Asia · Southern Asia

Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Capital: Tehran
Population: 83,992,953
Region: Asia
Languages: Persian (Farsi)

Fun fact

Iran is home to the world's oldest continuous major civilization, with historical settlements dating back to 7000 BCE. The country boasts a remarkable engineering legacy, including 'qanats' which are ancient underground water canals that still provide irrigation in arid regions today. It is also the exclusive producer of the world's most expensive spice, high-quality saffron, often referred to as 'red gold.' Persian cats, one of the world's oldest and most recognizable breeds, originated in the high plateaus of this region.

Currency

The official currency is the Iranian Rial (IRR), though locals almost exclusively use the super-unit 'Toman' for daily transactions to simplify large numbers. Historically, the Rial was first introduced in 1798 and was later pegged to the British Pound for several decades. Despite its official status, one Toman is equivalent to ten Rials, a distinction that often confuses foreign visitors.

Flag symbolism

The flag features three equal horizontal bands of green, white, and red, representing Islam, peace, and courage respectively. Along the edges of the green and red bands, the phrase 'Allahu Akbar' is stylized in Kufic script, appearing 22 times to commemorate the date of the 1979 revolution. In the center of the white band sits a red emblem composed of four curves and a sword. This central design is a stylized representation of the word 'Allah' and is shaped like a tulip to honor those who have died for the country.

Emblem history

The current national emblem was adopted in 1980 following the Iranian Revolution, replacing the ancient Lion and Sun motif. It consists of four crescents and a central sword, which together form a shape resembling a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom in Persian culture. The five primary components of the design represent the five pillars of Islam, emphasizing the state's religious foundation. This geometric composition is also designed to read as the 'La ilaha illa Allah' creed, asserting there is no god but God.