Covering an area of 1,648,000 square kilometers, the Islamic Republic of Iran is located in southwestern Asia. The Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia in the north; Afqanistan and Pakistan in the east; Turkey and Iraq in the west surround the country. On the south Iran borders the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Total terrestrial borders of the country are 5,170 km. and total water borders are 2,510 km.
The Tomb of Hafez and its associated memorial hall, the Hāfezieh, are two memorial structures erected in the northern edge of Shiraz, Iran, in memory of the celebrated Persian poet Hafez. The open pavilion structures are situated in the Musalla Gardens on the north bank of a seasonal river and house the marble tomb of Hafez. The present buildings, built in 1935 and designed by the French architect and archaeologist André Godard, are at the site of previous structures, the most well-known of which was built in 1773. The tomb, its gardens, and the surrounding memorials to other great figures are a focus of tourism in Shiraz
Activities to restore and expand the memorial to Hafez began in 1931, when the orange grove was repaired and the Hāfezieh was altered by a governor of Fars and Isfahan, Faraj-Allāh Bahrāmi Dabir-e Aʿẓam. Additional improvements were delayed until the Ministry of Education organised for a new building to be built, in 1935. André Godard, a French archaeologist and architect, was the technical director of the Department of Antiquities at the time, and was commissioned to design the new buildings.[2]
Alterations to Hafez's tomb involved elevating it one metre above ground level and encircling it with five steps. Eight columns, each ten metres tall, support a copper dome in the shape of a dervish's hat. The underside of the dome is an arabesque and colourful mosaic.[2]
The original, four-columned memorial hall built in 1773 by Karim Khan Zand was extensively expanded. Sixteen pillars were added to the four original, creating a long verandah, and on several façades are engraved ghazals and other excerpts from Hafez's poetry.[2]
Several rectangular pools have been added amongst the gardens, and well-maintained orange trees, paths, streams, and flower beds create a pleasant environment for the tourism hub of Hafez's tomb and memorial hall.[2][3] A tea house on the grounds provides refreshments in a traditional setting.[2][4] The dome over Hafez's grave is well-lit at night, providing an attractive focal point.[5] The former tomb of Qāsem Khan Wāli is now a library containing 10,000 volumes dedicated to Hafez scholarship.[2]
Atiq Jame Mosque, Shiraz
This mosque was built in celebration of the conquest of Shiraz by Saffarid Amroleiss in the year 276 A.H. and was completed in 281 A.H. It has been restored many times. The height of the building and its various nocturnal areas (Shabestans) with beautiful tile work on the ceilings, gives a unique charm to this place.
Nasirol Molk Mosque, Shiraz
This mosque is situated at the end of the Lotfali Khan-e-Zand Street. Nasirol Molk, who was one of the elites of Shiraz, is the founder of this mosque. This mosque is unique for its tile work and architecture. The construction work of mosque began in 1293 A.H. and was finally terminated in 1305 A.H., by Muhammad Hassan Me'mar and Muhammad Reza Kashi Paz Shirazi.
Noe (Shohada) Mosque, Shiraz
In the old times it was called the Atabak Mosque. Its construction work began in 598 A.H. by Atabak Sa'd-ebne-Zangi and was completed in 615 A.H. This very large mosque has a ceiling that is 40 m. high and 25 m. wide supported by 12 lower sections. Its building has been recently restored.
Vakil Mosque, Shiraz
It is one of the most valuable monuments dating back to Zandieh period. Its construction was completed in 1773 A.D. The said premise with an area of 3600 Sq.m. has been furnished with large stones. Its nocturnal area or Shabestan (night prayer hall) with an area of 2700 sq.m. Contains 48 similar tall pillars of stone with a beautiful ceiling and a marble altar that is considered to be one of the master pieces of the Zandieh era.
Other Old Mosques, Fars
Other old mosques of the province include: The Nayreez Jame Mosque, Darab Jame and the Sangi Mosque.
Not all villages in different parts of Iran are permanently residential. Some of them play the role summerhouses for residents of near cities, and therefore are left during autumn and winter. Jahan-nama village is one such village. This village is 60 km south east of the city of Kordkuy, 85 km away from Gorgan, and is on the skirts of a mountain with the same name. Jahan-nama Mountain has its peak with the altitude of 3086 meters above sea level. Jahan-nama village enjoys moderate summers but cold winters. The low temperature and snowing during fall and winter make the people leave the village. However, as mentioned before, people of Gorgan and Kordkuy summer in this village during the two seasons of spring and summer. Therefore, during these two seasons, Jahan-nama not only hosts native villagers but many tourists and guests as well.
Due to its natural condition, special weather, and being situated in Jahan-nama protected zone, this village has magnificent landscapes and exquisite sceneries. Mountain heights, springs, rivers, and forests have given the region unique beauty, especially during springs and summers.
Regarding natural wild life, the village and the regions in its vicinity are one of the significant regions in Iran. Mammals like chamois, goat, ram, leopard, bear, wolf, weasel, and jackal, besides some invaluable species of such birds as partridge, eagle, and osprey constitute the fauna of the region.
The flora of the region relies greatly on the main rivers namely Chaharbaaq, Maqzi, Torkat, and also numerous springs such as Shahpasand, Torkat, Maqzi, Maarsang, Morad-cheshmeh, Haaji-abad, and the like. Jahan-nama region is covered with different types of pasture plants, medicinal plants, meadows, shrubberies, and species of beech, sagebrush, borage, and so on.
The existence of rich meadows has led to thriving animal husbandry in Jahan-nama village, and as a result, various products such as milk, butter, wool, and meat are produced and processed in the village. Some parts of Jahan-nama village farms are cultivated in spring and summer, and among major agricultural products mention can be made of wheat, potato, and vegetables.
House construction in the village has been seriously impacted by the inhabitants' activities and their life style. Thus, most houses are built in the same style as the villas in the country sides, and have a suitable space of resting for the guests during spring and summer. Jahan-nama has a sparse residential texture whose houses are usually made of wood, and their roofs are covered with galvanized sheets to form gable roofs. However, old buildings are made of clay, brick, and wood. This village is accessible via a road coming from the two cities of Gorgan and Kordkuy.
Tehran (Persian: تهران Tehrān pronounced [tehˈɾɒːn]), in languages with Latin characters oftenTeheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With a population of 8,429,807;[3] it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the 21st largest city in the world.
Tehran is the centre of most Iranian industries including automotive, electrical, military, weaponry, textiles, sugar, cement, and chemical. Tehran is also a leading centre for the sale of carpets and furniture. There is an oil refinery located south of the city.[4]
In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to mass-migration of people from all around Iran.The main and original inhabitants of the city are Persians and the principal language of the city is Persian with Tehranese accent spoken natively by over 98% of the city's population [7].The rest 2% are immigrant minority languages including Gilaki, Mazandarani, Armenian, Arabic, Azerbaijani Turkic, Kurdish and Luri and the lingua franca between these ethnic groups is Persian[8]. The city is home to many historic mosques,churches, synagogues and Zoroastrian fire temples. Contemporary Tehran is a modern city featuring many tall structures, of which the Azadi (Freedom) Tower and the Milad Tower have come to be symbols of Tehran itself. Internationally Tehran was in 2008, the least expensive capital in the world and only the second least expensive city globally based on Cost-of-living index, in addition to presenting the best value for money in the world.[5][6][7][8][9] Furthermore globally it stands 19th by city population,[10] 56th by the size of its GDP and 29th by the population of its metropolitan area.[11] Due to long history of Iran, there have been many instances of capital city relocations over the ages and Tehran, currently is the 32nd national capital of Iran
