May 11, 2018 Comments Off on Tehran knows of beauty, pollution, the most important publishing event in Asia & one of the world’s largest football stadiums Views: 1277 Urban Trekker

All eyes on Tehran now as the U.S. shockingly withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal.

A cradle country of some of the first civilizations, the fourth country in the world when it comes to oil reserves and where back in 2012 the police chief announced Google was a tool for spying (therefore that the Iranian government wants to establish a national, state-controlled internet). A country, where couples that wish to get married are asked to take an hour-long lesson on contraception, and a region in the world which has given the English word for “paradise” (coming from the Persian word denoting “enclosed garden”).

Indeed, Iran and Tehran are realms of great contrasts, and there is much more to learn above that the Iranian government might act clandestine or that the country is allegedly developing secret nuclear weaponry. Therefore, here are some interesting facts and figures about Tehran that rarely get a mention.

Tehran has been a famous village in the 9th century; the name means “warm slope” but who gave the name is uncertain. Today, this city is the home of about 12 million peoples. Tehran has been the capital of Iran for nearly 220 years, but since the capital of Iran has been moved so many times, it is de facto their 32nd national capital, according to 10 Facts About.

This city annually hosts the most significant publishing event on the entire Asian plateau, that is the Tehran International Book Fair. No surprises there as writing and printing goes a long way back down the timeline of the country’s history. Advanced science and technology have been one of the strengths of the region if historically speaking.

Rising against the Alborz Mountains, the Milad Tower in Tehran, built in 2007 is currently the sixth tallest tower in the world and the 24th tallest freestanding structure, too. It is used for multiple purposes, and its head consists of a large pod that has 12 floors, the roof of which is at 315 meters. The tallest building in Iran is also in Tehran, that is the Tehran International Tower, raising 54 stories and looking a westerner rather.

The ‘Jumu’ah’ that is the Muslim Friday prayer is normally hosted by the University of Tehran, and at this time almost all activities downtown are at a halt. The city also accommodates the largest military academy in the country and even one of the largest football stadiums in the world, the Azadi Sports Complex. It has a capacity to host 100,000 spectators, however, when for instance Iran played a match against Australia for the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier, there was an audience of 128,000 attending.

Tehran, a city of contrasts, is also one of the best cities in the Middle East to enjoy fresh and cool street art and graffiti. Some of the pieces are doing well with sending political messages (See more at Huffington Post). Whether there is one big problem that looms above its urbanscapes, especially in winter, note that is pollution.

There is much more to share about beautiful Tehran and its culture. Should you have travelled there, feel free to share some memories

Tags: Iran, Tehran