With an area of 1,648,195 km2 and population about 67,000,000, Iran is situated in southwest Asia, roughly three times the size of France or equal to a fifth of The United States. It is bordered by the republic of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Caspian Sea on the north, Turkey and Iraq on the west, Afghanistan and Pakistan on the east, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman on the south. Total terrestrial borders of the country are 5170km and the water one in the North and south are 2510km.

Iranians are Persian-speaking and originally Indo-European who entered the country from Central Asia in the 2nd millennium BC. There are other various Ethnic groups such as Kurds, Lurs, Azeri Turks, Gilakis, Turkmans, Balochis, Arabs, Qashqais and Bakhtiaris are living there. Many tourists are very interested in visiting the decampment of Nomads. Qashqais, and Bakhtiaris Tribes are the most famous one who very well preserved their old tradition and culture. It should be mention that their present life style is not much deferent from our ancient forefathers, so one can touch the life and culture of ancient Iranian by visiting and being familiar with Nomads life , especially during decampment between winter and summer quarter.

Since Iran is almost situated between three major Bio geographical realms is called the land of extremes that fully enjoys from its four-seasons. The main land is located in the Palaearctic and is considered the center of many genetic resources of the world valuable plant species such as wheat, or medicinal and aromatic species (this part includes north part of the country, grand mountain ranges, cool climate, and lush green forests). The southwest has some Afro-tropical features, while the southeast has some species from the Indo-Malayan sub-tropical realm.

The high and low lands and the terrific difference of height in Iran have provided remarkable variety of flora and fauna. There is also another indication of this wide-ranged variety, Mount Damavand of the Alborz range with the height of 5671 meters above the sea level is higher than any peak west of the Hindukush in Eurasia, while green plain coast of the Caspian Sea which lays at the foot of the same mountain is 26 meters below the sea level. The Caspian Forests (Hyrcanian forests) are famous to be the living museum of plants similar to those was found before ice age in Europe. Beeches with a ground cover of holly in the north contrast with fan palm and mangroves in the south. The faunal diversity is such as to include the black grouse and the scared ibis, the seal and the marsh crocodile.

Climatologically, Iran is predominantly an arid and semi-arid country, but the northern slopes of the Alburz ranges and the Caspian lowland receive 800 to 2000 mm annual rain and are the most humid part of the country. The Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut deserts (the midpoint of this desert has an altitude of about 300 meters from the sea level and is considered to be one of the hottest places in the world) are the driest parts with less than 150 mm annual precipitation. The highlands receive between 250 and 800 mm.

The range of temperature in different parts of Iran in a single cycle of climate change varies about 90°C, i.e. 36°C below freezing in mountainous areas of north and west and 54°C above zero in southern part of the country.
Even more interesting is the difference of temperature at the same time in two close areas, enabling one to go skiing on Zagros Mountains, then in an hour, swimming and water skiing to the beach of the Persian Gulf in the south.

The rare great climatic composition of Iran has allowed it to posses such interesting rich wildlife diversity within its borders undoubtedly draw the attention of every specialist and nature lover. Including to the estimated number of 10,000 species of plants, it is almost equal to the number of plant species of the whole Europe, with more than2000 of which endemics. About 504 bird species, among these there are some precious and rare species like Siberian Crane, Ground jay (only endemic bird of Iran), Houbara Bustard, Falcons, Imperial Eagle, Dalmatian Pelican and etc. Regardless of Asiatic Lion, which used to live in the central groves of Iran, and Caspian Tiger which was extinct not long ago, over 160 mammals out of which 5 are endemics are good indications of Iran’s great biodiversity. One can see the Persian Fallow deer which was thought to be extinct, Cheetah which is really in danger of extinction, Persian Wild Ass, Asiatic Black Bear, and Gazelle. A hundred and twenty species of lizards (24 of them are endemics), 10 species of tortoise, 1 species of crocodile (Gandoo or marsh crocodile), 20 amphibious (7 endemics), and 175 fish species with over 20 endemics.

In addition to the rich diversity in its flora and fauna, Iran enjoys having 19 national parks, 90 protected areas, 33 wildlife refuges, 16 natural monuments, 22 international wetlands out of 50 ones, and 10 biosphere reserves. Lake Orumieh is known as one of the 59 biosphere reserves.

It is also worth note that Iran is the habitat of the biggest mammals of the world (Blue Whale) and the smallest one (Pygmy White-toothed Shrew), also has over 100 peaks which are above 4000m where are home to animals such as, Persian Ibex, Caspian Snow cock, and Ring Ouzel.