Overall Score
150 kilometers from the city of Tehran lies the city of Koum, the capital of a single province. It is the sacred city of the Shichites. It has a Moslem shrine that is the second most important of its kind in En-Najaf. Nearby are deposits of natural gas and oil. ×A highway runs through Koum to Isfahan.
The city was originally founded in the pre-Musliman era. At first, Koum was only called Koum in the city. But eventually it became the name of the city. After Koum was conquered by the Arabs, the political refugees, the Sectists and the Shiites – the opposition to the Caliphate – moved into its territory as a permanent resident. In the aftermath, Koum suffered considerable damage and was often destroyed during the interwar and Afghani domination. In the 19th century, during the period of Fatah Ali-Chahá Koum was a candidate for the role of capital city. It was at that time that new religious buildings, particularly St. Johns schools and churches, appeared on the citys streets.
In todays Kumam, a well-known religious center, there are many educational institutions. There are a large number of institutions that educate Iranians and representatives of other countries. The International University of Al-Mustafa oversees all of the religious institutions that educate the students. The most famous and revered archaeological monument is the Tomb of Fatima Masume. A high tower was erected over the structure over time. During the period of Òógórúl-Báks reign, a cupola was built over the tomb. Later, in the time of the Kadzhars, there appeared the inner courtyards. The walls of the sanctuary are covered with inscriptions dating from the middle of the 19th century. In Koum in 1877, the future Shiite Muslim leader Abaybas ibn Muhammad Rueda was born. The renowned scholar has produced a number of works, including Sea Ships, The Top of Dreams, and The Collection of Prayers.
Overall Score
- Tap water: No, not drinkable
- Religious government: Religious
- Population: 1,200,000 people
- GDP: $5,299 / year
- Power outlets: 230V50Hz
- Internet: 3 Mbps
- Best wireless: IranCell
- Tipping: In Iran, as in most of the civilised world outside the US, you should tip as you see fit for the services that you receive. In other words, tip if you want to show appreciation for unusually good service or if you love the people who are providing that service, and don’t tip if you don’t.
- Apartment listings: Delta Home
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best taxi: Snapp
- Best short-haul air carrier: Iran Air
- Best intl air carrier: Iran Air
- Monthly costs for expat: $420
- Monthly costs for family: $900
- Monthly costs for local: $260
- Meal: $1.4
- Small Cola: $0.6
- Beer 1 Pint: $0.6
- Coffee: $1
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