Government type
Islamic Republic of Iran

Capital
Tehran

Administrative divisions
There are 28 provinces (or 28 ostanha; singular-ostan): Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr, Chahar Mahall va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan,Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshahan, Khorasan, Khuzestan, Kohkiluyeh va Buyer Ahmadi, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan,Tehran, Yazd and Zanjan

Country name
conventional proper name: Islamic Republic of Iran
conventional short name: Iran
local proper name: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran
local short name: Iran

Geography and Topography
Iran is located at the strategic crossroads between the Western and Eastern worlds. It is bordered by Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan to the north, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east, and Iraq and Turkey to the west. The Caspian Sear lies to the north of Iran, and the Gulf of Oman, the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf lie to the south of the country. The topography of Iran primarily consists of virtually uninhabitable deserts and barren lands with mountain ranges throughout the country. Most of the population lives in the northern, eastern, and southern regions of Iran. Two mountain chains dominate the landscape of Iran, the Zagros Mountains and the Elburz range. Forests and woodlands exist in Iran, but are rather limited.
 

Geographic coordinates
32 00 N, 53 00 E

Climate
Iran is significantly varied in terms of temperature, humidity, and rainfall from place to place and season to season. The temperature decrease as you travel from south to north. In Tehran, the minimum temperature in January may fall to -4^oc
and can reach as high as 37^oc in July. Spring and autumn are marked by a pleasant climate in most regions of Iran. In general, it can be said that the summers are hot and dry and the winters are harsh and snowy.

However, given the climatic diversity, tourists may enjoy winter sports in the mountains while it is possible at the same time, to bathe in the warm waters of southern shores.

Seas
Petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur, stone.

Tourism
For lover of nature, history, culture and art, Iran is a rich and attractive destination. Beautiful landscapes plus spellbinding subterranean caves (such as AliSadr), combine with archaeological sites, historical monuments and magnificent ancient cities. Museums rich with artifacts, historic mosques, shrines, mausoleums, fire temples, tombs, and bazaars are found across the country. Stone relics, traditional pottery, ceramic, brass work, wood carving, traditional costumes, miniature paintings, murals, carpet and rug shops, teahouses with traditional singing, restaurants with delicious Persian dishes, caviar and king-shrimps, and sport entertainment such as skiing, are all part and parcel of Iran.

Modernity as symbolized by cinema, music concerts and plays provides and interesting counterpoint to the ancient and Islamic architecture & art that characterizes Iran.

Isfahan, Mashhad, Shiraz, Tabriz, Tehran, Hamadan, Kerman, Bam, Kermanshah, Yazd, and the Caspian
Sea, are the main tourist centers. Autumn and Spring are the best seasons for travel in Iran. There is a
variety of transportation and hotel accommodations for different categories of tourists. Domestic flights,
trains, buses, taxis, and private cars-for-hire are available. Major crime is generally not a problem for
travelers in Iran.

The traveler must posses a valid passport and proper entry visa to visit Iran. These are necessity for checking into hotels, for boarding flights etc. Incoming and outgoing passengers are allowed to bring in and take out authorized goods in addition to their personal belongings. Travelers are permitted to bring any amount of foreign currencies in to the country provided it is declared and registered on the forms provided at the point of entry. Accordingly, at the time of departure, they may take out any money declared upon their arrival.

For business travel to Iran, contact our sister site: Iranparadise.com