Historical Analysis of Sense of Place Function in Shaping and Continuation of Iranian Identity

Components of identity shaping in three eras of individual (genetics), environment and their interaction have been the subject of many studies. Individual/ environment/ country have been acted as important factors in constructing individual and social-national identity. Based on theory of sense of place and its effects on social-national identity construction, this article aims to analyze the extent and quality of Iranians’ consciousness toward sense of place. The findings indicate that Iranians, as the inhabitants of a country with defined boundaries that has been perceived as the center of the world, have had a strong sense of place toward Iran, something which has played an important role in the continuation of Iranian Identity.