or TEHRAN, the modern capital of Persia, in a wide, stony, and barren plain, bounded on the E. and W. by bare hills, and on the N. by the mountains of Elburz, 211 miles N. of Isphahan. Before the present century, it was hardly a town of sufficient importance for the capital of a province, and had been destroyed by the Afghans at the beginning of the 18th century. But about 1790 it was selected by Aga Mohammed Khan as his residence, improved by him, and still further enlarged and embellished by his successor. As a central point of general surveillance for the safety of the empire, between the provinces to the N.W., which border on Georgia, and those to the E., which are subject to invasions from the Turkomans and their restless allies of Afghanistan, it is well chosen; but it is far from being a pleasant residence, and it is very damp and unhealthy during the summer. It is about 4 miles in circumference, and surrounded by a high mud wall, with towers, and a dry ditch. Several gates give access to the town, which consists of narrow, crooked, and dirty streets, with very mean houses built of sun-dried bricks. The only good buildings are the British residency, the house of the Russian ministry, and the sultan's palace, which stands in the citadel, and consists of a number of buildings, courts and gardens, covering a wide area, and enclosed by a high wall. Many parts of the town are covered with extensive ruins of former buildings. The bazars are large but very dirty, and generally crowded. Teheran contains an iron-foundry, and is a place of considerable trade. On a hill to the N.E. stands an imperial palace, with extensive grounds; and to the S. of the town are the ruins of the ancient Rhages, once the capital of Persia. Pop. permanently from 10,000 to 12,000; during the residence of the court in winter, upwards of 60,000.