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IRANSAGA

Iran (Persia)
"The Country and History"


This Section of Iransaga includes informative and interesting facts and photographs
relating to Iran; the country, it's history and people.

(Please click on the "titles" to enter each section.)

IRAN'S HISTORY

PERSIA OR IRAN, THE HISTORY

A brief history, pre-twentieth century:
( In Eleven Chapters )

"... For more than three thousand years Persia was a melting pot of civilizations and demographic movements between Asia and Europe. Under Cyrus the Great, it became the centre of the world's first empire. Successive invasions by the Greeks, Arabs, Mongols and Turks developed the nation's culture through rich and diverse philosophical, artistic, scientific and religious influences ..."

A CHRONOLOGY OF PERSIAN HISTORY

This chronology catalogues and compares Iran's colourful history with that of
the rest of the world from 4000 BC to modern times.

CYRUS THE GREAT,
THE PHENOMENON

An insight into the background, life, and achievements of Cyrus the Great:

"Cyrus is regarded as one of the most outstanding figures in history. His success in creating and maintaining the Achaemenian Empire was the result of an intelligent blending of diplomatic and military skills and his rule was tempered with wisdom and tact ..."

THE FESTIVAL OF YALDA

A brief history, and the traditions of the Festival of Yalda:

"... In Iran, the winter solstice has been celebrated for centuries and it is called Shab-e yalda, which refers to the birthday or rebirth of the sun ..."

THE FESTIVAL OF NOE-ROOZ

A brief history, and the traditions of the Festival of Noe-Rooz (Persian New Year):

"... Noe-Rooz occurs at the exact time of the Vernal (spring) equinox, when the length of night and day are equal. Translated literally, Equinox means "Equal Night" ..."

(This is a revised version of the article on Noe-Rooz)

THE HEROIC AGE OF PERSIA

This section provides a brief insight into the age of legends:

"... Knowledge of the early inhabitants of prehistoric Iran is limited. The earliest written records of the Iranians are the old Persian cuneiform inscriptions of King Darius I in the 6th century BC, but a long history preceded them. This early history is drawn from Persia's legendary past, and reflects the attitudes of society of that time ..."

PERSIAN MYTHS

CREATION OF THE WORLD

"... In ancient Persia, it was believed that the sky was the first part of the world to be created. It was originally described as a round empty shell made of rock crystal, passing beneath as well as above the earth. Water was created next, followed by the earth ..."

THE GODS OF ANCIENT PERSIA

"The religious texts of the Zoroastrians are rich with information on the ancient Persians and their gods. These texts include the Avesta and later sources such as the Bundahishn and Denkard. Within the Avesta, the gods, heroes and fabulous creatures mostly appear in the section known as the Yasht ..."

LEGENDARY CREATURES
( Good & Evil)

"The traditional tales and stories of ancient Persia describe confrontations between good and evil, the victories of the gods, and the exploits of heroes and fabulous supernatural creatures.
The Avesta is one of the primary sources for these stories ..."

IRAN
THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE

IRAN (PERSIA), THE COUNTRY

General facts; the Land and the People:

"Always known as Iran to its people, the country for centuries was referred to as Persia by the Europeans. Both names are widely used today. Its position as a vast natural fortress, with mountain ranges, enabled the Persians to preserve their individuality in spite of the conquests by the Arabs, the Turks, and the Mongols ..."

SOME OF IRAN'S
MAJOR CITIES AND PROVINCES

TEHRAN

The Capital City:

"As well as being the provincial capital, Tehran is also the political, economic and intellectual capital of Iran. The city is situated at the foothills of the Alborz mountain range, and its province extends from the southern slopes of the Alborz into the Dasht-e Kevir desert ..."

ISFAHAN

Historical cities of Iran:

"The vast province of Isfahan, is located almost in the centre of Iran between Tehran and Fars. Although it is mostly arid, there are several high mountains (Mount. Karkas at 3899m) and rivers such as the Zayandeh Rud that dominate its landscape ..."

SHIRAZ

Historical cities of Iran:

"Shiraz has been the centre of Fars Province since the 7th century AD, and it has provided a capital for several Islamic dynasties. Its most important function, has been as a major artistic centre, synonymous with learning, nightingales, poetry, roses and at one time, wine ..."

HAMEDAN

Historical cities of Iran:

"... Hamedan, ancient Ecbatana, is one of the oldest cities in the world, and according to legend (Ferdowsi), Hamedan was founded by the mythical King Jamshid ..."

PERSEPOLIS

Brief History and Pictorial Tour:

"Persepolis was one of the ancient capitals of Persia, established by Darius I in the late 6th century BC. Its ruins lie 56 km (35 miles) northeast of Shiraz, Iran ..."

THE CASPIAN COAST
The Provinces of Gilan and Mazanderan

An overview of this beautiful part of Iran:

"... The Iranian coast of the Caspian stretches for 630 kilometres (391 miles) from Astara in the west, on the border with the Republic of Azerbaijan, to the Bandar-e Torkaman region in the east, near the Republic of Turkmenistan.
Two provinces, Gilan and Mazanderan occupy this coastal belt ..."

MASHHAD
(Khorassan Province)

A historical and holy city:

"... Mashhad is Iran's holiest city, visited each year by over 12 million pilgrims. Mashhad literally means the Place of Martyrdom. The city is very sacred to Shi'ites, as the place where the eighth grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Reza, died in 817 ..."

 

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