Local time: GMT+3½ hours 

Flag description: Three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is the Greatest) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band.

In the summer, temperatures vary from a high of 123 F (50^o C) in Khuzistan at the head of the Persian Gulf to a low of 35 F (1^o C) in Azerbaijan in the north-west. Precipitation also varies greatly, ranging from less than two inches in the south-east to about 78 in the Caspian region.

-Iranian calendar is completely different from Arabic or Christian one.

-Iranian calendar is named HEJRI SHAMSI (Solar) based on sun rotation around Earth just like Christian one but Arabic calendar is based on moon rotation around Earth (Lunar).

-The first day of Iranian New Year is March the 21st (first day of spring)

-We have 12 months or 365 days per year that every 4 years we have 366 days per year. The first six months (spring and summer) each one has 31 days and the second half of the year: 5 months, each one has 30 days and final month has 29 days.

Month’s names are as follows:

- To convert Iranian year to Christian year and vice versa:

A: If it is January the 1st to March the 21st - subtract 602 from Christian year.

B: If it is March the 22nd to December the 31st - subtract 601 from Christian year.

C: To convert the Iranian year into Christian year, add 621 years to the reference year.

- Weekend holidays: Thursday (semi holiday) and Friday (general holiday)

- New year (Nowrooz) holidays: 4 days (From March the 21st to March the 25th)

- Fiscal year: Starts at March the 21st and ends at next year March the 20th.

Iran is linked by rail to four countries: Turkey, Pakistan, Republic of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Below maps are showing the strategic position of Iran which is actually a safe and beneficial bridge between Europe, CIS and Persian Gulf. (Countries with a coastline on the Persian Gulf are: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar on a peninsula off the Saudi coast, Bahrain on an island, Kuwait and Iraq in the northwest, and Iran in the north)

Abadan, Khorramshahr, Bandar Mahshahr, Bandar Imam Khomeini, Khark Island, Bandar Bushehr, Bandar Taheri, Assaluyah, Bandar Abbas, Lavan Island, Sirri Island, Kish Island, Gheshm Island, Chabahar, Bandar Anzali and NowShahr.

• Directory of Cities, Towns, and Regions in Iran

• Current Weather (Iran Metrological Org - BBC Weather)

• Persian Calendar Program