Talesh Gilan Iran
Tabriz is the fourth largest city and one of the historical capitals of Iran and the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. The estimated population of the city is around 3,000,000; the fifth most populous city in Iran.
With a rich history, Tabriz contains many historical monuments, but repeated devastating earthquakes and several invasions during frequent wars have substantially damaged many of them. Many monuments in the city date back to the Ilkhanid, Safavid, and Qajar periods,among them is the large Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex which is inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2010. The oldest signs of the civilization in the city is an excavation site and museum in the city center with a history that dates back 2500 years.
Source: Wikipedia | Tabriz
Nakhcheer or Chal-Nakhjir is a cave situated in Markazi Province of Iran. It is a limestone cave approximately 70 million years old. It was discovered in 1989 and registered as a national monument in 2001. Its interior is made of crystals, dolomite sediments, stalactites and stalagmites.
More fascinating pictures: Payvand News of Iran | Photos: Nakhcheer cave
Masuleh – Village in northern Iran.
Masuleh’s architecture is unique. The buildings have been built into the mountain and are interconnected. Courtyards and roofs both serve as pedestrian areas similar to streets. Masuleh does not allow any motor vehicles to enter, due to its unique layout. It is the only city in Iran with such a prohibition.
Read the blog and enjoy Silvia’s descriptions and pictures. Here are the links to the posts on Iran:
http://www.heartmybackpack.com/blog/backpacking-solo-through-iran/
http://www.heartmybackpack.com/blog/kafka-cigarettes-tehran/
http://www.heartmybackpack.com/blog/isfahan-iran/
If you are lazy just read some quotes here and go to the links to enjoy the pictures:
“I mean, Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations, hosts thirteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and boasts beautiful landscapes stretching from dense rain forests to snowcapped mountains to desert basins. Plus, so many travelers whom I met in Central Asia absolutely raved about Iran. The hospitable people, delicious food and historic sites – how could I not add Iran to my travel itinerary?”
“My first Couchsurfing hosts in Tehran, a young Ph.D. student and her roommate, said they were so excited to be hosting an American girl, and that they hope more tourists will start to come to Iran. They were incredibly warm and welcoming hosts, cooking delicious Persian food and asking me countless questions about Norway and the U.S. and foreigners’ impressions of Iran.”
“The thing is, I haven’t felt alone once since I landed in Iran. The receptionist at my first hotel took me in as her daughter, accompanying me to breakfast and lunch and suggesting sites for me to visit, my Couchsurfing hosts were like cool older sisters, chatting with me about religion and politics as well as the plot twists of Lost and J-Lo’s divorce (I’m so out of touch), and Rana truly has adopted me as her sister, with an invitation to lunch turning into a trip to visit Esfahan and then several days with her family in Tehran.”
“So far my experience in Iran has only been one of warmth and hospitality, and really, really amazing food! Though, in a few hours Rana and I are heading to Marivan, a small Kurdish city on the border to Iraq. So you know, maybe I’ll have some more eventful things to share from there! (Kidding, family, Kurdistan is of course totally safe.)”
“My stay in Tehran was far too short and left much of the city unexplored, but I did leave with an overwhelming crush on a city so full of life and passion. Shopkeepers greeted me with warmth (if also a degree of surprise), and the discussions I had with people there were always filled with genuine interest and reflection. ”
“While now a bustling modern city, Isfahan was once one of the largest cities in the world as it sat on a major intersection of the main north-south and east-west routes crossing Iran. We seemed to stumble on reminders of Isfahan’s past glory around every corner, from impressive squares and tree-lined boulevards to covered bridges, palaces and mosques.”
“Moreover, while Isfahan might be dominated by Islamic architecture, the city is also home to important Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrian sites. Rana and I visited the Church of Saint Joseph of Arimathea, built by an Armenian community that settled in Isfahan in the early 1600s.”
Ok if you read so far, just make sure to visit the links above
Sardasht in Iran’s Province Kurdistan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yazd
“Yazd (
pronunciation (help·info) [jæzd]; Persian: یزد)[1] is the capital of Yazd Province, Iran, and a centre of Zoroastrian culture. The city is located 270 km (170 mi) southeast of Isfahan.”
…
“The city has a history of over 3,000 years, dating back to the time of the Median empire, when it was known as Ysatis (or Issatis)”
In the recent years, during winter about 5000 swans migrate from Siberia to the wetlands of the Caspian town of Sorkhroud in northern Iran. The swans return back to Siberia after the the cold season ends. The swans bring life and beauty to the wetlands and attract many visitors. Environmental activists are also busy trying to educate the public to be a good host to their guests!
More beautiful pictures at: Payvand News
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karun-3_Dam
“The purpose of the dam is for power generation and flood control. The Karun III power generators are connected to the national power network as the peak power generation. With this power plant being operated, with the capacity of 2,280 MW,[4] and an average annual electric power generation of 4,137 GWh, a major portion of the electric power shortage in the country will be met.”
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/e4f47a04-6972-11e3-89ce-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2plOF8yt7
“Thirty-five years after it dropped off the tourist map, Iran may be set to return to the top of “must-visit” lists for 2014. Its attractions have never been in doubt – from ski resorts to beaches, stunning Islamic architecture, ancient archaeological sites and superb food…”one of the things our clients tell us they enjoy most is the friendliness and welcome provided by the locals.””
Amir Kabir dam, also known as Karaj dam, is a dam in Iran, located 63 kilometres (39 mi) northwest of Tehran and 23 kilometres (14 mi) north of Karaj. Amir kabir Dam was constructed on the Karaj River, and was the first multi-purpose dam in Iran.
Ref: Wikipedia
“Caspian Sea, the largest landlocked lake in the world, is located in northern Iran. The Iranian Caspian coast including the three littoral provinces of Gilan, Golestan and Mazandaran, with its thick forests and large-scale rice paddies presents a striking contrast to the dry inner plateau of Iran.
A four-hour drive from Tehran, the Caspian is Iran’s Riviera, with a narrow plain of paddyfields and orchards separating the sea from forested mountains where bears and leopards roam around ruined Mongol castles.”
Also: Wikipedia | Caspian Sea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alborz
“Alborz ( listen (help·info) Persian: البرز), also written as Alburz, Elburz or Elborz, is a mountain range in northern Iran stretching from the borders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in the northwest to the southern end of the Caspian Sea, and ending in the east at the borders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.[1] The highest mountain in West Asia, Mount Damavand, Amol, Mazandaran is located in the range.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elburz_Range_forest_steppe
“Elevations typically range from 2,000 to 4,000 metres (6,600 to 13,000 ft), and the highest point in the Middle East, 5,610 metres (18,410 ft) high Mount Damavand, is found here. Mount Damavand is also the tallest volcano in Asia and below its summit crater are found fumaroles and hot springs as well as glaciers.”
Mehr News Agency published beautiful photos of a snowmen festival in Tabriz, North-western Iran. Click here to see the pictures: Mehr News Agency
See Also
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Uramunat- Kurdistan- North western Iran
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armenian-church-Azerbaijan- North western Iran
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The other Iran 