Iran Travel Guide

Iran — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Middle East.
Language: Persian (Farsi) and Persian dialects are the most widely spoken language, used by 58% of the population. Turkic and Turkic dialects and Kurdish are also used. Arabic is spoken by 1% in Khuzestan in the southwest, and Turkish in the northwest around Tabriz. English, French and (to a lesser extent) German are spoken by many businesspeople and officials.
Area: 1,648,043 sq km (636,313 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 3.5.
Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the round two-pin type.
Population: 65.4 million (CIA estimate 2007).
Population Density: 39.7 per sq km.
Capital City: Tehran. Population: 7.2 million (UN estimate 2003).
Government: Islamic Republic since 1979.
Head of Government: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad since June 2005.
Head of State: Supreme Leader (Rahbar-e Moazam) Ayatollah Ali Khameni since 1989.
Religion: Of the 98% Muslim population, 89% are Shi’a and 9% are Sunni. The remaining 2% consists of Christian, Jewish, Zoroastrian and Baha’i faiths.

Recent History

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was Tehran’s ultra-conservative mayor before winning a run-off vote in elections in June 2005, becoming Iran’s first non-cleric president for 24 years. The conservatives also won decisively in the general election of March 2008.

Despite promising an administration of ‘peace and moderation’, Iran has continued its nuclear program. The president caused controversy early into his presidency over his comments that Israel should be ‘wiped off the map’ and that the Holocaust was a ‘myth’.

US president George W Bush declared Iran part of the ‘axis of evil’ in 2002. Washington has accused Tehran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons and to sabotage US efforts in Iraq. Iran is building its first atomic power station with Russian help but it maintains that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +98. Telephone booths are yellow.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone operators but visitors are advised to check with their service provider before traveling. Coverage is limited to urban areas.

Internet

There are Internet cafés in Tehran and all other major cities.

Media

The struggle for influence and power in Iran is played out in the media. What was once a relatively free press is frequently the subject of censorship. Many pro-reform publications have been closed and reformist writers and editors jailed. The conservative judiciary has also campaigned against the liberal media. Broadcasters are more restricted than the press. Conservative daily papers include Kayhan and Resalat. Etemaad, which had an anti-Ahmadinejad stance, was closed in 2010. The main English-language papers are Iran News, Iran Daily and Tehran Times.

Post

Airmail to Western Europe can take at least two weeks. There are 10 main post offices in Tehran. Post boxes are yellow. Stamps can be bought at some cigarette kiosks.Generally Sat-Thurs 0730-1500, but some main post offices stay open until 2100.

Press

• Conservative dailies include Kayhan and Resalat. Etemaad is a reformist daily.
• The main English-language papers are Iran News, Iran Daily and Tehran Times.

Radio

• IRIB operates eight national networks, provinical services and an external service.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2011
24 Jan Arbaeen
1 Feb Demise of Prophet Mohammad
2 Feb Martyrdom of Imam Reza
11 Feb Victory of Islamic Revolution
20 Feb Birthday of the Prophet Mohammad
20 Mar Nationalization of Oil Industry Day
21 Mar Navruz
15 Jun Birthday Imam Ali
29 Jun Prophet Mohammad receives his calling
16 Jul Birthday Imam Mahdi
21 Aug Martyrdom Imam Ali
31 Aug Eid-e Fitr (Ramadan Ends)
23 Sep Martyrdom Imam Jafar Sadegh
6 Nov Eid-e Ghorban
14 Nov Eid-e Ghadir Khom
26 Nov Islamic New Year
4 Dec Tassoua
5 Dec Ashura

2012
23 Jan Martyrdom of Imam Reza
27 Jan Arbaeen
1 Feb Demise of Prophet Mohammad
4 Feb Birthday of the Prophet Mohammad
11 Feb Victory of Islamic Revolution
20 Mar Nationalization of Oil Industry Day
21 Mar Navruz
15 Jun Birthday Imam Ali
19 Jun Prophet Mohammad receives his calling
16 Jul Birthday Imam Mahdi
11 Aug Martyrdom Imam Ali
19 Aug Eid-e Fitr (Ramadan Ends)
16 Oct Martyrdom Imam Jafar Sadegh
30 Oct Eid-e Ghorban
14 Nov Eid-e Ghadir Khom
15 Nov Islamic New Year
24 Nov Tassoua
24 Nov Ashura
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid-e Ghorban may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information

Irpedia (Tourism Industry Association of Iran)

Unit 9, 27 Khansari Alley, Somayyeh Street, Tehran, Iran
Tel: (21) 8834 5269.
Website: www.irpedia.com

Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the UK

16 Prince’s Gate, London SW7 1PT, UK
Tel: (020) 7225 3000.
Website: www.iran-embassy.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

Iranian Consulate in the UK

50 Kensington Court, Kensington High Street, London W8 5DB, UK
Tel: (020) 7937 5225.
Website: www.iran-embassy.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1230.