Tehran - Iran and economy

Hi guys!

After a 25 hour flight we finally have arrived in Tehran. Our hotel is in the middle of the city an the weather here is very nice! Tehran is the capital city of Iran and the Theran Province. With a population of about 8,300,000 and about 14 million metropolitan area, it is Iran's largest city and urban area, and one of the largest cities in Western Asia.

Flag of Iran

Tehran is a modern city featuring many structures, of which the Azadi (Freedom) Tower and the Milad Tower have come to be symbols of Tehran itself. Tehran is ranked 29th in the world by the population of its metropolitan area. Throughout Iran's history, the capital has been moved many times, and Tehran is the 32nd national capital of Iran although it has been Iran's capital for about 220 years. Persian is the city's native tongue, spoken by roughly 98% of the population. The majority of people in Tehran identify themselves as Persians.

Some history of Tehran

In the 1920s and 30s, the city essentially was rebuilt from scratch under the rule of the Shah of Iran, Reza Shah Pahlavi. Reza Shah believed that ancient buildings such as large parts of the Golestan Palace, Takieh-ye Dowlat, the Toopkhaneh Square, the city fortifications and the old citadel among others should not be part of a modern city.

They were systematically destroyed and modern buildings in the pre-islamic Iranian style, such as the National Bank, the Police Headquarters, the Telegraph Office and the Military Academy were built in their place. 

Many historic buildings were destroyed in order to build wide straight avenues in the capital. Many Persian gardens also fell victim to new construction projects.

During World War II, Soviet and British troops entered the city. Tehran was the site of the Tehran Conference in 1943, attended by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin, and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

 The Milad Tower

Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

the Islamic revolution of 1979

In the 1960s and 70s Tehran was rapidly developing under the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Modern buildings altered the face of Tehran and ambitious projects were envisioned for the following decades. The majority of these projects were continued after the Islamic revolution of 1979 when Tehran's urbanization had reached its peak, and the new government started many other new projects, such as Milad Tower. During the 1980–88 Iran–Iraq War, Tehran was the target of repeated Scud missile attacks and air strikes.

Some economical information

Central Bank of Iran building

Some facts

• Tehran is the economic centre of Iran
• About 30% of Iran's public-sector workforce and 45% of large industrial firms are located in Tehran and almost half of these workers work for the government.
• Most of the remainder of workers are factory workers, shopkeepers, laborers, and transport workers. 
• Few foreign companies operate in Tehran because of the Iranian government's relations to the west.
• Today many modern industries of this city include the manufacturing of automobiles, electronics and electrical equipment, weaponry, textiles, sugar, cement, and chemical products.
• Tehran is the leading center for the sale of carpets and furniture.
• Tehran has four airports : Mehrabad International Airport, Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport, Ghal'eh Morghi airfield and Doshan Tappeh Air Base.
• 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 has been one of the world's best performing stock exchanges in recent years.

Tehran also known as The City of Lights", "Persian Capital" , "The Great Tehran", "City of Proper"

More info and blognews about Tehran soon!!

Bye guys!

Greetz Klaas