TEHRAN By: Faranak Bozorgmehri

Tehran is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With a population of 8.5 million people and the total area of 18,814 km 2 is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia. In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to mass-migration of people from all around Iran. The native Persian speakers of Iran dominate Tehran Province with a massive majority of 98.5% whilst other ethnic groups comprise 1.5% of the total population. Other ethnic minority are noticeable within the area but no individual ethnic group holds a sizeable population within Tehran. The city is home to many historic mosques, churches, synagogues and Zoroastrian fire temples. Contemporary Tehran is a modern city featuring many structures, of which the Azadi (Freedom) Tower and the Milad Tower have come to be symbols of Tehran itself.

Azadi Tower

The province of Tehran has over 12 million inhabitants and is Iran's most densely-populated region. The highest point of the province is Mount Damavand, which also is the highest mountain in Iran, at an elevation of 5678 m above sea level; the lowest point of the province is the plains of Varamin, 790m above sea level. The province contains more than 330 square kilometers of forests, and over 12,800 square kilometers of pasture.

Mount Damavand

The climate of Tehran province in the southern areas is warm and dry, but in the mountain vicinity is cold and semi-humid, and in the higher regions is cold with long winters. The hottest months of the year are from mid-July to mid-September when temperatures range from 28°-30°C and the coldest months experience 1°C around December–January, but at certain times in winter it can reach -15°C. Tehran city has moderate winters and hot summers. Average annual rainfall is approximately 200 mm, the maximum being during the winter season. On the whole the province has a semi arid, steppe climate in the south and an alpine climate in the north.

Tehran is a relatively old city. As such, it has an architectural tradition unique to itself. In recent decades numerous mid-raised buildings were built which altogether created the modern face of the city. However there are some specific districts which has mostly remained old styled. Despite the occurrence of earthquakes during the Qajar period and before, some buildings still remain from Tehran's era of antiquity. However, most of Tehran's architecture has been obliterated by the wave of hasty modernization that swept through the capital over the last 40 to 50 years. From the 8 city gates of old Tehran, none remain today. Many of the urban designs of modern Tehran are attributed to Victor Gruen in the 1960s. Gruen devised a master plan for many of northern Tehran's neighborhoods between the years Pahlavi architecture tried incorporating themes from European Modern architecture. The Sa’d-abad Palace or the main Palace of Niavaran are examples of this style of design.

Vali-e-asr Street is a tree-lined street in Tehran, Iran, dividing the metropolis into western and eastern parts. It is considered one of Tehran's main thoroughfares and commercial centers. It is also the longest street in the Middle East. The street was built by Reza Shah Pahlavi's order and called the Pahlavi Street. Vali-e-asr is 19.3 kilometers long which connects the north of the city to the south.

Length of Vali-e-asr Street in Tehran

In my opinion these are the specific things of Tehran: Mount Damavand Vali-e-asr street Old - Modern Style Vastness Large Population