Tehran (تهران)

Tehran, or Teheran, is a polluted and overcrowded city and this, combined with irresponsible city planning, makes it one of the world's most chaotic cities. Tehran is spread out over a vast area and distances between interesting sites are great.

The first settlements in the area date from Neolithic times, around 4000 BC, but Tehran didn's start to become important until the 16th century. Around 1550 the Safavid kings favored Tehran's natural settings and good hunting grounds. More and more important people started visiting the area and Tehran developed from a moderate trading post into an elegant city. Europeans who visited Tehran wrote about its vineyards and beautiful gardens. Agha Mohammed Khan declared Tehran his capital in 1786. In 1795 he crowned himself Shah of Persia.

Tehran kept growing under later Ghajar rulers and in 1920 the city was modernized and streets were laid out in a grid system. The enormous population growth that started around that time caused uncontrolled urban development and nowadays it's a hopeless mess. If you get lost wandering around the capital, and you will, you can always use the Alborz Mountains as a landmark. They are north of the city and often referred to as Tehran's 'North Star' that will guide you. At Emam Khomeini Square just south of the city center is the huge telephone office, which is another good landmark.

Another good focus point is the Milad Tower, which is the world's sixth-tallest self-supporting tower. it was constructed in 2007. Tehran International Tower is the tallest skyscraper in Iran. It has 54 storyes and it is located in the northern district of Yusef Abad. Azadi Tower was built during the reign of Mohammad Reza Shah in 1971 to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire. The royal complexes of Golestan, Sa'dabad and Niavaran were built during the reign of Iran's last two monarchies. The Tabiat Bridge is the largest pedestrian overpass in Tehran. It was built in 2014. Other interesting sites include Hasanabad Square, City Theater of Tehran and the National Garden (Bāq-e Melli, باغ ملی), or Ministry of Foreign Affairs Gate is a historical and governmental compound in Tehran.

There are several historical monuments in the region around Tehran, including the Toqrol Tower in Ray, the Bahram fire temple and Rashkan Castle, of which some artifacts can be seen in the National Museum.

Tehran has a huge, colorful bazaar. It is so extensive that it is impossible to see it all in one day. Other interesting sights in the capital include the Emam Khomeini Mosque, which is very busy any time a day and the Sarkis Cathedral, where Armenians come to pray. Tehran has numerous lush gardens and parks, where you can relax and get away from all the dust and noise.

Several cultural and trade exhibitions take place in tahran throughout the year. The city's annual International Book Fair is known to the international publishing world as one of the most important publishing events in Asia.

Accommodation in Tehran is usually very good. Even the cheaper places are of high standards. Most of the budget hotels are located in the southern part of the city, around the Emam Khomeini Square. There is a great variety of restaurants in the capital. Tehran's people are generally very friendly. Public transportation in the city is not too well organized, but it will get you almost anywhere. A subway line was opened in August 2001 to ease trafic and reduce pollution. The international airport is 10 km (6 mi) southwest of the city center.