Language:
Persian (Farsi) is the most widely spoken language. Arabic is spoken in Khuzestan in the southwest and Turkish in the northwest around Tabriz. English, French and (to a lesser extent) German are spoken by many businessmen and officials.

Location:
Middle East.
Area: 1,648,000 sq km (636,296 sq miles).
Population: 73,727,000 (estimate 2007).
Population Density: 38 per sq km
Capital: Tehran.
Geography: Iran is located in the Middle East, bounded to the north by the CIS and the Caspian Sea, the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan, the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and the west by Iraq and Turkey.
The center and east of the country is largely barren undulating desert, punctured by Qantas (irrigation canals and tree eases, but there are mountainous regions in the west along the Turkish and Iraqi borders and in the north where the Alburz Mountains rise steeply from a fertile belt around the Caspian Sea.

Money:
Currency: Iranian Rials. Notes are in denominations of RL 50000, 20000, 10000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of 500, 250, 100, 50. All foreign currencies such as Euro, Pound Sterling, US Dollars and Yens can be exchanged and credit cards (Master Card & Visa) are also accepted.

Dress:
According to the Islamic and social beliefs in Iran, it is necessary for women to be modestly covered & wearing a head scarf.

Duty Free:
The import of following goods into Iran is strictly prohibited: Alcohol, narcotics, guns and ammunitions, radio apparatus, fashion magazines and obscene publications, and filmed, recorded or printed material carrying views contrary to those held by the Islamic regulations. Each passenger leaving the country is permitted to take his/her own personal luggage as well as Persian handicrafts, Gelims and one carpet (not bigger than 3 sq meters) as long as they are not antiques. Export of all antiques such as gems, coins, and handwritten manu-scripts is prohibited.
To export musical instruments, a permit is required from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

Government:
Legislative power is vested in the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis), with 275 members. The chief executive is the President, and both are elected by universal adult suffrage for a four-year term.
A twelve-member Council of Guardians ensures that legislation is in accordance with the constitution and Islamic precepts.

Passport/Visa:
Entry restrictions: Nationals of Israel will be refused entry under all circumstances.
Passports: Valid passport required by all.
Visas: Required by all except nationals of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey (for a stay not exceeding 3 months). Requirements are subject to change at short notice, and you are advised to contact the appropriate Embassy or Consular Section.
Types of visa: Entry, Transit, Business, Tourist and Journalist. Fee varies according to nationality of applicant, type of' visa and the existing regulation between countries.
Note: A visa cannot be issued for passports which have a validity of less than 6 months. Exit permits required by all (often included with visa). Validity: Entry visa: up to 3 months from date of authorization.
Transit visa: maximum of 10 days. Application to: Embassy or Consulate.
Application requirements: Two completed application forms, four passports - sized photos and visa fees.
Note: To acquire a tourist visa within 10 days, it would be easier to apply to local tour operators in Iran .Temporary residence: All foreigners wishing to stay for more than three months must obtain a residence permit.

Religion:
Predominantly Islamic; mostly Shi'ite, with a minority of Sunnis. Many Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians also live in Iran.

Climate:
Iran's climate is regarded as a complex climates ranging from subtropical to sub polar. The climate of Tehran is characterized by four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Fall lasts from early October to late December. The cold season usually begins in December. The weather in Tehran area during the congress is nice, but cool breezes and a little bit of rainfall might be expected.

Iran, traditionally known as "The Land of Aryans", is proud of 5,000 years of history through which has flourished a unique culture. Evidence of Iran's unique 5,000-year-old history and culture can be found everywhere. Every city and village has their share of traditional festivals that preserve the old ways of life that are updated to cater to the comforts of foreign visitors. Modern Iran pursuing its growth is today a dynamic nation that has rebuilt itself from the devastation of the Iraq War and has achieved an economic growth in just 15 years. Iran is the land of historical sites and cultural heritage. The land of beauty. The land of flowers & birds. Iran, a land of poets and poetry, ancient and modern art, and a great variety of cultures and sub-cultures in a diverse land with lakes, deserts, seas, mountains and valleys ... Iran, as a bridge, links the Caspian Sea, the most beautiful land locked and the largest body of water in the world, to the Persian Gulf, and also it is a cross roads on the way of east to west, i.e. the junction of cultural, intellectual and political manifestations of the worlds of east and west. Limpid water springs, pomegranate orchards, pistachio gardens, rows of Lombard poplars, decampment of nomads in different seasons, stelliferous night, rocks, mountains, endless high and low lands, snow clad extinct volcanoes, luxuriant forests of Alborz mountains chain, and coastlines of the Caspian Sea are amongst the eye-catching and memorable landscapes of Iran's nature which leave unique memories in the minds of tourists.
The Iranian plateau is one of the oldest centers of ancient civilization in Asia; consequently, it has a lofty position from the viewpoint of archaeology.

Tehran
the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the largest metropolitans of the world, and it is the country's largest economic center and the base for its large and small modern technological and industrial establishments. Located on the slopes of the mountains and at the foot of the magnificent Mount Damavand, it has been the country's capital city for over 200 years now. Nearly 14 Million people live in Tehran in contrast to two hundred thousand in 1920. Tehran is pleasant, it derives its originality from its dry climate, always cool in the evening, the nearness of the mountains, its numerous parks and gardens where flowers blossom throughout the year, the alleys of trees in the avenues or even smaller streets, the water which runs down from the upper city along deep and wide gutters which look like small rivers during spring.
The Alborz range on the north of Tehran, which hosts the highest peak in the country during winter, provides a very suitable climate for ski lovers. In winter, the mountain hotels and ski-clubs at Shemshak, Shahrestanak and Dizine are full several days a week. Some expert skiers consider the snow quality in northern Tehran to be one of the best in the world. The Golestan (Rose Garden) Palace is one of most visited places in Tehran, which was the Qajars' royal residence. Its garden is an oasis of coolness and silence in the heart of the city. The main building, architecturally unpretentious, houses a museum with objects from the Qajar period in the overloaded and pompous style of last century. In the Golestan garden, a one-story pavilion to the right and slightly behind the entrance, shelters one of the best organized museums in Tehran.
It contains about thirty showcases presenting everything, which makes up the basic originality of Iranian life in the various provinces of the country. Most Iranian industries are headquartered in Tehran. The industries include the manufacturing of automobiles, electrical equipment, military weaponry, textiles, sugar, cement, and chemical products.

It is also a leading center for the sale of carpets and furniture. There is also an oil refinery located in south of the city.


The World Clock - Time Zone difference from Iran – Tehran