Tehran

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Tehran has been the subject of mass migration of people from all around Iran.[4] The city is home to many historic mosques, churches,synagogues and Zoroastrian fire temples. However, modern structures, notably Azadi (Liberty) Tower and the Milad Tower, have come to symbolise the city. Tehran is ranked 29th in the world by the population of its metropolitan area.[5] Throughout Iran's history, the capital has been moved many times, and Tehran is the 32nd national capital of Iran although it has been Iran's capital for about 220 years. Although a variety of unofficial languages are spoken, roughly 99% of the population understand and speak Persian.[6] The majority of people in Tehran identify themselves as Persians.[7][8] In pre-Islamic and early Islamic times, Tehran was an unimportant village and part of the area of present-day Tehran was occupied by Rey (which in the Avesta occurs in the form[9] of Ragha), now a part of the city of Tehran, which took over its role after the destruction of Rey by the Mongols in the early 13th century.

Clockwise, from top left: Milad Tower and the West Town, the Liberty Tower, the statue of Arash The Archer in Sa'dabad Palace, Ahmad Shāh Qājār Pavilion in Niavaran Palace Complex, the Central Bank of Iran,Roudaki Hall, the statue of Beronius (Birouni) in Laleh Park, and Elahiye District.