first comprehensive plan was approved in 1968. The consortium of Iranian architect Abdol-Aziz Mirza Farmanfarmaian, Abd-ol-Aziz Farmanfarmaian and the American firm of Victor Gruen, Victor Gruen Associates identified the main problems blighting the city as high-density suburbs, air and water pollution, inefficient infrastructure, unemployment, and rural-urban migration. Eventually, the whole plan was marginalized by the 1979 Revolution and the subsequent Iran–Iraq War.
Tehran's most famous landmark, the Azadi Tower, was built by the order of the Shah in 1971. It was designed by Hossein Amanat, an architect whose design won a competition, combining elements of classical Sasanian architecture, Sassanian architecture with post-classical Iranian architecture. Formerly known as the ''Shahyad Tower'', it was built to commemorate the 2,500-year celebration of the Persian Empire, 2,500th anniversary of the Imperial State of Iran.
Islamic Republic
Following the Iranian Revolution, 1979 Islamic Revolution, Tehran underwent profound transformations in its urban landscape, political structure, and social dynamics. The revolution led to the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which brought about a shift from a pro-Western monarchy to a theocratic system based on Islamic principles. This change was reflected in various aspects of Tehran's development. Politically, the revolution resulted in the consolidation of power by forces loyal to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the revolution. This period saw the establishment of new governance structures aligned with Islamic ideologies.
During the Iran–Iraq War in 1980 to 1988, Tehran was repeatedly targeted by airstrikes and Scud missile attacks and the war led to substantial infrastructural damage.
The 435-meter-high Milad Tower, one of the proposed development projects of pre-revolutionary Iran, was completed in 2007 and has become a famous landmark of Tehran. Tabiat Bridge, a 270-meter footbridge, pedestrian overpass that was designed by award-winning architect Leila Araghian, was completed in 2014. The city municipality started planting large number of imported palm trees replacing endemic plane trees. In June 2025, Tehran was attacked by Israeli airstrikes. On June 2025 an unprecedented event in the history of Iran and Tehran took place as people of Tehran committed 2025 Iranian exodus from Tehran, mass evacuation.
Demographics
Population
Tehran had a population of 7,711,230 people, in 2,286,787 households at the time of the 2006 National Census. The 2011 census counted 8,154,051 people, in 2,624,511 households. The 2016 census recorded 8,693,706 people, in 2,911,065 households.Language and ethnicity
With its cosmopolitan atmosphere, Tehran is home to diverse ethnic and linguistic groups from all over the country. The present-day dominant language is the Tehrani accent, Tehrani variety of the Persian language, and the majority of people identify themselves as Persian people, Persians. Historically the native language of the Tehran–Ray region was not Persian, which is linguistically Southwest Iranian and originates in Fars province, Fars, an extinct Western Iranian languages, Northwestern Iranian language. Iranian Azerbaijanis, Iranian Azeris are the second-largest ethnic group, comprising about 10-15% of the population. Ethnic Mazanderani people, Mazanderanis are the third-largest, comprising about 5% of the population. Tehran's other ethnic communities include Kurds, Iranian Armenians, Armenians, Iranian Georgians, Georgians, Bakhtiari people, Bakhtyaris, Talysh people, Talysh, Baloch people, Baloch, Assyrians in Iran, Assyrians, Arabs, Iranian Jews, Jews, and Circassians in Iran, Circassians. In the 2010 census by the Sociology Department of the University of Tehran, in many districts of Tehran across various socio-economic classes in proportion to population sizes of each district and socio-economic class, 63% of the people were born in Tehran, 98% knew Persian, 75% identified themselves as ethnic Persian, and 13% had some degree of proficiency in a European language. There was a drastic change in ethnic-social composition in the early 1980s. After the political, social, and economic consequences of the 1979 Revolution and the years that followed, many Iranian citizens, mostly Tehranis, left Iran. The majority of Iranian diaspora, Iranian emigrations have left for the Iranian Americans, United States, Iranians in Germany, Germany, Swedish Iranians, Sweden, and Iranian Canadians, Canada. With the start of the Iran–Iraq War, a second wave of inhabitants fled the city, especially during the Iraqi air offensives on Tehran. With most major powers backing Iraq at the time, economic isolation gave yet more reason for many inhabitants to leave Tehran and the country. Having left all they had and having struggled to adapt to a new country and build a life, most of them never came back when the war was over. During the war, Tehran received a great number of migrants from the west and the southwest of Iran bordering Iraq. The unstable situation and the war in neighbouring Afghanistan and Iraq prompted a rush of refugees into Iran, who arrived in millions. Tehran was a magnet for many seeking work, who helped Tehran to recover from war wounds, working for a far lower pay than local construction workers. Many of these refugees are being repatriated with the assistance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, but there are still sizable groups of Afghan and Iraqi refugees in Tehran who are reluctant to leave, being pessimistic about the situation in their own countries. Afghan refugees are mostly Dari language, Dari-speaking Tajiks, Tajik and Hazara people, Hazara, speaking a variety of Persian, and Iraqi refugees are mainly Mesopotamian Arabic-speakers who are often of Iranian and Persian ethnic heritage.Religion
The majority of Tehranis are officially Twelver Shia Muslims, which has been the state religion since the 16th-century Safavid conversion of Iran to Shia Islam, Safavid conversion. Other religious communities include followers of the Sunni Islam, Sunni and Sufism, Mystic branches of Islam, Christian denominations, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and the Baháʼí Faith. In the 2016 "Tehran Survey", when residents were asked about the importance of religion in their life, 53.5% considered it to be "very important / important", 31.1% to be "rather important", 10.5% to be "not very important" and 4.8% to be "not at all important." There are many religious centres scattered around Tehran, from old to newly built centres, including List of religious centers in Tehran#Mosques and madrasehs, mosques, List of religious centers in Tehran#Churches, churches, List of religious centers in Tehran#Synagogues, synagogues, and List of religious centers in Tehran#Fire temples, Zoroastrian fire temples. Tehran has a very small third-generation Indian Sikh community with a local gurdwara that was visited by the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh in 2012.Geography
Location and subdivisions
City of Tehran is bounded in the north by southern end and the highest point of Alborz Mountain Range (Tochal Peak, 3'963m), in the east by a hilly stretch of Alborz (namely, Sorkheh Hesar National Park, part of Khojir National Park and the northeastern badlands), in the southeast by Rey, Iran, Raga Mountain and in the west and southwest by fertile meadows and many villages, fed by numerous rivers and streams, mainly Karaj River, Karaj and Jajrud (river), Jajrud. The metropolis is divided into 22 municipal districts, each with its own administrative center. Of the 22 municipal districts, 20 are located in Tehran County's Central District (Tehran County), Central District, while districts District 1 (Tehran), 1 and District 20 (Tehran), 20 are respectively located in the counties of Shemiranat County, Shemiranat and Ray County, Iran, Ray. Northern Tehran is the wealthiest part of the city, with districts such as Zafaraniyeh, Nelson Mandela Boulevard (Jordan Street) Tehran, Jordan, Elahieh, Elahiyeh, Pasdaran (district), Pasdaran, Kamranieh, Ajudanieh, Ajodanieh, Farmanieh, Darrous, Niavaran, Jamaran, Aghdasieh, Mahmoodieh, Velenjak, Gheytarieh, Qeytarieh, Ozgol and Ekhtiarieh.Buzbee, Sally"Tehran: Split Between Liberal, Hard-Line"
. Associated Press via ''The Washington Post''. Thursday 4 October 2007.Hundley, Tom
"Pro-reform Khatami appears victorious after 30 million Iranians cast votes"
''Chicago Tribune''. 8 June 2001. The city center houses government ministries and headquarters. Commercial centers are located further north.
Topography
Northern Tehran is on the foot of Alborz, starting at the elevation of , with many houses and streets on steep slopes and hills. There is a stretch of hills in middle of the city (which historically divided Tehran and Shemiran) with its highest point at . Southwards and westwards of those hills, Tehran is less steep. On the east, there are numerous hills, with the highest point at . The southern end of Tehran (Rey) is at , next to a single mountain (Raga) at .Climate
Most of Tehran has a cold semi-arid climate, ''BSk'' within the Köppen climate classification. The climate is ''BSh'' (hot semi-arid) around Mehrabad International Airport and cold semi-arid in higher areas, with a borderline Mediterranean climate#Hot-summer Mediterranean climate, Mediterranean climate (''Csa'') in the northern area of Tehran, with hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Tehran's climate is largely defined by its geographic location, with the towering Alborz mountains to its north and Iran's central desert to the south. There are significant differences in elevation among various districts, and the weather is often cooler in the hilly north than in the flat southern part of Tehran. For instance, the Valiasr Street runs from Tehran's railway station at elevation above sea level in Tehran's south, to Tajrish Square at 1712.6 m (5612.3 ft) elevation above sea level in the north. The elevation rises up to at the end of Velenjak in northern Tehran. The sparse texture, the existence of old gardens, orchards, green spaces along the highways and the lack of industrial activities in the north of Tehran make the air in the northern areas 2 to 3 degrees Celsius cooler than the southern areas. Air currents have a great effect on Tehran's weather. The prevailing wind blowing from the west causes the west of Tehran to always be exposed to fresh air. Although this wind brings smoke and pollution from the western industrial areas, its strong wind takes polluted air out of Tehran. The main direction of the prevailing wind is northwest to southeast.lake (in Persian). hamshahrionline.ir Other air currents that blow in the area are: # Tochal breeze: with the rapid cooling of the Alborz mountain range at night, a local high-pressure center is formed on Mount Tochal. This cold current flows down the mountain due to its weight and high pressure. Thus, a gentle breeze blows into the city from the north at night. # Southern and southeastern regional winds: these winds blow from the desert plains in the hot months of the year. # Western winds: these winds are among the planetary winds that affect Tehran throughout the year and can be called the prevailing wind. Most of the annual precipitation occurs from late autumn to mid-spring. March is the wettest month with an average precipitation of . Summer is the least rainy season, and September is the driest month of the year. The average annual rainfall is sometimes very different in the north and south regions. One of the most intense rains happened on 21 April 1962, with 10 hours of rain. Meteorology determined that the amount of rainfall on that one day was equivalent to six years. The hottest month is July, with a mean minimum temperature of and a mean maximum temperature of . The coldest is January, with a mean minimum temperature of and a mean maximum temperature of . There are between 205 and 213 days of clear to partly cloudy weather.Climate and air pollution of Tehran (in Persian)
atlas.tehran.ir Summer is hot and dry with little rain, and relative humidity is generally low. Average high temperatures are between and during summer months, and it can sometimes rise up to during heat waves. Average low temperatures in summer are between and . It can occasionally drop to below in the mountainous north of the city at night. Winter is cold and occasionally snowy, with an average of 12.3 snow days annually in central Tehran and 23.7 snow days annually in northern Tehran. During the winter months, average high temperatures are between and . Average low temperatures are between and , and it can occasionally drop to below during cold waves. The highest recorded temperature was on 3 July 1958. The lowest recorded temperature was on 8 January 1969. In February 2005, heavy snow covered all parts of Tehran. Snow depth was recorded as in the south and in the north. One newspaper reported that it had been the worst weather in 34 years. Ten thousand bulldozers and 13,000 municipal workers were deployed to keep the main roads open. On 5 and 6 January 2008, a wave of heavy snow and low temperatures covered Tehran in a thick layer of snow and ice, forcing the Council of Ministers to declare a state of emergency and close down the capital from 6 January to 7 January.Heavy Snowfall in Tehran (in Persian)
irna.com On 3 February 2014, Tehran received heavy snowfall, specifically in the northern parts of the city, with a depth of . In one week of successive snowfalls, roads were made impassable in some areas, with the temperature ranging from to . On 3 June 2014, a severe thunderstorm with powerful microbursts created a haboob, engulfing Tehran in sand and dust and causing five deaths, with more than 57 injured. This event knocked down numerous trees and power lines. It struck between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., dropping temperatures from to within an hour. The dramatic temperature drop was accompanied by wind gusts reaching nearly .
Environmental issues
Tehran is located near two major fault lines. Tehran suffers from severe air pollution, 80% of it due to cars. The remaining 20% is due to industrial pollution. Other estimates suggest that motorcycles account for 30% of air and 50% of noise pollution in Tehran. Tehran is considered one of the strongest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the Middle East. Enhanced concentration of carbon dioxide over Tehran, that likely originate from the anthropogenic urban sources in the city, is easily detectable from satellite observations throughout the year. A plan to move the capital has been discussed many times in prior years, due mainly to the environmental issues of the region. In 2010, the government announced that "for security and administrative reasons, the plan to move the capital from Tehran has been finalized." There are plans to relocate 163 state firms and several universities from Tehran to avoid damages from a potential earthquake.
City officials are engaged in a battle to reduce air pollution. They have, for instance, encouraged taxis and buses to convert from petrol engines to compressed natural gas. The government has set up a "Traffic Zone" covering the city centre during peak traffic hours. Entering and driving inside this zone is only allowed with a special permit. There are efforts to raise people's awareness of the hazards of pollution. Pollution Indicator Boards have been installed all around the city to monitor the level of Atmospheric particulate matter, particulate matter (PM2.5/PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO).
Economy
Tehran is the economic centre of Iran. About 30% of Iran's public-sector workforce and 45% of its large industrial firms are located in the city, and almost half of these workers are employed by the government. Most of the remainder of workers are factory workers, shopkeepers, laborers, and transport workers.
Few foreign companies operate in Tehran, due to the government's complex international relations. But prior to the 1979 Revolution, many foreign companies were active in Iran. Tehran's present-day modern industries include the manufacturing of automobiles, electronics and electrical equipment, weaponry, textiles, sugar, cement, and chemical products. It is also a leading centre for the sale of carpets and furniture. The oil refining companies of Pars Oil, Sepahan Oil Company, Speedy, and Behran Oil Company, Behran are based in Tehran.
Tehran relies heavily on private cars, buses, motorcycles, and taxis, and is one of the most car-dependent cities in the world. The Tehran Stock Exchange, which is a full member of the World Federation of Exchanges and a founding member of the Federation of Euro-Asian Stock Exchanges.
Fashion industry
Design, manufacturing, distribution, marketing, retail, advertising and other sectors of the Fashion in Iran, fashion industry in Tehran have been able to grow significantly according to the needs of the country. In particular, a large number of male and female models are working in Tehran's fashion advertising and promotion sections. Despite the lack of adequate laws to support models, payments to female models have been considered high. Also, modeling of children is usually prohibited in Tehran. Clothing manufacturers are closely related to other fashion sectors in Tehran. For example, the manufacturers of women's boots and bodysuits have strengthened their exports and branding in other countries by using this connection.Shopping
Tehran has a wide range of shopping centers and is home to over 60 modern shopping malls. The city has a number of commercial districts, including those located at Valiasr Street, Valiasr, Davoodiyeh, Davudie, and Zafaraniyeh, Zaferanie. The largest old bazaars are the Grand Bazaar, Tehran, Grand Bazaar and the Tajrish, Bazaar of Tajrish. Iran Mall is the largest mall in the world in area. Most of the international branded stores and upper-class shops are in the northern and western parts of the city. Tehran's retail business is growing with several newly built malls and shopping centres. Shoe (Mostly women's boots) manufacturing companies in Tehran can be reached in the malls.Tourism
Tehran, as one of the main tourist destinations in Iran, has a wealth of cultural attractions. It is home to royal complexes of Golestan Palace, Golestan, Sa'dabad Complex, Saadabad and Niavaran Complex, Niavaran, which were built under the reign of the country's last two monarchies. There are several historic, artistic, and scientific museums in Tehran, including: * National Museum of Iran, National Museum * Malik National Museum of Iran, Malek Museum * Cinema Museum at Ferdows Garden * Abgineh Museum of Tehran, Abgineh Museum * Museum of the Qasr Prison * The Carpet Museum of Iran, Carpet Museum * Reverse Glass Painting Museum (vitray art) * Safir Office Machines Museum * Palestine Square Countdown Clock The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Contemporary Art hosts works of famous artists such as Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Andy Warhol. The Iranian Crown Jewels, Iranian Imperial Crown Jewels, one of the largest jewel collections in the world, are on display at Tehran's National Jewelry Museum. A number of cultural and trade exhibitions take place in Tehran, which are mainly operated by the country's Iran International Exhibitions Company, International Exhibitions Company. The annual Tehran International Book Fair, International Book Fair is known to the international publishing world as one of the most important publishing events in Asia.Infrastructure
Highways and streets
Following the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the political system changed from constitutional monarchy to Islamic republic. Then the construction of political power in the country needed to change so that new spectrums of political power decision-making centers emerged in Iran. Motives, desires and actions of these new political power decision-making centers in Iran, made them rename streets and public places throughout the country, especially Tehran. For example Shahyad square changed to Azadi Square, Azadi square and Pahlavi street changed to Valiasr Street, Valiasr street. The metropolis of Tehran is equipped with a large network of highways and interchanges.
According to the head of Tehran Municipality's Environment and Sustainable Development Office, Tehran was designed to have a capacity of about 300,000 cars, but more than five million cars are on the roads. The automotive industry has recently developed, but international sanctions influence the production processes periodically. According to local media, Tehran has more than 200,000 taxis plying the roads daily, with several types of taxi available in the city. Airport taxis have a higher cost per kilometer as opposed to regular green and yellow taxis in the city.
Buses
Buses have served the city since the 1920s. Tehran's transport system includes conventional buses, trolleybuses, and bus rapid transit (BRT). The city's four major bus stations include the South Terminal, the East Terminal, the West Terminal, and the northcentral Beyhaghi Terminal. The trolleybus system was opened in 1992, using a fleet of 65 articulated bus, articulated trolleybuses built by Czech Republic's Škoda Works, Škoda.Murray, Alan (2000). ''World Trolleybus Encyclopaedia'', pp. 57 and 99. Yateley, Hampshire, UK: Trolleybooks. . This was the first trolleybus system in Iran. In 2005, trolleybuses were operating on five routes, all starting at Imam Hossein Square.''Trolleybus Magazine'' No. 265 (January–February 2006), pp. 16–17. National Trolleybus Association (UK). . Two routes running northeastwards operated almost entirely in a segregated Bus Rapid Transit, busway located in the middle of the wide carriageway along Damavand Street, stopping only at purpose-built stops located about every 500 metres along the routes, effectively making these routes trolleybus-BRT (but they were not called such). The other three trolleybus routes ran south and operated in mixed traffic. Both route sections were served by limited-stop services and local (making all stops) services. A 3.2-kilometer extension from Shoosh Square to Rah Ahan Square was opened in March 2010.''Trolleybus Magazine'' No. 298 (July–August 2011), pp. 89–90. National Trolleybus Association (UK). Visitors in 2014 found that the trolleybus system had closed, apparently sometime in 2013.Haseldine, Peter (March–April 2015). "Tehran Closure". ''Trolleybus Magazine'' No. 320, pp. 40–43. National Trolleybus Association (UK). . However, it reopened in March 2016, operating on a single 1.8-km route between Meydan-e-Khorasan (Khorasan Square) and Bozorgrah-e-Be'sat.''Trolleybus Magazine'' No. 328 (July–August 2016), pp. 118–119. National Trolleybus Association (UK). Around 30 vehicles had been refurbished and returned to service. Extensions were planned. Tehran Bus Rapid Transit, Tehran's bus rapid transit (BRT) was officially inaugurated in 2008. It has 10 lines with some 215 stations in different areas of the city. , the BRT system had a network of , transporting 1.8 million passengers on a daily basis.Railway and subway
Tehran has a Tehran Railway Station, central railway station that connects services round the clock to various cities in the country, along with a Tehran–Europe train line also running. The feasibility study and conceptual planning of the construction of Tehran's subway system were started in the 1970s.
Airport
Tehran is served by the international airports of Mehrabad International Airport, Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini International Airport, Imam Khomeini. Mehrabad Airport, an old airport in western Tehran that doubles as a military base, is mainly used for domestic and charter flights. Imam Khomeini Airport, located south of the city, handles the main international flights.Parks and green spaces
There are over 2,100 parks within the metropolis of Tehran, with one of the oldest being Jamshidieh Park, Jamshidie Park, which was first established as a private garden for Qajar prince Jamshid Davallu, and was then dedicated to the last empress of Iran, Farah Pahlavi. The total green space within Tehran stretches over 12,600 hectares, covering over 20 percent of the city's area. The Parks and Green Spaces Organization of Tehran was established in 1960, and is responsible for the protection of the urban nature present in the city. Tehran's Birds Garden is the largest bird park in Iran. There is also Tehran Zoological Garden, a zoo located on the Tehran–Karaj Expressway, housing over 290 species within an area of about five hectares. In 2009, the Ab-o-Atash Park ("Water and Fire park") was founded. Its main features are an open water fountain area for cooling in the hot climate, fire towers, and an amphitheatre.Energy
Greater Tehran is supplied by surface water from the Lar Dam, Lar dam on the Lar River in the northeast of the city, the Latyan Dam, Latyan dam on the Jajrood River in the north, the Karaj River in the northwest, as well as by groundwater in the vicinity of the city. The city experiences Tehran water shortage, stark water supply inequalities: impoverished districts struggle with inadequate water provision and hazardous water quality, while affluent areas are largely exempt from these hardships. According to the national energy roadmap, the government plans to promote green technology to increase the nominal capacity of power plants from 74 gigawatts to over 120 gigawatts by the end of 2025. Solar panels have been installed in Pardisan Park for green electricity production, said Masoumeh Ebtekar, head of the Department of Environment.Education
Tehran is the largest and most important educational center in Iran. There are a total of nearly 50 major colleges and universities in Greater Tehran. Since the establishment of Dar ul-Funun (Persia), Dar ol Fonun by the order of Amir Kabir in the mid-19th century, Tehran has amassed a large number of institutions of higher education. Some of these institutions have played crucial roles in the unfolding of Iranian political events. Samuel M. Jordan, whom Jordan Avenue in Tehran was named after, was one of the founding pioneers of the Alborz High School, American College of Tehran, which was one of the first modern high schools in the Middle East. Tehran is home to Iran's largest military academy and several religious schools and seminaries. Among major educational institutions located in Tehran, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), University of Tehran, Sharif University of Technology, and Tehran University of Medical Sciences are the most prestigious. Other major universities located in Tehran include Tehran University of Art, Allameh Tabatabaei University, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Shahid Beheshti University (Melli University), Kharazmi University, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology, Iran's Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, Shahed University, and Tarbiat Modarres University. Sharif University of Technology, Amirkabir University of Technology, Iran University of Science and Technology and K. N. Toosi University of Technology also located in Tehran is nationally well known for taking in the top undergraduate Engineering and Science students; and internationally recognized for training competent undergraduate students. It has probably the highest percentage of graduates who seek higher education abroad.Culture
List of festivals in Iran, Iranian festivals are held in Tehran along with regional and western festivals. Nowruz, Chaharshanbe Suri, Sizdah Be-dar, Yaldā Night, Valentine's Day and Halloween have been popular festivals in recent decades.Architecture
The oldest surviving architectural monuments are from the Qajar dynasty, Qajar and Pahlavi dynasty, Pahlavi eras. In Greater Tehran, monuments dating back to the Seljuk Empire, Seljuk era remain as well; notably the Tughrul Tower, Toqrol Tower in Ray. Rashkan Castle, dating back to the ancient Parthian Empire, of which some artifacts are housed at the National Museum of Iran, National Museum; and the Bahram fire temple, which remains since the Sasanian Empire, Sassanian Empire. Tehran only had a small population until the late 18th century but began to take a more considerable role in Iranian society after it was chosen as the capital city. Despite the regular occurrence of earthquakes during the Qajar period and after, some historic buildings remain from that era. Tehran is Iran's primate city, and is considered to have the most modernized infrastructure in the country. However, the gentrification of old neighbourhoods and the demolition of buildings of cultural significance have caused concerns.the National Garden, Tehran, National Garden
Fashion and clothing
The city has produced many notable Iranian design houses and clothing companies. Fashion events are also held in some areas of the city. Many famous Iranian models were born in Tehran, including Nazanin Afshin-Jam, Cameron Alborzian, Sahar Biniaz, Elnaaz Norouzi, Shermine Shahrivar and Sadaf Taherian. Women of Tehran widely used over-the-knee and leather boots after 2000s.Theater
Under the reign of the Qajar dynasty, Qajars, Tehran was home to the royal theatre of Tekyeh Dowlat, Tekye Dowlat, located to the southeast of the Golestan Palace, in which traditional and religious performances were observed. It was eventually demolished and replaced with a bank building in 1947, following the reforms during the reign of Reza Shah.
Before the 1979 Revolution, the Iranian national stage had become the most famous performing scene for known international artists and troupes in the Middle East, with the Vahdat Hall, formerly known as Rudaki Hall, constructed to function as the national stage for opera and ballet. The hall was inaugurated in October 1967 and named after prominent Persian poet Rudaki. It is home to the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, the Tehran Opera Orchestra, and the Iranian National Ballet Company.
The City Theater of Tehran, one of Iran's biggest theatre complexes, which contains several performance halls, was opened in 1972. It was built at the initiative and presidency of Empress Farah Pahlavi, and was designed by architect Ali Sardar Afkhami, constructed within five years.
One of the gathering centers of cabarets in old Tehran was Laleh-Zar Street. Famous Persian cabarets were active in the city until 1979. They also introduced many domestic artists. In common language, cabaret was sometimes called "home of dance" or "dancing place".
The annual events of Fajr International Theater Festival, Fajr Theater Festival and Tehran International Puppet Theatre Festival, Tehran Puppet Theater Festival take place in Tehran.
Cinema
The first movie theater in Tehran was established by Mirza Ebrahim Khan Sahhafbashi, Mirza Ebrahim Khan in 1904. Until the early 1930s, there were 15 theaters in Tehran province and 11 in other provinces. Most of the movie theatres are located downtown. The complexes of Kourosh Complex, Kourosh Cinema, Mellat Park, Mellat Gallery and Cineplex, Azadi Cinema Complex, Azadi Cinema, and Cinema Farhang are among the most popular cinema complexes in Tehran. Several film festivals are held in Tehran, including Fajr International Film Festival, Fajr Film Festival, International Film Festival for Children and Youth, Children and Youth Film Festival, House of Cinema Festival, Mobile Film and Photo Festival, Nahal Festival, Roshd International Film Festival, Roshd Film Festival, Tehran Animation Festival, Tehran Short Film Festival, and Urban Film Festival.Music and dance
There are a variety of concert halls in Tehran. An organization like the Roudaki Culture and Art Foundation has five different venues where more than 500 concerts take place this year. Vahdat Hall, Roudaki Hall, Ferdowsi Hall, Hafez Hall and Azadi Theater are the top five venues in Tehran, where classical, pop, traditional, rock or solo concerts take place. Erotic dancers were active and trained in Tehran until the 1979 revolution. But after this date, due to the policies of the new government, these activities were completely banned.Sports
Football and volleyball are the city's most popular sports, while wrestling, basketball, and futsal are also major parts of the city's sporting culture. Ice hockey and rugby are also popular. List of ski areas and resorts in Iran, 12 ski resorts operate in Iran, the most famous being Tochal Complex, Tochal, Dizin, and Shemshak (ski resort), Shemshak, all within one to three hours from the city of Tehran. Tochal's resort is the world's fifth-highest ski resort at over above sea level at its highest point. It is also the world's nearest ski resort to a capital city. The resort was opened in 1976, shortly before the 1979 Revolution. It is equipped with an gondola lift that covers a huge vertical distance. There are two parallel chair ski lifts in Tochal that reach high near Tochal's peak, rising higher than the gondola's seventh station, which is higher than any of the European ski resorts. From the Tochal peak, there are views of the Alborz range, including the Mount Damavand, a dormant volcano. Tehran is the site of the Azadi Stadium, national stadium of Azadi, the List of stadiums by capacity, biggest stadium by capacity in West Asia, where many of the top matches of Iran's Premier League are held. The stadium is a part of the Azadi Sport Complex, which was originally built to host the 1974 Asian Games, 7th Asian Games in September 1974. This was the first time the Asian Games were hosted in West Asia. Tehran played host to 3,010 athletes from 25 countries/NOCs, which was at the time the highest number of participants since the inception of the Games. That followed hosting the 1976 AFC Asian Cup, 6th AFC Asian Cup in June 1976, and then the first West Asian Games in November 1997. The success of the games led to the creation of the West Asian Games, West Asian Games Federation (WAGF), and the intention of hosting the games every two years. The city had also hosted the final of the 1968 AFC Asian Cup. Several FIVB Volleyball World League courses have also been hosted in Tehran. In 2014, the city hosted the FILA Wrestling World Cup event at the Azadi Indoor Stadium.Food
There are many restaurants and cafes in Tehran, both modern and classic, serving both Iranian and cosmopolitan cuisine. Pizzerias, sandwich bars, and kebab shops make up the majority of food shops in Tehran.Graffiti
Many styles of graffiti are seen in Tehran. Some are political and revolutionary slogans painted by governmental organizations, and some are works of art by ordinary citizens, representing their views on both social and political issues. However, unsanctioned street art is forbidden in Iran, and such works are usually short-lived. During the 2009 Iranian presidential election protests, many graffiti works were created by people supporting the Iranian Green Movement, Green Movement. They were removed from the walls by the paramilitary Basij forces. In recent years, Tehran Municipality has been using graffiti in order to beautify the city. Several graffiti festivals have also taken place in Tehran, including the one organized by the Tehran University of Art in October 2014.Twin towns – sister cities
Tehran is Sister city, twinned with: * Ankara, Turkey * Baghdad, Iraq * Beijing, China * Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan * Brasília, Brazil * Budapest, Hungary * Caracas, Venezuela * Dushanbe, Tajikistan * East Jerusalem, Palestine * Havana, Cuba * Kabul, Afghanistan * Khartoum, Sudan * London, England, United Kingdom * Los Angeles, United States * Manila, Philippines * Minsk, Belarus * Moscow, Russia * Pretoria, South Africa * Sanaa, Yemen * Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina * Tbilisi, Georgia * Yerevan, Armenia * Seoul, South KoreaSee also
* Iran International Exhibitions Company * Islamic City Council of Tehran * List of people from Tehran * Tehran City Council (1968–1979)Notes
References
Bibliography
* Emerson, Charles. ''1913: In Search of the World Before the Great War'' (2013) compares Tehran to 20 major world cities; pp. 309–24.External links
Google Map: Tehran
Tehran Municipality website
Tehran Geographic Information Center
Tehranimages.
A photographic project focusing on neglected pieces of architecture in downtown Tehran, Iran.
Must see in Tehran
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