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Contemporary City
History

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Contemporary City
After the overthrow (1979) of Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi and the establishment of an Islamic republic in Iran, Tehran underwent many changes. At the start of Enghelab Avenue is the Freedom (Azadai) Monument, built (1971) by the former shah as the Shahyad Monument. Hosseineh Mosque, closed down by the former regime, has been reopened as an Islamic training center with an extensive Islamic library. The Reza Shah Pahlavi Mausoleum has been renamed the Center for Islamic Studies and converted to religious use. Gulestan, Marble (Marmar), and Saadabad palaces are now maintained by the new regime to illustrate the opulence in which the former royal family lived. Old Shanhashani Park on Mosaddeq Street has been renamed Melaat Park. In this same area of the lower city, in a labyrinth of narrow, covered alleys, are the famous bazaars of Tehran, a myriad of small shops and stalls grouped according to wares sold. The city's two major universities are the University of Tehran (1934) and the National University (1960).
The majority of the people are both Muslim and Persian, although Jewish, Christian Armenian, and other minorities also live there. Persian is the predominant language. The educated classes generally also speak English or French.
Before the revolution Tehran was the focus of Iran's industrial-modernization program. The city continues to produce about half of the country's manufactured goods. Numerous banks and insurance companies are located in the city. A petroleum refinery and an auto assembly plant are nearby.

History
The city of Tehran stands near the site of the former Iranian capital of Rey, which was destroyed by Mongols in 1220. The nearby village of Tehran was fortified in the 16th century, and since 1788 it has served as the capital of Iran. During the 19th century Tehran had a population of 120,000.
Tehran's vast modern expansion began under Reza Shah Pahlavi (r. 1925-41). By 1939 the population of the city had reached 500,000. By 1960 it was 2 million, and by 1976 it was 4.5 million. This phenomenal growth led to serious problems of overcrowding and pollution.
In November 1979 militant Iranian students seized the U.S. embassy in Tehran, precipitating a prolonged international crisis (see Iranian hostage crisis). Parts of the city were damaged by bombing raids during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88). In the 1990s, as the Iranian government tried to attract foreign investors, a major effort to clean up the city and improve services there was launched.

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