Persepolis
| Population - Total - Density - Metro |
12,530,164 17,500/km² 24,500,000 |
| Country | Parthia |
| Area - Total |
4500 km² |
Persepolis is the capital and largest city of the Shahdom of Parthia. One of the oldest cities in the world, with richly ornate ancient ruins, bountiful museums filled with grand relics of the past, and a timeless history its people are immensely proud of, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Not only history buffs, but art buffs (the city has dozens of art galleries that put the Louvre to shame), diners (several of the restaurants in Persepolis are ranked among the world's best by food critics), and architecture buffs. Although not open to the public - and heavily fortified - the city's biggest attraction, drawing over 10,000,000 visitors a year, is the Shah's palace. The city is also famed for its remarkably warm and hospitable people, who are not only receptive and open to visitors, but fluent or near-fluent in English. Police, hospital workers, and those working in the tourism industry in particular, are well versed in the English language, and speak it as if it were their native tongue. The city is home to posh suburbs, exotic and beautiful gardens, vibrant nightlife, huge Western-style shopping malls, zoos, and much more.
Surprisingly for such a vast city, it is remarkably clean and safe. Pollution and litter are almost non-existent, the streets are smoothly paved, sidewalks are in top condition, and, aside from the Arab and Hazara slums gated off from the rest of the city (and inaccessible to tourists), the city is very clean and crime free. The economic well-being of the populace, coupled by a massive (largely unseen) presence of police and SAVAK agents, ensures that crime, especially against tourists, almost never happens. Bizarrely, one of the most popular activities for tourists is watching live executions of criminals, a practice that is resoundingly condemned by more left-leaning nations.
Though mostly Zoroastrian, the city is very diverse, with many small but vibrant Christian and Jewish communities. People of all races and religions (except the Arabs and Hazara, who are looked down upon) get along cordially, and are united in the pride they have for their great city and nation.
