Trivia in Iran

National symbols

Flag: Horizontal tricolor of green, white, and red with stylized "Allah" emblem in center, and Kufic script "Allahu Akbar" repeated 22 times along color boundaries

Emblem: Tulip-shaped "Allah" calligraphy composed of four swords and central sword point

Trivia & facts

• Persian carpet origins date back over 2,500 years
• Surface temperatures exceeding 70°C recorded in Dasht-e Lut, world's largest salt desert
• Approximately 90% of world saffron production share
• Friday is weekend; businesses often close Thursday afternoon
• Persian mathematical term "algorithm" derives from Iranian scholar Al-Khwarizmi
• High domestic car ownership rates in Middle East; domestic brands IKCO and SAIPA mainstream
• Desert city of Yazd retains wind towers "Badgir" over 3,000 years old
• Female university enrollment recently exceeded 60%, top-class in Middle East
• "Persian cat" originates from northern Iran
• Tehran metro opened 1999; expanded to over 7 lines currently