INFO & TOURIST ATTRACTIONS BOOKLET FOR RIWE

Transcription

1 INFO & TOURIST ATTRACTIONS BOOKLET FOR RIWE 1

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4 About IRAN Iran, also known as Persia, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a sovereign state in Western Asia. With about 80 million inhabitants, Iran is the world's 18th-mostpopulous country. Iran is bounded on the n by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and the Caspian Sea, on the e by Afghanistan and Pakistan, on the s by the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, on the w by Iraq, and on the nw by Turkey. Iran's capital city, Tehran, is located in the northwestern part of the country. Climate About IRAN Iran has a continental type of climate, with cold winters and hot summers prevalent across the plateau. The annual rainfall does not exceed 30 cm (12 in), with the deserts and the Persian Gulf littoral receiving less than 13 cm (5 in). Snow falls heavily on the mountain peaks and is the principal source of water for irrigation in spring and early summer. The Caspian littoral is warm and humid throughout the year, and the annual rainfall is about cm (40 60 in). Clear days are the rule, for the skies are cloudless more than half the days of each year. More info. 1

5 The seasons change abruptly. By the Persian New Year (the first day of spring), orchards are in bloom and wild flowers abound. In January, the Tehran temperature ranges from an average low of -3 c (27 f), to an average high of 7 c (45 f); and in July, from an average minimum of 22 c (72 f) to an average maximum of 37 c (99 f). Language About IRAN The majority of the population speak Persian (Farsi), which is also the official language of the country. Azeri Turkish, which is by far the most spoken language in the country after Persian, is spoken in various regions of Iran, especially in the region of Azerbaijan. Percentages given by the CIA's World Factbook include 53% Persian, 16% Azerbaijani Turkish, 10% Kurdish, 7% Mazenderani and Gilaki, 7% Lurish, 2% Turkmen, 2% Balochi, 2% Arabic, and 2% the remainder Armenian, Georgian, Neo- Aramaic, and Circassian. Religions About IRAN Twelver Shia Islam is the official state religion, to which about 90% to 95% of the population adhere. About 4% to 8% of the population are Sunni Muslims, mainly Kurds and Baloches. The remaining 2% are non-muslim religious minorities, including Christians, Jews, Bahais, Mandeans, Yezidis, Yarsanis, and Zoroastrians. Around 250,000 to 370,000 Christians reside in Iran, and Christianity is the country's largest recognized minority religion. 2

6 Persian Alphabets About IRAN However the Persian language is different, the hand writing is somehow similar to Arabic with some exception. You might struggle a little bit at the beginning with pronunciation of the written Persian, which are unusual in other languages except Arabic, but if you show will to learn a little bit of Persian, any local will be eager to help you. When it comes to English, usually younger people speak and understand English. Persian Numbers About IRAN 3

7 In Iran, especially in the big cities, you can buy everything you need for personal care. However, if you are used to some specific brands, you may want to bring these products with you. Please make sure you bring a supply of any special prescription medicines that you may be taking. Many are available in Iran but all are not. Please note that shorts are not acceptable for men and Islamic Hijab is necessary for women at public. Time Zone & Calendar About IRAN GMT/UTC +3:30 hours. We switch to Summer time every 21st of March by adding 1h and to Winter time every 22nd of September by subtracting 1h. We use Iranian Calendar, one of the longest chronological records in human history, which is a solar calendar. You can find a list of week days and months names on the last page. Please notice that in Iran we have Friday as the only weekend day and a six-day working week. What to Pack About IRAN 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the round two-pin type. If you have 110 volts appliance to use on your trip, like shaving machine, hair drier, etc. it is recommended to take a 110-to-220 plug with you while traveling. Of course, you can find it in Iran too, but it can be a waste of time in some situations. 4

8 Prohibited Items About IRAN On the basis of rules and regulations of Iran, entrance of some goods and or its export is totally prohibited. some of those goods are as follows: Alcoholic drinks Gambling tools Weapons, ammunition and explosive goods Narcotic drugs Aerial photo cameras More info. Transmitter receiver apparatus Money & Currency About IRAN The official currency is the Iranian rial (IRR). Although the toman is no longer an official unit of Iranian currency, Iranians commonly express amounts of money and prices of goods in "tomans". For this purpose, one "toman" equals 10 rials. Despite this usage, amounts of money and prices of goods are virtually always written in rials. For example, the sign next to a loaf of bread in a store would state the price in rials, e.g., "100,000 Rials," even though the clerk, if asked, would say that the bread costs "10,000 tomans". You might come across coins of 2000 or 5000 rials and banknotes of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000, and rials. you can exchange foreign currencies into Iranian rials at any exchange office ( Persian word is: Sarrafee) in the city. Please note that your foreign credit cards are not accepted in Iran and you can only pay by cash or using your local credit card. 5

9 About Tehran Tehran is the capital of Iran. With the population of around 9 million in the city and 16 million in the wider metropolitan area, Tehran is the largest city of Iran and the 3rd largest in the Middle East. Tehran was first chosen as the capital of Iran by Agha Mohammad Khan of the Qajar dynasty in The capital has been moved several times throughout the history, and Tehran is the 32nd national capital of Iran. There are a number of historical palaces in Tehran which are among the most visited tourist attractions of the city. Golestan Palace, Sa'dabad Palace and Niavaran Palace are some examples of them. Moreover, Tehran museums are counted as one of the main tourist destinations each year. These museums, such as Carpet Museum of Iran, Glassware and Ceramic Museum of Iran and National Jewelry Museum, are the attractive manifestations of Iranian culture and art. 6

10 Public Transport About Tehran Tehran city public transportation is provided through a network of buses, B.R.T. (Bus Rapid Transit), and metros. When you come to Iran, during the first few days IAESTE will provide you with public transport card that you will be able to use in any kind of public transportation. You might be asked by public transport officers to show your card. For some lines you need to pay by your card at the first station, in the others you will pay in the bus. Public transport in Tehran is always crowded in rush hour. Frequency of them depends on time of the day and line. Waiting time ranges from 3 to 10 minutes. The metro entrance is indicated with this sign Tehran Railway (Metro) Map 7

11 Arrival to Tehran There are more than 40 airlines which have direct flights to Iran. Regardless of which one you will choose, you will land at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran (IKA) which is located south of Tehran. From IKA It will take approximately 40 minutes to Tehran. If you need to take a taxi, please follow this instruction: 1. Change at least 30$ at the exchange office at the airport. 2. There are several Taxi reception counter in the main hall of the airport, catch a taxi from one of them. You should check the total amount at the reception before catching a taxi. Then you will ask to pay a little to the reception which is included in the total fare. The remaining will be paid directly to the driver after you arrived to your destination. 8

12 Safeness & Emergencies Street crime in Tehran is very rare but there are a few areas of the city which are less safe than others. Overall, Tehran is a very safe city, but just like elsewhere, you should always keep an eye on your money, mobile phone and other valuable personal items and keep those in secure places. Even though it is not common, pickpockets are known to steal in public transport and other crowded places, so advice is to never wear your backpack or purse on your back and make sure that you have your wallet in one of your front pockets. There are no particular health risks on which one should pay attention, though it is always recommended that you should take care of yourself and not put yourself in situations that could have detrimental effects on your health. Tap water is perfectly safe for consumption in Iran. Emergency Numbers Safeness & Emergencies International code number for Iran is +98 and Tehran area code is 021. typical landline phone number looks like this: XXXX XXXX or mobile phone number +98 9XX XXX XXXX. Here is a list of important numbers: Police: 110 Information Center: 118 Emergency: 115 Fire brigade: 125 Whole Tehran is covered with mobile network of various mobile operators. Credit for pre-paid carts can be bought at any newspaper stand in the city. 9

13 Recommended Destinations Isfahan (Ali Qapu, Imam Mosque, Sheik -Saltaneh, Mostofi s Tomb, Ovan Lake, Lotfollah Mosque, Si o Se Pol Bridge, Kha- Cantor Church) jou Bridge, Naghshe Jahan Square, Monar Kashan ( Baghe Fin Garden, Tabatabei Jonban, Vank Church, ) House, Boroujerdi House, Sultan Amir Shiraz (Persepolis, Hafezieh, Sadi s Tomb, Bathhouse) Eram Garden, Nasirol Molk Mosque, Vakil Gilan (Masouleh Village, Rudkhan Castle, Mosque, ) Anzali Lagoon, Visadar Waterfall) Tabriz (Kabod Mosque, Gajar Museum, Yazd (Old Town, Towers of Silence, Jame Kandovan, Eynali Mounts) Mosque, Amir Chakhmagh, Yazd Fortress, Qazvin (Bist Sotun, Caravanserai of Sa'd al Safari) 10

14 Iranians The people of Iran are warm, friendly, hospitable and very formal. When interacting with people in Iran it is a good idea to have some understanding of gestures, expressions and socially acceptable behavior. Here are some tips on social etiquette in Iran. The Golden Rule of socially acceptable behavior in Iran is to support your words with appropriate gestures and behavior. For instance it is a good practice to offer a portion of what one is about to eat to anyone nearby, even if they show no interest. Persians are very hospitable people and accord love, respect and warmth to every guest visiting their household. You may be overwhelmed with the warmth, affection and the amount of food and drink that you will be showered with when invited to a Persian home. The honor and respect extended to a guest is reflected in seating arrangements and service of food and drink. An important guest is always seated at the head of a room or a table and is the first to be served with food and drink. Social etiquette deems refusal of these honors, and pressing them on to another person. If you visit a Persian home or interact with someone and like any of their possessions be very careful about praising any possession. Should you praise it; the owner will most likely offer it to you as a present almost at once. Physical contact in greeting people is commonly observed and Iranians can be quite physically intimate with same-sex friends, even in public. Do not be alarmed as such contact does not have any erotic undertone. A hug and three kisses are a standard greeting for family members and even the slightest physical contact with non-family members of the opposite sex, unless they are very young children, is forbidden. 11

15 Common and useful Persian words Salaam Hello Sobh Bekheyr /Asr Bekheyr /Shab Bekheyr Good morning / Good evening / Good night Khoubi? How are you? Khoubam I m fine. Bebakhshid Excuse me! Sefid/Siah/Qermez/Aabi/Sabz White/Black/Red/Blue/Green Bozorg/Motevaset/Kouchak Large/Medium/Small Khiabaan/Kouche/Meydaan Street/Alley/Square Sobhane/Naahaar/Shaam Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Chay/Qahve/Aab Tea/Coffee/Water Esme shomaa chie? What is your name? Esme man ast My name is Mamnoun/ Tashakor Thank you! Fe lan/mibinamet See you! Qeymat/Poul/Keraa ye Price/Money/Fare Bale/Na Yes/No Sarraafi Exchange office 12

16 IRANIAN DRINKS Dough Sharbat SWEETS Gaz Sohaan Fooman Cookie Ghotaab TRADITIONAL FOOD Dizi Persian Kabaab Khoresht_e_Fesenjoun Ghormeh sabzi 13

17 Iranian handicrafts TEHRAN Moaragh Miniature art Iranian handicrafts ISFAHAN Carpet Vitreous enameling Calico art Engraving Iranian handicrafts SHIRAZ Khatam Glass art Termeh Tile 14

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