Famous cities

Tehran
Tehran is the capital and the most important political and economic center of the country. Tehran is situated central north of the country, on the southern slopes of Alborz Mountains. It lies at an elevation of 1,100 meters above the Caspian Sea level and it is the vastest and most populous city of Iran, ranking among the most prominent cities of the world. Tehran which means “warm slope”, was a village in the suburb of the ancient Iranian capital of Rey, and after the fall of Rey by the Mongols in 1220 A.D., its residents moved to Tehran and the foundation for it to become a city was thus laid. After the establishment of a constitutional government in the early 20th century, Tehran has been declared, in the Constitution, as the capital and the seat of the Majlis (Parliament). Tehran’s population has been steadily rising. In 1923, the population of Tehran amounted to 210,000, in 1966 it reached 2.7 million, in 1988 it went over 6 million, and now it stands at above 12 million. The population of the capital is further increased by another 3 million who commute to Tehran during work hours. From the 1940s and over the course of the subsequent six decades, the shape of the city has been heavily altered, with the city witnessing the erection of large modern public and governmental buildings, new parks, sports arenas, well equipped modern hospitals, universities and educational centers, theatres, museums, luxurious hotels and restaurants as well many other structures. The development of urban facilities in Tehran however has caused an influx of immigration into the city.

Major Attractions in Tehran and its Suburbs
Dar-Al Fonoun and Shahid Motahari schools, Azadi tower, Imam Khomeini mosque, palaces of Golestan , Saheb Qaranieh and Niavaran, Ab-Ali & Dizin ski resorts, Tochal cable car, Pardisan and Eram parks, Tehran bazaar, the zoo and Lar dam are some of the attractions and the natural and cultural icons of the city. In the suburb of Tehran, such as in the city of Shahr-e Rey, one can witness the Ruins of Ashkani palace on Cheshm-e Ali hill, Sassanid stone engraving of mount Sarsareh and Tabrak castle. The city of Karaj also hosts Takht-e Rostam and Shah Abbasi.

The University of Tehran and the Capital
The University of Tehran is known as the symbol of higher education in Iran. The main campus of the University is located in the central part of the city. However, other campuses are spread across the city as well as in the suburbs such as the Baghe Negarestan Campus at the central eastern part of the city, the Northern Amirabad Campuses at the central western part of the city and the Abureyhan Campus in the suburb of the capital. The main gate of the University with its specific design and modern architecture (at Enghelab Street at the main campus) is the logo of the University and in a more general sense, a logo of education in Iran. The University is one of the city’s attractions, hosting many international and cultural events attracting academia, foreign tourists as well as local residents. The Major festive of Friday Prayers of the capital is held at the University’s main campus every Friday.