Iran Capitals

Tehran was first chosen as the capital city of Iran (then Persia) in 1796 by Agha Mohammad Khan from the Qajar Dynasty. The name Tehran is of uncertain origins, but the settlement and city-like characteristics of the area are known to trace back as far as 7,000 years. Tehran is located in the northern part of the country near Sorkheh Hesar National Park. The city is serviced by two airports as well as an extensive network of highways which allow easy access to the city from surrounding areas.

Approximately 8.8 million people live in the city of Tehran and 15 million in the larger metropolitan area. The city is the most populous city in Iran and Western Asia as well as having the second-largest metro area in the Middle East region. The minority population of Tehran includes Azerbaijanis, Armenians, Lurs, and Kurds, who all speak Persian as a second language. The majority of the people in Tehran speak Persian, and 99 percent of people who live in the city will understand the language.

Tourism makes up a significant portion of the city economy, and Tehran is one of the most underrated tourist destinations in the world. Milad Tower and Tabiat Bridge are two modern architectural achievements that are worth seeing. Some of the most well-known buildings in Iran are the Golestan Palace, Niavaran Complex and the Sa'dabad Complex which is the official residence of the President. There are also many museums to visit in the city such as the National Museum of Iran, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Carpet Museum of Iran.

The climate of Tehran is classed as a cold, semi-arid climate with some features that resemble a Mediterranean environment. The average high temperature in summer months is between 32-37 degrees Celsius (90-99 degrees Fahrenheit) and the average low during winter is usually between -1.5 to 1 degrees Celsius (29-33 degrees Fahrenheit). The record high in Tehran is 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit), and the record low is −20 degrees Celsius (−4 degrees Fahrenheit). The climate is relatively mild during the spring and autumn months which is the recommended time to visit this country.