History and Culture
See also: History of Iran and Culture of Iran| Name | Rank | Out of | Source | Notes | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oldest countries on earth | 1 | World | List of countries by statehood | Iran with its inception in 3200 BC, is the oldest country in the world. More info: History of Iran & List of sovereign states by formation date | 2010 |
| World Tourism rankings | 55 | World | United Nations | 2.5 million foreign tourists visited Iran in 2007; Ranked by Iranian government at 68th worldwide; 641 hotels with 63,000 beds; Tourism generates 1.8% of employment More info: Tourism in Iran & Official Iran Tourism Website & Tourism Competitiveness | 2007 |
| World heritage sites | 12 | 239 | United Nations | 12 World Heritage Sites; More info: List of the world heritage sites | 2010 |
| Longest defensive wall | 2 | World | List of walls | Great Wall of Gorgan is the second longest defensive wall in existence after the Great Wall of China | 2010 |
| World's oldest artificial water reservoirs | 1 | World | Qanat | The world's oldest water reservoir is in Gonabad, is more than 2700 years old & is still in use; It is also the world's largest qanat; More info: Iranian architecture | 2010 |
| International Tourist Arrivals per Year | 59 | 152 | United Nations | 740,000 International tourists visit Iran/Year; More info: Visa requirements for Iranian citizens | 2000 |
| International tourism expenditure | 28 | 158 | World Bank | Amount Iranian tourists spent in 2004 on their international visits: 4.4 billion dollars; Alternative survey by UN put the figure at $4.6 billion for the year 2006 & the amount International tourists spent in Iran for the same year at $1.2 billion | 2004 |
| Sovereign jewels collection | 1 | World | Iranian Crown Jewels | World's largest collection of jewels | 2010 |
| Number of former national capitals | 1 | World | List of former national capitals | Highest number of national capital relocations; Iran has had 31 former capitals before Tehran | 2010 |
| Largest producers of handmade carpets | 1 | World | Carpet | Iran produces 3/4 of the world's handmade carpets; Iran has 30% share of the world's carpet export market; Iran has also produced the world's largest handmade carpet, measuring 60,546 square feet. More info: Carpet Museum of Iran | 2010 |
| Total cinema attendance | 19 | 78 | United Nations | 26,000,000 attendances | 2003 |
| Number of cinema seats | 15 | 60 | United Nations | 173,000 Cinema seats in total | 1995 |
Read more about this topic: International Rankings Of Iran
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“He was one whose glory was an inner glory, one who placed culture above prosperity, fairness above profit, generosity above possessions, hospitality above comfort, courtesy above triumph, courage above safety, kindness above personal welfare, honor above success.”
—Sarah Patton Boyle, U.S. civil rights activist and author. The Desegregated Heart, part 1, ch. 1 (1962)