National Geographic Countries of the World: Iran by National Geographic Society, Edmund Herzig, Dorreh Mirheydar

From the Publisher

Explore Iran’s rich history, which extends back nearly 6,000 years. Learn how Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution replaced the Shah’s monarchy. Examine the geography and economics behind Iran’s power in the Middle East. Meet the Shiite and Sunni Muslims who live in this Islamic republic.

Children's Literature

Kids planning reports will welcome this "Countries of the World" series with its abundance of information packed into an appealing format illustrated by the lively and well-reproduced color photos one would expect from National Geographic. Five sections cover geography, nature, history, people and culture, and government and economy, each highlighted by an appropriate map and sidebars with interesting, offbeat details. In Iran, writers can learn about the snow-capped mountains, salty deserts, fertile valleys and two long coastlines of oil-rich Iran, once called Persia. Pictured are rare, endangered animals like the Asiatic cheetah and the Persian leopard (Caspian tigers are now extinct), while the history section whisks readers through the centuries with ancient Elamites, Medes and Persians (who invented algebra and painted beautiful miniatures), Greeks, Arabs, shahs and ayatollahs. Today, nearly all Iranians are Muslims, though they enjoy good food, literature and films, folk and pop music, many sports, and still excel in the ancient art of weaving fine carpets. After a brief look at Iran's strict Islamic law, the position of women and tense relations with the West over nuclear aims, kids will appreciate the extra features: a useful bibliography of books, inviting websites and National Geographic articles as well as some super suggestions for ways to add zest to a report on Iran. The final end papers reveal a timeline of Iranian history. This attractive series will be fun for browsers and offer a motivating push for reluctant report writers. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft

Product Details