iran

17 Facts You Don't Know About Iran:

1. Iran is home to one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, Susa, which dates back over 6,000 years.

2. The world's highest number of nose jobs per capita is recorded in Iran, making cosmetic surgery surprisingly common.

3. Iran boasts one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, Zoroastrianism, which dates back over 3,500 years and influenced the development of other major religions.

4. The city of Tabriz in Iran was the capital of the Mongol Ilkhanate in the 13th century and served as a major hub on the Silk Road.

5. Iran is one of the few countries in the world where hand-chopping is still used as a form of punishment for certain crimes.

6. Tehran, Iran's capital, is the second-largest city in Western Asia, after Istanbul.

7. Iranian cuisine is incredibly diverse, with each region boasting its own distinct culinary traditions, such as the spicy and aromatic cuisine of Gilan in the north.

8. Iran has one of the world's largest populations of Persian leopards, which are endangered and mainly inhabit the Alborz and Zagros Mountains.

9. Iran is home to one of the world's oldest universities, the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Qom, founded in 859 AD.

10. Despite its largely desert climate, Iran is home to over 7,000 plant species, many of which are endemic to the region.

11. Iran has a rich tradition of poetry, with poets like Hafez and Rumi being celebrated worldwide for their profound and lyrical verses.

12. The ancient city of Yazd in central Iran is known for its unique wind towers, which have been used for centuries to provide natural ventilation in buildings.

13. Iran is one of the few countries in the world where women outnumber men in higher education, with more women enrolled in universities than men.

14. The traditional Persian New Year, Nowruz, is celebrated on the spring equinox and has been observed for over 3,000 years.

15. Iran has the highest number of female students studying engineering and science at the undergraduate level compared to any other country in the world.

16. The Iranian city of Isfahan was once one of the largest cities in the world and served as the capital of the Persian Empire under the Safavid dynasty.

17. Iran is home to one of the world's oldest bazaars, the Grand Bazaar of Tehran, which dates back over 200 years and spans over 10 kilometers of labyrinthine alleys and bustling market stalls.