{"id":44848,"date":"2026-07-17T17:25:41","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T13:55:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unesco.ir\/tehran-learning-city\/"},"modified":"2026-09-06T23:16:35","modified_gmt":"2026-09-06T19:46:35","slug":"tehran-learning-city","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/unesco.ir\/en\/tehran-learning-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Tehran Learning City"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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<\/div>
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Tehran<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Tehran<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Tehran<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Tehran<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\n \n \n Geography of Tehran City <\/span>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
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\n\n \n \n History <\/span>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
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\n\n \n \n Cuisine and Souvenirs <\/span>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
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\n\n \n \n Tourist Attractions <\/span>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Tehran, the fifteenth most populous city in the world, covers an area of 730 square kilometers<\/strong> and, together with its surrounding areas, has a population of more than 14 million<\/strong>. In terms of area, it is considered the twenty-eighth largest city in the world, with a population density ranging from approximately 10,700 to more than 11,000 inhabitants per square kilometer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Tehran is divided into 22 municipal districts and 112 neighborhood<\/strong>\u00a0(including Ray and Tajrish), and its iconic landmarks are the Azadi Tower<\/strong> and Milad Tower<\/strong>. The city is considered one of the world\u2019s most expensive cities, although it does not rank favorably in terms of quality-of-life standards.<\/p>\n

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The city was selected as the capital during the reign of Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar<\/strong>. Tehran extends across the area between the mountains and the desert, on the southern slopes of the Alborz Mountains, at an elevation of approximately 1,190 meters above sea level<\/strong>. To the south, it is bordered by the Ray and Bibi Shahrbanu mountains and the plains of Shahriar and Varamin, while to the north it is enclosed by the mountainous terrain.<\/p>\n

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The northern mountains of Tehran, whose highest peak is Mount Tochal<\/strong>, rising to 3,933 meters<\/strong>, overlook the entire city. The second zone comprises the foothills of the Alborz Mountains, extending towards the hills and valleys of Ovin, Darakeh, Niavaran, Hesarak and Soohanak<\/strong>, which have long attracted large numbers of people. The third zone is the plain on which Tehran has developed, with a gentle slope running from north to south.<\/p>\n

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The geographical setting of Tehran, encompassing both mountainous and plain areas, is defined by the Karaj River<\/strong> to the west and the Jajrud River<\/strong> to the east, which converge near the Dasht-e Kavir (Kavir Desert) in south-eastern Tehran. Tehran\u2019s climate is relatively humid and temperate in the mountainous northern areas and becomes warmer and drier towards the south.<\/p>\n

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The absolute maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in Tehran are 41\u00b0C and \u22126\u00b0C<\/strong>, respectively, while the city receives approximately 327 millimetres of annual precipitation<\/strong>. Tehran experiences around 40 days of frost<\/strong> each year. In terms of seismic risk, the city is considered a high-damage area, with an intensity of 8 to 10 on the Mercalli scale<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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One of the major challenges facing Tehran is the provision of drinking water. The city\u2019s water supply is provided by the major Karaj, Jajrud and Lar rivers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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As the largest and most important city in Iran, Tehran has a distinctive political, economic, cultural and geographical position. This has led many people from across the country to come to the city for employment, education, healthcare, administrative affairs, trade and recreation<\/strong>, and to gradually settle there.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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The development and prosperity of Tehran began with the decline of Ray. The Mongol attacks on Ray and the migration of its inhabitants to the surrounding areas laid the foundations for the development and flourishing of areas such as Tehran. A new phase of urban development in Tehran began in 1921 (1300 in the Iranian calendar)<\/strong>, leading to rapid growth and significant transformations. This period can itself be divided into four major phases.<\/p>\n

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Between 1921 and 1941 (1300\u20131320 in the Iranian calendar)<\/strong>, all the city\u2019s moats and gates were removed and replaced by boulevards, streets and new buildings, including the railway station, Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, Officers\u2019 Club, Military Academy, National Police Headquarters and Bank Melli Iran<\/strong>. As a result, the irregular appearance of Tehran gradually changed, acquiring a relatively orderly and geometric character.<\/p>\n

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Approximately 200 years ago<\/strong>, Tehran was first selected as the capital of Iran by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar<\/strong>. Most of Tehran\u2019s historic mansions and buildings that today form part of Iran\u2019s cultural heritage date from this period or from the Safavid era.<\/p>\n

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Tehran has 631 parks<\/strong>, including four forest parks covering an area of 4,000 hectares<\/strong> and 627 other parks covering more than 1,130 hectares<\/strong>. The city\u2019s cultural assets also include nine cultural centres, 43 culture houses, 29 libraries, 22 art galleries and 36 Imamzadeh shrines<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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As the capital of Iran and the main destination for migration from across the country, Tehran is home to an exceptional diversity of Iran\u2019s culinary cultures. In addition to authentic Tehran dishes, a wide variety of traditional foods from different provinces of Iran, as well as international cuisine, is available to residents and tourists. Among Tehran\u2019s well-known dishes are Dampokhtak, Valak Polo, Kaleh-Gonjeshki, various Iranian kebabs, Chelow Khoresh, Dizi (Abgoosht), Ash Reshteh and Tahchin<\/strong>, which are served in many traditional and modern restaurants across the city.<\/p>\n

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Tehran\u2019s souvenirs also reflect the city\u2019s position as the country\u2019s economic, cultural and artistic centre. Iranian handicrafts and traditional arts, including Mina Kari, Khatam Kari, Qalamzani, turquoise inlay, pottery, carpets and kilims, calligraphic works and leather products<\/strong>, are available in the city\u2019s markets and cultural centres. Traditional Iranian confectionery such as Sohan, Gaz and Baklava<\/strong>, together with Noghl, various dried fruits and nuts, and saffron<\/strong>, are also among the items commonly purchased by domestic and international tourists in Tehran.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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With its diverse collection of historic sites, museums, cultural buildings, public spaces and natural attractions, Tehran is one of Iran\u2019s most important urban tourism destinations. The Golestan Palace World Heritage Site, Tehran Grand Bazaar, National Museum of Iran, Sa’dabad Historical and Cultural Complex, Niavaran Historical and Cultural Complex, Azadi Tower, Milad Tower, Tabiat Bridge, Holy Defense Museum Garden, Tehran Book Garden and Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art<\/strong> are among the city\u2019s most important cultural and historical attractions.<\/p>\n

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Tehran\u2019s location on the southern foothills of the Alborz mountain range<\/strong> provides access to a wide range of natural attractions, including Darband, Darakeh, Tochal and Darabad<\/strong>, as well as forest parks and extensive urban green spaces. In addition, the organization of cultural and artistic events, international exhibitions, film and arts festivals, and the activities of numerous educational and research institutions have further consolidated Tehran\u2019s position as one of Iran\u2019s major cultural, scientific and tourism centres.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Actions and Vision of Tehran as a Learning City<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Implementation measures focus on the following areas:<\/strong><\/p>\n