Iran

Iran, formerly known as Persia, is situated at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia, and the Arab states of the Middle East. Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979, when the monarchy was overthrown and clerics assumed political control under Ayatollah Khomeini. Iran was one of the greatest empires of the ancient world, and has long maintained a distinct cultural identity by retaining its own language and adhering to the Shia interpretation of Islam. The capital of Iran is Tehran and its official language is Farsi.

Whilst travelling around Iran, you are sure to come across a stunning variety of culinary delights. The variance in ingredients and dishes is partly owed to the diverse climates which exist across the country, resulting in only the richest of ingredients that are used for cooking. Made from lots of herbs, kidney beans and lamb, Ghormeh Sabzi is typically served with rice and is another very popular and must-try dish in Iran. Another heart-warming, traditional dish which is generally served in the winter is the soup dish Ash Reshte. Hearty and delicious, this soup is made from chickpeas, beans, noodles and plenty of herbs. Tahdig is the golden crispy layer found at the bottom of the rice pot. It’s normally eaten as a side dish however there is never enough of it and Tahdig often finds itself in the middle of most family rows. Much of Iran is cut off from the outside world by a beautiful but often lonely landscape. High, rugged mountains create a barrier with Iran's neighbours in the west, and the eastern region is covered by a barren, salty desert. Iran has a long history of scholarship that has created a rich culture of art, literature, poetry, music, cuisine, and architecture.

Activity 1: Read the text and answer the questions: 

1. What is the capital of Iran?

2. What type of dish is tahdig in Iran?

3. What is another popular dish in Iran besides tahdig?

4. What is ash reshte made with?

5. What is the official language of Iran?

6. What is the location of Iran?

Activity 2. Match the words with the correct definitions:

1. crossroad

2. distinct

3. identity

4. ingredient

5. landscape

a. noticeably different

b. a rural view, especially one of picturesque effect, as seen from a distance or an elevation

c. a junction where one street or road crosses another

d. the difference or character that marks off an individual from the rest or the same kind

e. a component of a mixture or compound food that is a component of a mixture in cooking

Activity 3: Further reading - Go online and find interesting things about Iran in order to answer these questions:

Trivia questions about Iran: 

1. What is the largest city in Iran?

2. What is the highest mountain in Iran?

3. What is the climate like in Iran?

4. What is the population of Iran?

5. What is the traditional form of dance in Iran?

6. What is the most popular sport in Iran?

7. What is the currency of Iran?

8. What is the traditional musical instrument of Iran?

9. What is the political system in Iran?

10.  What are the major rivers in Iran?