Population and Growth ๐
Did you know that Tehran is home to almost 10 million people? As of 2025, the population is estimated at 9,730,000. That's a lot of people! In fact, Tehran has grown tremendously over time. Back in 1950, only about 1 million people lived there. Today, Tehran is not only the largest city in Iran but also the 30th largest city in the world ๐.
Amazing Place to Visit: Golestan Palace ๐ฐ
One of Tehranโs most spectacular sights is Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built over 400 years ago during the Safavid dynasty, this palace became the heart of Iranโs government when the Qajar dynasty chose Tehran as the capital in 1794. Imagine walking through gardens filled with pools and fruit trees ๐ณ, surrounded by dazzling buildings decorated with mosaics, paintings, and mirrored walls!
The Marble Throne Hall is the oldest part of the palace. Here, kings once sat on a shimmering throne carved from yellow marble, surrounded by intricate carvings of flowers ๐ธ and mythical creatures. Another highlight is Shams-ol Emareh ("Edifice of the Sun"), a towering 19th-century building with stained-glass windows and balconies that offer panoramic views of Tehran. The palace also showcases a unique mix of Persian and European art, like oil paintings of Qajar rulers next to traditional Persian tilework.
Golestan Palace isnโt just a museumโit was a hub for artists, poets ๐, and photographers. In fact, it housed Iranโs first photography studio! Today, its eight museums let visitors step back in time, exploring everything from royal costumes ๐ to ancient manuscripts.
Language and Food ๐ฝ๏ธ
People in Tehran speak Persian (also called Farsi). When it comes to food, Tehran offers some truly delicious dishes! One famous Persian food is "Khoresht-e Fesenjan," a tasty stew made with pomegranate and walnuts. It's often served at wedding celebrations ๐ฐ. Another popular dish is "Zereshk Polo," which is rice with sweet-sour barberries and chicken.
Famous People from Tehran ๐ญ
Hossein Alizadeh: Master of Persian Music ๐ถ
Tehran is home to incredible artists like Hossein Alizadeh, a world-famous musician born here in 1951. As a child, he fell in love โค๏ธ with traditional Persian instruments like the tar (a long-necked lute) and setar (a smaller, delicate string instrument). He studied with legendary masters and later blended these ancient sounds with modern styles.
Alizadehโs music tells stories of Persian history and nature. His album Endless Vision earned a Grammy nomination in 2006 ๐, and heโs performed everywhere from Paris to Tokyo. He also composed music for award-winning films like Gabbeh, which showcases Iranโs vibrant textile art. Beyond performing, Alizadeh teaches and mentors young musicians, ensuring Persian classical music stays alive.
Maryam Mirzakhani: The Math Genius ๐
Maryam Mirzakhani, born in Tehran in 1977, became a global superstar in mathematics. As a teenager, she won gold medals at the International Math Olympiad ๐ฅโscoring a perfect 42/42 in 1995! She studied at Sharif University in Tehran and later earned a Ph.D. from Harvard, where she solved tough problems about shapes called hyperbolic surfaces.
In 2014, Mirzakhani made history as the first woman (and first Iranian) to win the Fields Medal ๐ , the "Nobel Prize of math". Her work helped scientists understand how particles move on curved surfaces and how shapes like doughnuts or pretzels can be measured. Despite her fame, she remained humble, saying, "The beauty of mathematics shows itself to patient followers".
Tragically, Mirzakhani passed away in 2017, but her legacy inspires girls worldwide to pursue math. Today, Iran holds annual math competitions in her honor, and her story reminds us that curiosity and hard work can change the world ๐.
Fun Fact ๐ค
Here's something surprising about Tehran - it has the world's fifth-highest ski resort! The Tochal ski resort โท๏ธ sits over 3,730 meters (12,240 feet) above sea level. Can you imagine skiing high up in the mountains while looking down at a huge city below? ๐๏ธ