Known as Persia until , Iran became an Islamic republic in after the ruling shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces subsequently crushed westernizing liberal elements. During , Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq over disputed territory. Key current issues affecting the country include the pace of accepting outside modernizing influences and reconciliation between clerical control of the regime and popular government participation and widespread demands for reform.
Unemployment amongst the young is also an issue, due to Iran having the largest percentage of young people in the world. Rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts. The highest point is Mount Damavand 5, meters. A valid passport and visa are required for travel through Iran. In the year the rules for obtaining tourist visa changed and it has become much easier for many nationals to get in to Iran by obtaining tourist visa at the airport.
At the Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad airports in Tehran, and also the airports at Mashad, Shiraz, Tabriz and Esfahan, issues tourist visas for one weeks stay in Iran for holders of ordinary passports from the states below:. It is possible to get a extension of the one week visa which are issued by Aliens Affairs Bureau law enforcement forces. Although it has become remarkably easier to get a tourist visa in recent years, whether the process takes one Day or one month depends largely on your nationality and the staff of the embassy you are applying to.
Your best bet is to apply to the Iranian embassy in your own country at least three months before your departure, but it is possible in other countries. Women need to make sure they are veiled in their submitted passport-sized photos.
Nationals of Israel are currently barred from entering Iran for any reason. Transit visas are usually easier to get than tourist visas usually for one or two weeks and very useful for people traveling between Europe and South Asia. Chances are your bags won't be searched for salacious material , but if found, it will be confiscated and will complicate your arrival. Don't try to bring in any magazines including fashion magazines or books that might offend strict Islamic sensibilities or criticize the government.
