Tehran is the capital of Iran. The name Tehran is derived from Iran/Tirgan? which means “The Abode of Tir”. The city, which was known as a village in the 9th century, turned out to be a residence of the Safavid rulers in the 17th century. Later in the 18th century, Karim Khan Zand planned to make Tehran as his capital though the plan was later changed. However, in 1795, the city became the capital of Persia. The city suffered major set back during the Iraq-Iran War in 1980-`88. It later revived and is now the center of the Tehran Province. It is also the industrial as well as the economic hub of the country.

Area & Location: Situated at the foot of the Alborz mountain range, Tehran is located at 35?0′ Latitude North and 51?5′ Longitude East. The city, which covers a total area of 1500 sq. km is home to 7,160,094 of its inhabitants.

Tourist Attractions: Tehran has various cultural attractions that attract the attention of the tourists. The historical monuments also make the city a well-known tourist destination.

Transportation: The Metro system, which opened in 2001, is a real relief to the daily travelers. Mehrabad International Airport and Imam Khomeini International Airport that handles international flights serve the city. It is also the hub of country rail network. The central train station in the city that provide round the clock service helps the people to travel from one city to another. Tehran is in a move to construct a Monorail system that can help to avoid the traffic congestion in the city.

Hotels: The tourists, on their visit to Tehran opt for the hotels in the city that are known for tasty food and comfy rooms. They serve special dishes to its customers according to their requirement. The friendly attitude of the staff is the most unique feature of these hotels. Taj Mahal AP Hotel, Azadi Grand Hotel, Azadi Grand Hotel, Mashhad Hotel, Homa Hotel Tehran, Tehran Enghelab Hotel, Laleh International Hotel Iran, Esteghlal Grand Hotel and Atlas Hotel are such hotels that welcome the tourists and ensure to make their stay in these hotels worth.

Places of Attraction: The numerous large museums, art centers, palace complexes and cultural centers are the fascination of the tourists who reach the city. Also, the number of mosques, churches and synagogues attract many pilgrims from all parts of the world. Azadi Towers which is the national symbol of Tehran, is the main landmark of the city. The city palaces, which are the showcase of historical artifacts, are Golestan Palace and Takht-e Marmar, Niavaran Palace Complex, Sadabad Palace, Saltanat Abad Palace, Firouzeh Palace, Soleymaniyeh Palace, Baharestan Palace, Morvarid Palace and The new Majlis. Various museums in the city like Sa’d Abad Gallery of Fine Arts, Glassware Museum of Tehran, Iran’s National Rug Gallery, Reza Abbasi Museum and Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, preserve the leftovers of the ancient rulers. Forts Arzhang, fort in Taleqan, Iraj Fort in Varamin, Gol e Khandan Fort in Rudehen, Rashkan Fort in Ray, Tabbarok Fort and many others tell the story of the old Tehran.