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- Iran’s official language is Persian, or Farsi.
- Shi‘i Islam has been Iran’s state religion since the 1500s.
- More than 10 percent of Iran’s population is nomadic or seminomadic, meaning that they lack permanent homes and move from place to place instead of living in just one location.
- Men and women do not display affection in public, even if married.
- In the desert city of Yazd, located in central Iran, some older houses are built below ground, where residents can escape the heat. These houses feature special towers that are designed to catch breezes and divert them downward, creating a kind of natural air conditioning.
- Boys and girls attend separate schools, except in some rural areas where there is not enough space.
- Most marriages are arranged by families. In the past, this meant that many girls married their cousins. But attitudes about freedom in selecting marriage partners are changing in some areas of Iran.
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View detail map as PDF
View outline map as PDF |
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The flag of Iran was most recently adopted on 29 July 1980. It features three stripes—green, white, and red. Green represents Islam, white symbolizes peace, and red stands for courage. The word Allah (God) is centered in the white stripe. Along the edge of both the green and red stripes, the words Allaho Akbar (God is Great) are written 22 times in Arabic. |
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Mount Damavand, a dormant (not active) volcano, is the highest point in the country, at 18,606 feet (5,671 m). It’s located in northern Iran, in the Elburz mountain range. Mount Damavand plays an important role in Persian mythology. Many people consider it as a symbol of Iranian resistance to foreign rule. |
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