History/Customs Iran, also known as Persia, is a country in Western Asia. Though Iran is also known as Persia, it wasn't until 1935 that it adopted its present name. It is the second largest nation in the Middle East, having a land area of 1,648,195 km2. With over 77 million people, it is the world's 17th most populous nation. It shares borders with Iraq, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. In the 1500s B.C., Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979, until the monarchy was
Year, Persians celebrate Nowruz. They set up a haft-seen table, or a 7 "S” table. On this table the included special foods. These foods all start with the letter “seen”. Sabzeh is a sprout of a grain or lentil that represents happiness and regrowth. Samanu is a pudding made from wheat and represents prosperity. Senjed is fruit of the oleaster tree that has been dried. It represents perseverance. Seer is garlic and represents health. Seeb is an apple that represents beauty. Somaq is sumac berries and