a separate and distinctive character and made an immense contribution to the Islamic civilization. Many provinces in Iran defended themselves against the Arab invaders, although none in the end was able to repulse the invaders. By 9th century, Islam became a dominant religion in Persia and the conversion of Iranians to Islam brought profound changes in their life and culture. However in some regions, like Fars province, Zoroastrianism was strong up to the 9th century. Iran's first encompassing Shi'a Islamic state was established under the Safavid Dynasty (1501–1722) by Shah Ismail I. The Safavid Dynasty soon became a major political power and promoted the flow of bilateral state contacts. The Safavid peak was during the rule of Shah Abbas, The Great.

World War I found Iran in difficult straits. Its economy was shattered, and the country suffered from a growing power vacuum. In 1921 Reza Khan led a group of soldiers into Tehran. He demanded that the cabinet be dissolved and that the failing Qajar shah appoint him commander of the military. In 1923, the last Qajar shah named Reza Khan as prime minister and then traveled to Europe to seek medical attention, never to return. The Qajar dynasty, which had ruled Iran since 1785, was deposed in 1925. Shortly thereafter, Reza Khan assumed the position of Shah and established the Pahlavi Dynasty. Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was twenty-two years old when he assumed his position as the Shah of Iran. It was during this period that allied forces occupied much of the country.

The Iranian Revolution, also known as the Islamic Revolution, began in January 1978 with the first major demonstrations against the Shah.  After strikes and demonstrations paralyzed the country and its economy, the Shah fled the country in January 1979 and Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile to Tehran. The Pahlavi Dynasty collapsed ten days later on 11 February and Iran officially became an Islamic Republic on 1 April 1979 when Iranians overwhelmingly approved a national referendum to make it so. In December 1979, the country approved a theocratic constitution, whereby Khomeini became Supreme Leader of the country. The revolution ultimately resulted in an Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

In April 1980 tension between Iran and Iraq led to border incidents. Apparently Saddam Hussein of Iraq saw a chance to make territorial gains at the expense of Iran. Although Saddam Hussein's forces made several early advances, by 1982, Iranian forces managed to push the Iraqi army back into Iraq.

Iranians were always famous for their innovations, Ancient Iranians built Qanats and Yakhchal to provide and keep water. The first windmill appeared in Iran in the 9th century. They contributed significantly to the current understanding of astronomy, natural science, medicine, mathematics, and philosophy. For last 20 years, Iran strives to revive the golden age of Persian science. The country has increased its publication output nearly tenfold from 1996 through 2004, and has been ranked first in terms of output growth rate followed by China.  Despite the limitations in funds, facilities, and international collaborations, Iranian scientists remain highly productive in several experimental fields as pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, organic chemistry, and polymer chemistry. In the biomedical sciences, Iran's Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics is a UNESCO chair in biology. In late 2006, Iranian scientists successfully cloned a sheep by somatic cell nuclear transfer, at the Rouyan research centre in Tehran.

Iran is divided into thirty provinces, each governed by an appointed governor. The provinces are divided into counties, and subdivided into districts. Iran has one of the highest urban growth rates in the world. From 1950 to 2002, the urban proportion of the population increased from 27% to 60%.The United Nations predicts that by 2030 80% of the population will be urban. Tehran, with population of 7,705,036, is the largest city in Iran and is the Capital city. Tehran is home to around 11% of Iran's population and it is the country's largest economic center and the base for its large and small modern technological and industrial establishments. It is, like many big cities, suffers from air pollution. It is the hub of the country's communication and transport network. So-called "The City of 72 Nations" represents the diverse ethnic, linguistic and religious composition of the country. As a major economic, educational and sports hub plus an attractive destination for winter tourism, Tehran stands out as a truly modern city in the heart of ancient Iran. Tehran is immense and proliferates like a coral reef, but in an orderly manner. Towering buildings have been erected right and left. Large stores, super-markets, self-service shops have been opened, public buildings, government departments and monuments have been built and an array of giant cranes shows the development fever. Daring modern buildings, erected during the past few years, give, despite their frequently dry architecture, an impression of what Tehran’s beauty will be in these years. The Capital a veritable boom town undergoing intense activity, continues to expand according to a rational plan in a checkered pattern and modern buildings rise up beside 19th century houses. Northern Tehran is home to the usual tourist attractions such as museums, shopping centers, art galleries and palaces. The respective authorities in Tehran have made great efforts to further cultivate and grow leisure facilities for its inhabitants, such as parks and theatres.

Modern architecture was introduced in Iran 60 years ago and we are now witnessing the fourth generation of Iranian architects. With architecture how a productive activity, we should admit that considerable progress has been made in this period. The Azadi Tower has been the longstanding symbol of Tehran, but the recently constructed Milad Tower may eventually replace the Azadi Tower as Tehran's new symbol. The Milad complex contains the world's fourth tallest tower, several restaurants, a five star hotel, a convention center, a world trade center, and an IT park. Traditionally a low-lying city due to seismic activity in the region, modern high rise developments in Tehran have been undertaken in order to service its growing population. In winters, the mountain hotels and ski-clubs at north of Tehran are full several days a week. Some expert skiers’ people consider the snow quality in northern of Tehran to be one of the best in the world.  Dozens of small houses with zinc roofs nestle among the bushes. Some are private dwellings, but most are coffee-houses. Mountain streams run among the tables. But everyone does not sit around a table; many of the customers prefer the ancient-style comfort of low divans covered with old carpets. Delicious "kababs" are peacefully consumed accompanied by boiling hot tea and Pepsi-Cola sodas.

More than 5000 years of interaction between human and nature, nature and culture, common ceremonies and old traditions are now laid in the base of a modern and sophisticated country which can host the genuine travelers from all around the world. Keeping in mind the developments observed in Iranian modern arts, civic activities and culture within the past three decades, introduction of modern Iran more effectively and more precisely to the world nations seems to be a necessity today. So during the last 10 years, along with the global growth of tourism, the ministry of cultural heritage, handicrafts and tourism reinforced its efforts for excellent hosting of the Iran rich natural, historical and cultural heritages and to invite interested tourists.  We invite you to come and see Iran; the visiting guests are always welcomed by Iranians.