Really is interesting to see these more green parts of the Middle East, common media centered in the region focuses so heavily on the deserts, not even really giving much attention to the major rivers a lot of major city networks have huddled around outside of the coastal regions.
I suspect media focuses on the deserts for two reasons: it’s where a lot of conflict happens, and it makes it easier to alienize.
This is the cradle of civilization. Iraq is home to Sumeria and Babylon while Iran is the modern name of Persia. And yeah these places have always been depicted as deserty, and they have desert, but they’re deserts like Arizona is; and much like there’s a forest surrounding the Grand Canyon there’s much greenery in Iran. After all, where there are mountains there are usually both forests and deserts. Iran has projected power as far as Europe on and off for the whole of recorded history.
This isn’t a defense of the caliphate, I hope to see it fall to a secular republic. But holy fuck I’d love to visit a secular republic of Iran. The country is gorgeous.
I remember hearing a YouTuber (Shadiversity) say Minas Tirith is unrealistic as a city.
My legs hurt looking at that picture
