Over 260 million people faced severe food shortages last year.

Iran, historically known as Persia, is a country in West Asia with one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, dating back to the Elamite kingdoms around 3200 BCE. It was the center of the powerful Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, and later saw the rise of the Sassanian and Safavid dynasties, which shaped its rich cultural and architectural heritage. Today, Iran is renowned for its stunning sites like Persepolis, Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Square, and its profound influence on art, literature, and science.

Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Darius I in the 6th century BCE. Located in modern-day Iran, it served as a grand symbol of Persian power and cultural achievement until it was sacked and burned by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE. Today, its impressive ruins, including the Gate of All Nations and the Apadana Palace, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Square, also known as Imam Square, is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Iran, built in the early 17th century during the Safavid dynasty under Shah Abbas I. It served as the royal heart of the empire, surrounded by iconic landmarks like the Shah Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace, and the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque. Today, it remains a vibrant cultural hub, reflecting the grandeur of Persian architecture and urban planning.

Iran, historically known as Persia, is a country in West Asia with a rich cultural heritage spanning over 2,500 years. It was the center of the ancient Persian Empire, including the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanid dynasties, and later became a major hub of Islamic civilization after the Arab conquest in the 7th century. Today, its cultural sites like Persepolis and the Naqsh-e Jahan Square reflect this deep historical legacy.

Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Darius the Great in the 6th century BCE in present-day Iran. It served as a grand center for royal receptions and the celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, until it was destroyed by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE. Today, its ruins, including the Gate of All Nations and the Apadana Palace, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of ancient Persian civilization.

Isfahan’s Naqsh-e Jahan Square, also known as Imam Square, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest city squares in the world. Built in the early 17th century under Shah Abbas I of the Safavid dynasty, it served as the heart of the Persian Empire, surrounded by grand monuments like the Shah Mosque, Ali Qapu Palace, and the Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque. The square was designed as a royal and civic center for processions, polo matches, and trade, reflecting the power and cultural flourishing of Safavid Persia.

The Achaemenid Empire (c. 550–330 BCE) was the first Persian empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, which became the largest empire of the ancient world, stretching from the Balkans to the Indus Valley. Known for its efficient administration, cultural tolerance, and infrastructure like the Royal Road, it set a model for later empires. The empire fell to Alexander the Great after the conquest of its ceremonial capital, Persepolis, in 330 BCE.

The Sasanian dynasty was the last pre-Islamic Persian empire, ruling from 224 to 651 CE. It succeeded the Parthian Empire and is renowned for reviving Persian culture, Zoroastrianism, and monumental architecture, such as the Taq Kasra palace. The dynasty ended with the Arab Muslim conquest of Persia, marking a major transition in the region’s history.

The Safavid dynasty (1501–1736) was a significant Persian empire that established Twelver Shi’a Islam as the official state religion, shaping Iran’s religious and cultural identity. Founded by Shah Ismail I, it reached its zenith under Shah Abbas I, who moved the capital to Isfahan and fostered a golden age of art, architecture, and trade. The dynasty is renowned for its architectural achievements, including the stunning Naqsh-e Jahan Square and the development of Persian carpet weaving.

The Gate of All Nations, also known as the Gate of Xerxes, is a monumental entrance located in the ancient city of Persepolis, Iran. Built around 486–465 BCE by King Xerxes I, it served as the grand entrance to the ceremonial complex, symbolizing the unity and power of the Achaemenid Empire by welcoming dignitaries from all subject nations. The gate is renowned for its massive stone columns and reliefs depicting lamassu (mythical winged bulls), and it remains a striking testament to Persian architectural and imperial ambition.

The Apadana Palace is a grand audience hall in Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the ancient Achaemenid Empire. Commissioned by Darius the Great in the 6th century BCE and completed by his son Xerxes I, it was used for royal receptions and featured iconic relief sculptures depicting delegates from across the empire bringing tribute. The palace was destroyed by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE, but its ruins remain a UNESCO World Heritage site and a symbol of Persian architectural achievement.