or Tehran Teheran

Teheran, or Tehran (pop. 5,734,000), capital and largest city of Iran. It is situated in northern Iran, south of the Elburz Mountains. It is believed that the area known today as Teheran was settled some 3,000 years ago; it began as a small town, but by the 1200s it had grown significantly. It received prominence after the Mogol destruction of nearby Ragy (1220) and became capital of Iran in 1788. Teheran is Iran's chief center of commerce and industry, employing a majority of the Iranian working population. Under Reza Shah Pahleve the city was modernized and is considered today to be one of the most modern cities in the Middle East. Teheran has two major universities.

See also: Iran.