Tehran

　　    The capital of Iran, Tehran, is situated in the north-central part of the country, nestled at the southern foothills of the Alborz Mountain Range on the northern edge of the vast Iranian Plateau. The urban area spreads across a plain, while the suburbs are surrounded on the east, west, and north by the Alborz Mountains and arc-shaped hills.

　　    Tehran is a city with a long history. As early as the beginning of the 9th century, it was already a residential settlement and a suburb of Rey, a prominent city of the time, serving as a resting place along the ancient world-famous Silk Road. In the 13th century, due to devastating invasions by foreign powers, Rey was severely damaged, and Tehran rose to prominence. Owing to its location at the intersection of the east-west highway in northern Iran and the road leading south, it quickly developed into a medium-sized city and trade hub.

　　    In 1788, Agha Mohammad Khan, the first ruler of the Qajar Dynasty, established his capital here and named it Tehran. In Persian, “Tehran” means “City of Purity,” and can also be interpreted as “Sacred Place.”

　　    In Persian, “Tehran” also means “plain,” naturally referring to the city’s location on a vast flatland, as well as distinguishing it from the mountainous regions to the northwest. Another interpretation of Tehran is “hot place.” It is said that one of the main reasons successive Iranian emperors hesitated to establish their capital here was the intense summer heat. However, since the Qajar Dynasty made it their capital, Tehran has remained the capital of Iran.

　　    During World War II, the name Tehran gained global fame when the leaders of the Allied powers—苏联 (Soviet Union), the United States, and the United Kingdom—met here in 1943 and issued the famous Tehran Declaration, calling on the world to unite to defeat fascist Germany.

　　    Tehran is situated on a gentle slope, at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,500 meters, covering an area of over 300 square kilometers, with a population of about 9 million. The urban streets of Tehran are wide, shaded by trees, and lined with modern, neat, and innovative buildings, interspersed with historic mosques, churches, and other structures, giving the city an aura that is both ancient and youthful.

　　    One of Tehran’s most striking features is the abundance of blooming flowers all year round, especially roses beloved by Persians, which can be seen everywhere. Whether in front of homes, along roadsides, or in street gardens with fountains, flowers and their fragrance abound. Residents are passionate about planting, cultivating, and enjoying flowers, and many wealthier families create small flower gardens in front of their homes. As a result, Tehran is humorously referred to as the “City of Flowers.”

　　    Tehran is home to numerous historical sites and museums, including the two walls built by the Qajar Dynasty in the 18th century, the magnificent Golestan Palace and Marble Palace. The city also boasts the Archaeological Museum, which houses a rich collection of historical artifacts, the National Jewelry Museum located in the underground vaults of the Central Bank, a museum dedicated to showcasing the world-renowned Persian carpets, and the Freedom Tower built to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian Empire.

　　    These historical landmarks and various museums reflect the splendid and glorious history of Persian culture spanning thousands of years.

　　    The Freedom Tower is majestic and uniquely styled. It is the first landmark that catches your eye when driving from Mehrabad International Airport in the western suburbs into the city. Standing 45 meters tall, with a base measuring 63 meters in length and 42 meters in width, the tower is grayish-white and constructed from reinforced concrete and marble. The Freedom Tower was completed in October 1971, designed by Iranian architect Hossein Amanat.

　　    During the design process, Amanat not only incorporated the strengths of foreign towers but also ensured the full expression of Iran’s national architectural style. The ground floor of the tower houses a museum and a cinema. The cinema can accommodate 500 spectators, with five projectors simultaneously screening films on a large screen. The films primarily depict Iran’s long history, splendid culture, landscapes, and historic sites.

　　    It is a popular spot among tourists, and movie tickets often require queuing to purchase. Climbing the 275 stone steps spiraling up from the base leads to the observation deck at the top. From the observation deck, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Tehran: the resplendent ancient architecture, the imposing high-rises, the wide and straight tree-lined boulevards—from the city’s southern railway station, stretching north through the old and new urban districts, all the way to the summer resorts at the foothills of the Alborz Mountains above 1,600 meters in elevation.

　　     The Freedom Tower lies on the central axis of Tehran’s urban layout. Starting from the tower, four wide and smooth asphalt roads stretch into the distance, like ribbons connecting the city’s streets and forming an integrated whole.