In 1999, line 5, the first of the Tehran metro system was opened to the public. Since then, it's been joined by four others (lines 1, 2, 3 and 4) and the carriages that travel along its air conditioned tunnels are considered the cleanest in the world.
On average, excluding kitchens, bathrooms and storage rooms, there were 1.6 people per room in each of the city's homes. That might not be surprising given that the city has about 12 million inhabitants packed into 1,500 km squared. Swelling at a rate of 1.3% each year, the south and east of the city remain the most dense, while newer parts still have a lower population density.
In some parts of the city, almost one in two households don't have a freezer while in others (presumably the more prosperous areas) that figure drops to one in 10. There are similarly big gaps in personal computer ownership which averages out at 55% of households. Outside of the capital, those figures plummet. According to the statistical centre of Tehran, 33.4% of households have a computer.
For some women, the Islamic dress codes in Iran pose no obstacle to expression and innovation in fashion. The Tehran Times, a creation of Araz Fazaeli, has developed a mass following – over 13,000 on Instagram and 18,000 on Facebook. It showcases a more vibrant side of the city.
It isn't the only blog in town either. From the Azad art gallery to the Guardian's very own Tehran Bureau there are a lot of people who have something to say online.
Everyone is born equally capable but lacks equal opportunity. Pierre Omidyar
