Take a Trip to Iran

19 Dec, 2011Asia, Travel

Iran, which was formerly known as Persia, has the oldest history of civilization dating back to 4,000 B.C. Iran has a population of 66 million. Located in the Persian Gulf bordering Afghanistan, and Pakistan, Iran is mainly a Muslim society. Iran is the only Islamic country, where Shia Muslims are the only ones with power. Farsi or Persian as it is called is the west is the official language of the region. Iran’s economy is driven by oil, since they are the world’s 4th largest oil producers.

Iran derives from the word Aryanam, meaning Land of the Aryans. Powerful dynasties ruled what used to be Persia beginning with Cyrus the Great. In 637 Muslims invaded the region and for 35 years continued to conquer land. In 1219 Genghis Khan conquered Persia along with the Mongols who governed till 1335. Later Timur the Lame started invading the region and conquered bit by bit for 10 years until all of Persia was under his control. After the 16th century small dynasties came in to rule Persia, with the most powerful dynasty being the Safavid Dynasty. By the 18th century Qajar rulers overtook the region briefly faded at the turn of the century.

Modern Iran: Economic, Social and Political Instability
Iran has always had an unstable and tumultuous history dating back to its early roots. In recent years Iran has been at the center of political controversy resulting from the Anti-Semitic statements made from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iran’s social, political and economic turmoil dates back to the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980’s. Despite the war being over, there are still pressing issues that remain unsettled. Since then Iran has suffered. It was recently published that the unemployment rate was t 16%, but Iranians link it more towards 30%. According to some estimate 40% of the country live beyond poverty level. With many young college graduates finishing their schooling, the unemployment rate is expected to increase.
In 2009 women’s rights issues were part of a topic for presidential elections. Presidential candidates were pushed to place value on women as potential voters, and leave connotations of women solely being wives and mothers. Women who currently attend colleges and universities have increased at a fast rate, based on a 2006 census there are more women attending colleges than men. They are also marrying much later due to academic responsibilities. Women still only comprise 17% of the working class in the region. Women movements and activists groups in Iran are a force to be reckon with and their impact is raising awareness globally. Uprisings, not only by women, but by youth in general have been pressing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for social and political change. The youth protest the high cost of living and the high unemployment rate, causing them to relocate from their country.

Iran has come very close to changes we can see that based on its past history. But changes need to come from the inside of its walls.

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