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Arab Culture & Civilization
Explore this exemplary library of articles and resources on Arab societies and culture. This site was originally created by the National Institute for Technology in Liberal Education (NITLE).
Overview: Capital: Tehran Largest City: Tehran Nationality: Iranian(s) Population: 66.4 million Ethnicities: Persian, Azeri, Gilaki, Mazandarani, Kurd, Turkmen, Arab, Lur, Balochi Life Expectancy: 70 years (men), 73 years (women) Major Languages: Persian, Turkish, Kurd Major Religions: Islam Currency: Iranian Rial Main Agriculture Products: Wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, sugar cane, fruits, nuts, cotton, dairy products, wool, caviar Main Industries: Petroleum, petrochemicals, fertilizers, lye, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing, smelting, armaments Main Natural Resources: Petroleum, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur Area - Comparative: Slightly smaller than Alaska
Iran is dominated by rugged mountains, high basins and desert, offering a unique and diverse geography ranging from snowy mountainous regions to hot and dry plains to subtropical lowlands. It borders seven countries and two large coastlines. In the west, it shares its longest border with Iraq and smaller ones with Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. To Iran’s north is the Caspian Sea and to its south are the Arab-Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman, which leads out to the Arabian Sea and the larger Indian Ocean. In the East, Iran borders Pakistan, Afghanistan and the former Soviet Socialist Republic Turkmenistan.
Iran has several prominent topographical features. It has two high mountain ranges, the Zagros Mountains and the Elburz Mountains. The Zagros Mountains run along most of Iran’s western edge. The Elburz runs east to west, between the Caspian Sea and Iran’s capitol, Tehran, and has Iran’s highest mountain Mount Damavand, at over 18,000 feet. In the center of Iran is a large, high-elevation basin that flows right into the Kavir Desert (Salt Desert). Between the Caspian Sea and the Elburz Mountains is subtropical lowland.
Iran faces several environmental problems. Like many of its neighbors, many parts of Iran suffer from a lack of drinking water, either because of the arid climate or water pollution. Iran is also prone to frequent droughts in some areas and flooding in others as well as dust/sand storms and earthquakes.
Interactive Map of Iran – This interactive map allows the user to select various popular tourist attractions and historical sites around Iran to learn more about them.
It is hard to look past Iran’s involvement in foreign affairs, but there is more to Iran than what most American’s see or read. The territory that Iran occupies has a long and rich history filled with empires, battles, cultural achievements and events that changed the world. They were originally ruled by Medes. Persian king Cyrus the Great conquered the territory as he was expanding his empire. Alexander then came to power after the fall of the Persian Empire. The next several decades were a time of many rulers, but it was also the time in which Iran rose to prominence in the scientific and cultural arena. The ancient Silk Road ran through its territories, allowing for such things as Porcelain and silk from China to be brought to Europe, while also allowing for the exchange of knowledge, religion, technology, culture. Iran fell to control of Arab Muslims in 1502 and it has remained under Muslim influence since; however, during World War I, both Russia and England tried to occupy the land due to its strategic location.
The Islamic Republic of Iran was formed in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution, a short conflict in which the Iranian monarchy was overthrown and replaced by a theocracy. The revolution was led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a popular Shia cleric (Ulema), who then became its first leader, or Supreme Leader.
Iran has regular elections, but they are closely ruled over by the top clergy. Moderates have often won powerful positions, which shows that Iranians do want a choice in their political affairs and that the government is not wholly conservative or radical.
As an Islamic republic, Islam is infused into much of society. Its legal system is based off of the Sharia or Islamic law. People often believe that the Iranian President is the leading figure in power; however, the most powerful person in Iran is the Supreme Leader who is also the leading religious leader. He has the last say in all internal and external matters and appoints many powerful positions, including commanders of the military. The Supreme Leader is selected for a lifetime term by Assembly of Experts, a group of leading Islamic Scholars (mujtahid) who are elected by popular vote. The Iranian President and the single legislative body, the Consultative Assembly, are also elected by popular vote.
Political parties are a relatively new phenomenon in Iran, and traditionalists still prefer to work through pressure groups. The party system in Iran is unique in that parties often form prior to elections and disband soon thereafter. Iran has two major political ideologies: traditional conservative religious side and reform-minded. Recently, these two sides have increasingly become at odds with one another, leading to the reformers to stage mass protests against the conservatives in power.
Iran’s current president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, draws significant attention and often ire from the rest of the world. In 2002, U.S. President Bush, in his State of the Union Address, labeled Iran as part of the “Axis of Evil,” accusing it of supporting terrorism and seeking weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).
Just like Iran’s geography, its population is equally as diverse. It has nine ethnic groups: Persian, Azeri, Gilaki, Mazandarani, Kurd, Turkmen, Arab, Lur, Balochi. For the most part, however, these groups are not meshed in one big melting pot, but rather occupy their own parts of the country. By far, the Persians are the largest group accounting for over half the entire population. The Azeri make another quarter of the population, while the remaining 17 million people compose the rest of the ethnic groups.
A large majority of Iran’s population (over 45 million) lives in urban areas. It has seven cities with over one-million people. While Iran has a decent health care system that extends into the rural areas, it faces increases in air and water pollution, especially in urban areas. Iran’s growing urbanization will be a challenge for Iran’s future.
The wealth that oil has brought to Iran has enabled a virtually free and modern education system at all levels, from elementary school through university. The only stipulation at the university level, however, requires all students to serve the government for every year spent at the university. Iran’s education system, which was originally revamped in the early 1970s, has raised the literacy rate to where one in six Iranians are illiterate. Iran’s biggest literacy challenge is to get education to be extended further into the many rural areas as well as to ensure that women are guaranteed a basic education.
Religion:
Although Iran has several different ethnicities, the majority of the population, around 90 percent, adheres to Shia Islam, while most of the remainder adheres to Sunni Islam. Of the several sects of Shia Islam, Twelvers are dominant in Iran, as they are in Bahrain, Iraq and Lebanon. Iran has the largest population of Shia Muslims in the world. Check out the TeachMidEast.org glossary to read more about Twelver Shia Islam.
Culture:
Art:
Iranians are famous for more than just Persian rugs; they also have developed beautiful paintings, calligraphy, pottery and metal and stone pieces. Up until the 1950’s art could only be created for an academic purpose. This change happened after the death of the famous painter Kamal-ol-Molk, who symbolized the strict rules of academic paintings. While it is no longer created for purely academic purposes, it is still highly influenced by social and religious conditions. Paintings tend to portray people, rather than just landscapes.
Art Links:
Art and Culture – This is a description of art in Iran, as well as examples of historical pieces.
Images –Pictures of ancient Persian art (Iranian art)
Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art- This site describes the museum, including the daily running of it and different sections of the museum.
Sites:
As with many Middle Eastern countries, Iran has had a rich history, the evidence of which can be seen in the sites of ancient cities and in the artifacts housed in museums. The ruins of Persepolis, which was the center of power and grandeur of the Persian Empire is located in around Iran. Iran has also built modern structures and cultural centers that bridge the traditional and modern cultures. The following is a list of famous sites in Iran.
National Library at Tehran -This is the largest and most popular library. It contains archives of the nation.
National Museum in Tehran - This is the museum’s website and offers background on this attraction and its artifacts.
Golestan Palace The Palace is the home to many Iranian “treasures. It is also the Ethnological Museum
Azadi Tower- This 148 ft tall tower is a symbol of freedom. It was designed by Hossein Amanat and is the center of a cultural center.
Pasargadae – The burial place of Cyrus the Great (founder of the Persian Empire)
Persepolis- This is the ancient city that contained beautiful architecture and monuments, a true testament to the height of civilization. It was burned down by Alexander the Great.
Sites Links:
Golestan Palace – This site shows panoramic views of the Golestan Palace.
Persian Pop music is growing in popularity throughout the Middle East led by pop bands such as the Arian Band. Persian pop, also known as Iranian pop and Farsi pop is the combination of pop music style with lyrics in Persian and Farsi. Iranian officials have deemed this music appropriate to listen to as long as it is decent by religious standards. The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance must issue a permit before an album can be released. They are also responsible for deeming the music “decent”. In 2010, the Arian Band toured the United States, playing Persian pop.
Music Links:
Arian Band Music Videos- This site shows some music videos form the Arian Band. It is all in Arabic, but you still click on any of the links and one of their music videos will come up.
Stand By Me- A popular music video of Bon Jovi, an Iranian singer Andy, and Ritchie Sambora singing Stand By Me.
The Words 'I Love You' – A collaboration between Irish singer Chris De Burgh and the Arian Band
Music for the Persian New Year - The recording of a 2009 performance by Mamak Khadem, a Persian vocalist, and her band in celebration of the Persian New Year
Sports:
Soccer, Wrestling and bodybuilding are all popular sports in Iran, especially among the younger generations. Of the three, soccer is the most popular. The Iranian team has qualified for the World Cup several times and many Iranians play on European and American soccer teams.
