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Globalization Visions
by Tehran
Business Owners
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Tehran,
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Tehran
in Few
lines.
Tehran
Bozorg (Greater Tehran), the capital of the Islamic Republic of
Iran and center of Tehran
Province as well. Tehran is one of the largest metropolitans
of the world, and it is the country's largest economic center and
the base for its large and small modern technological and
industrial establishments. Located on the slopes of the mountains
and at the foot of the magnificent Mount Damavand, it has been the
country's capital city for over 200 years now. Nearly 14 Million
people live in Tehran in contrast to two hundred thousand in 1920.
The first mention of Tehran in an old geographical text is made in
the 10th century Massalek-al Mamalek (The Ways of States) by
Estakhri. It was just a village before the Safavid
era.
By the Mongols' invasion and the consequent severe devastation the
city of Rey received, most of the Rey's people took refuge to this
village.
This was a starting point for growth of Tehran, and gradually this
village that was famous for its fine fruits and beautiful gardens,
underwent new developments. Shah Tahmasb, one of the Safavid
kings, chose Tehran as administrative center for the Safavid
dinastry, which resulted in constructing many big governmental
buildings, castles and gates.
At the time of the Zand dynasty, it was a small town that was
significant from a military point of view. The first of the Qajar
kings, Agha Mohammed Khan, named Tehran as the country's capital
in 1778. Nevertheless, the capital's development started at the
time of another Qajar monarch, Fath-Ali Shah. The citadel, which
Agha Mohammed Khan had built, was developed to include the new
royal buildings.
At the same time, the city's population was redoubled. With the
increasing importance of the city, soon gates, squares and mosques
were built and it was at the time of Nassereddin Shah that the
city's master plan was prepared and modern streets were formed.
Later, large central squares like Toopkhaneh (now Imam Khomeini)
square and several military buildings were constructed. With the
decline of the Qajar dynasty, Tehran soon took the shape of a
modern city. The construction of large government buildings, new
streets, recreation centers, urban service establishments, and
academic and scientific centers were started, while most of the
old gates and buildings were destroyed and the city's old
architectural fabric replaced by a modern one.
With
an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level, Tehran is a city of
all four seasons with hot summers, freezing winters, and brief
springs and autumns. The highest recorded summer temperature in
Tehran has been 42 degrees centigrade while the lowest has been
registered at 8 degrees below zero.
Tehran is pleasant, it derives its originality from its dry
climate, always cool in the evening, the nearness of the
mountains, its numerous parks and gardens where flowers blossom
throughout the year, the alleys of trees in the avenues or even
smaller streets, the water which runs down from the upper city
along deep and wide gutters which look like small rivers during
spring.
Dams of Karaj, Latian and Lar supply Tehran's drinking water and
parts of the country's electrical power. These dam-lakes and
river-sides provide also valuable tourism sites for visiting and
enjoying walking and viewing beautiful natural sites as well as
practicing various kinds of sports, including water sports. There
are dozen of small coffee-houses with zinc roofs nestle among the
bushes. Mountain streams run among the tables. But everyone does
not sit around a table; many of the customers prefer the
ancient-style comfort of low divans covered with old carpets.
Delicious "kababs" are consumed, and hot teas are served
from "Samawar".
The Alborz
range on the north of Tehran, which host the highest peak in the
country during winter provides a very suitable climate for ski
lovers. In winter, the mountain hotels and ski-clubs at Shemshak,
Shahrestanak and Dizine are full several days a week. Some expert
skiers consider the snow quality in northern Tehran to be one of
the best in the world.
The highest peak in the country, Mount Damavand (5,678 m), which
is an extinct volcano covered in snow for most of the year with
its visibility from Tehran has an attractive appeal for
adventurers and climbers.
The Golestan (Rose Garden) Palace is one of most visited places in
Tehran, which was the Qajars' royal residence. Its garden is an
oasis of coolness and silence in the heart of the city. The main
building, architecturally unpretentious, houses a museum with
objects from the Qajar period in the overloaded and pompous style
of last century. In the Golestan garden, a one-story pavilion to
the right and slightly behind the entrance, shelters one of the
best organized museums in Tehran. It contains about thirty
showcases presenting everything, which makes up the basic
originality of Iranian life in the various provinces of the
country.
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