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جمهوری اسلامی ايران Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Īrān Islamic Republic of Iran
Flag Coat of arms of Iran Coat of arms
Motto: Independence, freedom, the Islamic Republic (Persian: Esteqlāl, āzādī, jomhūrī-ye eslāmī)
Anthem: Sorūd-e Mellī-e Īrān
Capitaland largest city	Tehran
Official languages	Persian
Government	Islamic republic
Revolution
• Water (%)	0.7%
Population
• 2005 estimate	68,017,860 (18th)
• 2000 census	N/A
GDP (PPP)	2005 estimate
• Total	$560,348,000,000 (19th)
• Per capita	$8,065 (77th)
HDI (2003)	0.736 high (99th)
Currency	Rial (ريال) (IRR)
Time zone	UTC+3.30
• Summer (DST)	UTC+4.30
Calling code	98
ISO 3166 code	IR
Internet TLD	.ir

Iran (Persian: ايران), also called Persia, is a Middle Eastern country located in Southwest Asia. It borders Armenia, Azerbaijan (including its Nakhichevan exclave), and Turkmenistan to the north, Pakistan and Afghanistan to the east, and Turkey and Iraq to the west. In addition, it shares the Persian Gulf waters with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Until 1935, the country was referred to in the West as Persia, although most Iranians referred to their country as Iran. On March 21 1935, Reza Shah Pahlavi issued a decree asking foreign delegates to use the native term Iran in formal correspondence. A dispute exists about the country's current official name. After Persian scholars' protested, Mohammad Reza Shah in 1959 announced both "Persia" and "Iran" could be used interchangeably. In 1979, the Iranian Revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini established a theocratic Islamic Republic. Iran retained its name and its political title was changed to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Shi'a Islam was set as the official religion of the state.

History

Sometime around 1500 to 1000 BC, the Iranian nomads of Indo-European stock emigrated to the Iranian plateau possibly from Central Asia. In 8th century BC, the first Iranian government was established under the Median dynasty and under the following dynasty, the Achaemenids, Iranians built the first world empire. Their empire emerged in the 6th century BC under Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire, who called himself "King of Iran and beyond". Indeed, the name Persia is derived from Persis, the ancient Greek name for the empire. The Achaemenid dynasty was followed by the Parthian and Sassanid dynasties as Persia's greatest pre-Islamic empires. Alexander the Great first conquered Persia in 331 BC, followed by Islam's Arab forces in the 7th century AD, and Genghis Khan, and lastly, Tamerlane who conquered a significant portion of Persia in the middle ages.

The 9th century saw the rise of the Saffarids and then other lines of kings or shahs. During the 19th century Persia came under increasing pressure from both Russia and the United Kingdom, leading to a process of modernization that continued into the 20th century. By the twentieth century Iranians were longing for a change and thus followed the Persian Constitutional Revolution of 1905/1911. The social unrest continued and culminated in Mirza Koochak Khan's movement in Northern Iran.

In 1953 Iran's elected prime minister Mohammad Mosaddeq, was removed from power in a complex plot orchestrated by British and US intelligence agencies (dubbed "Operation Ajax"). The operation was conducted following the Prime-Minister's nationalization of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. It reinstated the Iranian monarchy against the people's will, handing power back to former Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Following Mosaddeq's fall, Pahlavi grew increasingly dictatorial. With strong support from the USA and the UK, the Shah further modernized Iranian industry but crushed civil liberties. His autocratic rule, under which systematic torture and other human rights violations were known to occur, led to the Iranian revolution and overthrow of his regime in 1979. After more than a year of political struggle between a variety of different groups, an Islamic republic was established under the Ayatollah Khomeini by a revolution.

The new theocratic political system instituted some conservative Islamic reforms and engaged in an anti-Western course. In particular Iran distanced itself from the United States due to the American involvement in the 1953 coup, which supplanted an elected government with the Shah's repressive regime. It also declared its refusal to recognize the existence of Israel as a state. The new government inspired various groups considered by a large part of the Western World to be fundamentalist.

In 1980 Iran was attacked by neighbouring Iraq and the destructive Iran-Iraq War continued until 1988. The struggle between reformists and conservatives over the future of the country continues today through electoral politics and was a central Western focus in the 2005 Elections where Conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad triumphed.

Government and Politics

Iran is a constitutional Islamic Republic, whose political system is laid out in the 1979 constitution called Qanun-e Asasi. Iran's makeup has several intricately connected governing bodies, some of which are democratically elected and some of which operate by co-opting people based on their religious inclinations. The concept of velayat-e faqih (guardianship of the jurist) plays an influential role in the governmental structure. It is vital to understanding some of the inspiration, basis, and institutions such as the position of the Supreme Leader and the Council of Guardians.

See also: Foreign relations of Iran, U.S.-Iran relations, Iran-Israel relations

The Supreme Leader

According to Iran's Constitution, the Supreme Leader of Iran is responsible for the delineation and supervision of "the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran." In the absence of a single leader, a council of religious leaders is appointed. The Supreme Leader is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and controls the Islamic Republic's intelligence and security operations; he alone can declare war. He has the power to appoint and dismiss the leaders of the judiciary, the state radio and television networks, and the supreme commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He also appoints six of the twelve members of the Council of Guardians. He, or the council of religious leaders, are elected by the Assembly of Experts, on the basis of their qualifications and the high popular esteem in which they are held.

The President

After the office of Leadership, the President of Iran is the highest official in the country. His is the responsibility for implementing the Constitution and acting as the head of the executive, except in matters directly concerned with (the office of) the Leadership. According to the law, all presidential candidates must be approved by the Council of Guardians prior to running, after which he is elected by universal suffrage to a 4-year term by an absolute majority of votes. After his election, the president appoints and supervises the Council of Ministers (the cabinet), coordinates government decisions, and selects government policies to be placed before the parliament. Eight vice presidents serve under the president, as well as a cabinet of 21 ministers. The Council of Ministers must be confirmed by Parliament. Unlike many other states, the executive branch in Iran does not control the armed forces.

The Parliament

The unicameral Iranian parliament, the Islamic Consultative Assembly or "Majles-e Shura-ye Eslami", consists of 290 members elected to a 4-year term. The members are elected by direct and secret ballot. It drafts legislation, ratifies international treaties, and approves the country's budget. All legislation from the assembly must be reviewed by the Council of Guardians. Candidates for a seat in the Majles require approval by the Council of Guardians.

The Assembly of Experts

The Assembly of Experts, which meets for one week every year, consists of 86 "virtuous and learned" clerics elected by the public to eight-year terms. Like presidential and parliamentary elections, the Council of Guardians determines eligibility to run for a seat in this assembly.

Members of the Assembly of Experts in turn elect the Supreme Leader. The assembly has never been known to challenge any of the Supreme Leader's decisions, although according to the Iranian constitution it has the authority to remove the supreme leader from power at any time.

The Council of Guardians

Twelve jurists comprise the Council of Guardians, six of whom are appointed by the Supreme Leader. The head of the judiciary recommends the remaining six, which are officially appointed by Parliament.

The Council of Guardians is vested with the authority to interpret the constitution and determines if the laws passed by Parliament are in line with sharia (Islamic law). Hence the council can exercise veto power over Parliament. If a law passed by Parliament is deemed incompatible with the constitution or sharia, it is referred back to Parliament for revision.

The Expediency Council

Created by Ayatollah Khomeini in 1988, the Expediency Council has the authority to mediate disputes between Parliament and the Council of Guardians. Presently, according to the constitution, the Expediency Council serves as an advisory body to the Supreme Leader, making it one of the most powerful governing bodies in the country, at least in name.

The council also examines presidential and parliamentary candidates to determine their fitness to run for a seat.

The Judiciary

The head of the judiciary is appointed by the Supreme Leader, who in turn appoints the head of the Supreme Court and the chief public prosecutor.

Public courts deal with civil and criminal cases. "Revolutionary" courts try certain categories of offenses, including crimes against national security, narcotics smuggling, and acts that undermine the Islamic Republic. Decisions rendered in revolutionary courts are final and cannot be appealed.

The Special Clerical Court handles crimes allegedly committed by clerics, although it has also taken on cases involving lay people. The rulings of the Special Clerical Court, which functions independently of the regular judicial framework and is accountable only to the Supreme Leader, are also final and cannot be appealed.

Provinces

Iran consists of 30 provinces:

Tehran Qom Markazi Qazvin Gilan Ardabil Zanjan East Azarbaijan West Azarbaijan Kurdistan Hamadan Kermanshah Ilam Lorestan Khuzestan

Chahar Mahaal and Bakhtiari Kohkiluyeh and Buyer Ahmad Bushehr Fars Hormozgan Sistan and Baluchistan Kerman Yazd Esfahan Semnan Mazandaran Golestan North Khorasan Razavi Khorasan South Khorasan

Provinces are governed from a local center, mostly the largest local city. Provincial authority is headed by a governor (استاندار: ostāndār), who is installed by the Minister of Interior subject to approval of the cabinet.

Until 2004 there were 28 provinces. A law passed that year split the province of Khorasan into three new provinces: North Khorasan, Razavi Khorasan, and South Khorasan.

Geography

Iran borders Azerbaijan (length of border: 432 km / 268 mi ) and Armenia (35 km / 22mi) to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan (992 km / 616 mi) to the northeast, Pakistan (909 km / 565 mi) and Afghanistan (936 km / 582 mi) to the east, Turkey (499 km / 310 mi) and Iraq (1,458 km / 906 mi) to the west, and finally the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the south. Iran's total land mass is 1,648,000 km² / ≈636,300 mi² (Land: 1,636,000 km² / ≈631,663 mi², Water: 12,000 km² / ≈4,633 mi²). That is approximately the land mass of France, Germany, Poland and Japan combined.

Iran's landscape is dominated by rugged mountain ranges that separate various basins or plateaus from one another. The populous western part is the most mountainous, with ranges such as the Zagros and Alborz Mountains, the latter of which also contains Iran's highest point, the Damavand at 5,671 m (18,606 ft). The eastern half consists mostly of uninhabited desert basins like the saline Dasht-e Kavir, with the occasional salt lake.

The only large plains are found along the coast of the Caspian Sea and at the northern end of the Persian Gulf, where Iran borders on the mouth of the Arvand river (Shatt al-Arab). Smaller, discontinuous plains are found along the remaining coast of the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman. The Iranian climate is mostly arid or semiarid, though subtropical along the Caspian coast. Iran is considered to be one of the fifteen states that comprise the so-called "Cradle of Humanity".

Climate

Iran's varied landscape produces several different climates. On the northern edge of the country (the Caspian coastal plain) the temperatures nearly fall below freezing and remain humid for the rest of the year. Summer temperatures rarely exceed 29°C (84°F). Annual precipitation is 680 mm (26 in) in the eastern part of the plain and more than 1700 mm (75 in) in the western side of the plain. At higher elevations to the west, settlements in the Zagros mountains basins experience lower temperatures. These areas have severe winters, with average daily temperatures below freezing and have heavy snowfall. The eastern and central basins are arid. They get less than 200 mm (8 in) of rain and have occasional desert. The average summer temperatures exceed 38°C (100°F). The coastal plains of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman in southern Iran have mild winters and experience very humid and hot summers. The Annual precipitation ranges from 135 mm to 355 mm (6 to 14 in).

Economy

Iran's economy is a mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil and other large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures. The current administration has continued to follow the market reform plans of the previous one and has indicated that it will pursue diversification of Iran's oil-reliant economy. The Iranian government is attempting to diversify by investing revenues in other areas, including, car manufacturing, aerospace industries, consumer electronics, petrochemicals and nuclear energy including its controversial fuel cycle. Iran is also hoping to attract billions of dollars worth of foreign investment by creating a more favorable investment climate, such as reduced restrictions and duties on imports and the creation of free-trade zones like in Chabahar and the Island of Kish.

Iran's major commercial partners are France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, China, Japan and South Korea. Modern Iran has a solid middle class and a growing economy. Nevertheless it continues to be plagued with relatively high inflation rates in its economy and unemployment, especially among its younger generation.

Before the Revolution with the Shah, the United States was Iran's foremost economic and military partner; thus participating greatly in the rapid modernization of its infrastructure and industry, with over thirty thousand American expatriates residing at its peak in the country, in a technical, consulting or teaching capacity. A posteriori, some western analysts say arguably that the transformation was too rapid may be, thus fueling the unrest and discontent among an important part of the population in the country; which culminated with the Revolution itself in 1979.

After 1979, the United States lost its economic and diplomatic ties with Iran, after its Embassy in Tehran was stormed by an angry mob of students and its personnel held hostage for 444 days. In 1996, with the support of the Congress, U.S. President Bill Clinton signed into law the "Iran and Libya Sanctions Act" in order to prohibit American companies from investing and doing business with Iran, mainly with its strategic oil sector and also for some spare parts like for its aviation. As of today, the act is still in place with minor exceptions like for the import in the U.S. of luxury items from Iran like caviar or Persian rugs.

Iran has a large Diaspora, mainly in North America, Western Europe and South America. It is estimated that between two to three million people have emigrated after the Iranian Revolution of 1979. They are mostly composed of educated, first and second generation Iranians, who have now integrated their new homeland countries. For example in Los Angeles, California (dubbed also Tehrangeles by its fans), thanks to the American free enterprise system, Iranians within a relatively short period of time have invested all the avenues of the American society; going from taxi drivers to medical doctors and by passing by restaurant owners to some of the CEO's of the Fortune 500.

According to various open sources, their combined private assets is estimated at between 600 billion and one trillion U.S. dollars, in great part in the hand of the industrialist and entrepreneurial generation of the 60's and 70's and some of the so-called "two hundred most affluent Iranian families" that fled Iran after the Revolution in the 80's.

Since the mid 90's, Iran has increasingly engaged in economic cooperation with other developing countries in what is called today "south-south integration" including Syria, India, Cuba, Venezuela, South Africa and some other African countries. Iran is also expanding its trade ties with Turkey and Pakistan and shares with its partners the common vision of the creation of a single economic market in West and Central Asia , much like the European Union did during the 90's.

Since 2003, Iran has increasingly invested in the economy and reconstruction of its neighboring countries like Iraq and Afghanistan after the war. In Dubai, UAE, it is estimated that Iranians expatriates are handling over 20% of its domestic economy with an equal proportion of its population. Money is invested in the local real estate market and import-export businesses geared towards providing Iran and other countries with many demanded consumer goods.

Iran is OPEC's second largest oil producer and holds 10% of the world's proven oil reserves. It also has the world's second largest natural gas reserves (after Russia). The strong oil market in 1996 helped ease financial pressures on Iran and allowed for Tehran's timely debt service payments. Iran's financial situation tightened in 1997 because of lower oil prices. The subsequent rise in oil prices in 1999/2000 afforded Iran fiscal breathing room. Iranian budget deficits have been a chronic problem, in part due to large-scale state subsidies– totaling some $7.25 billion per year–including foodstuffs and especially gasoline.

On March 20, 2006, Iran plans to participate in a new International Oil Bourse, trading oil priced as Petroeuros, rather than Petrodollars, as oil is traded in all other markets (as of 2005). This attempt to rebalance trading relationships in the world economy may trigger a series of far reaching consequences. A few observers, especially among peak oil production theorists who believe that an oil crisis is imminent, argue that there is a potential for a resource war with the United States of America over the flow of both dollars and oil. Others, including military leaders and peak oil theorists who believe that a crisis is further off, argue that the results of war game scenarios cast doubt on the argument that a war is the most likely result of the Oil Bourse.

The services sector has seen the greatest long-term growth in terms of its share of GDP, but the sector remains volatile. State investment has boosted agriculture, however, with the liberalization of production and the improvement of packaging and marketing helping to develop new export markets. Large-scale irrigation schemes, together with the wider production of export-based agricultural items such as dates, flowers and pistachios, produced the fastest economic growth of any sector in Iran over much of the 1990s, although successive years of severe drought in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 have held back output growth substantially. Agriculture remains one of the largest employers, accounting for 22% of all jobs according to the 1991 census. Since the early 90's Iran has been developing a new biotechnology sector and is striving with its long existing pharmaceuticals industry.

Progressively, Iran has been opening to the global competition and has been liberalizating its public sector. Only recently, Iran has obtained the status of observer at the WTO (World Trade Organization), eventhough it's leaders were associated with the deliberations of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland for many years now. Iran has also taken steps to open its telecommunication and financial sectors to foreign investments. Iran has been expanding its access to the Internet network and has since become the world's fourth largest country of bloggers.

Law

Consumption of alcohol, as well as selling it, are both illegal for any age and punishable by law. See Legal drinking age for more details.

Demographics

Ethnic groups

The majority of Iran's population speak one of the Iranian languages, though Persian is the official language. While the number, percentage, and definition of the different Iranian peoples is disputed, the major ethnic groups and minorities in Iran include the Persians (51%), Azeris (24%), Gilaki and Mazandarani (8%), Kurds (7%), Arabs (3%), Baluchi (2%), Lurs (2%), Turkmen people (2%), Qashqai, Armenians, Georgians, Persian Jews, Assyrians and others (1 %). These percentages however are only estimates. There are no official statistics on ethnicity numbers or percentages in Iran.

Iran's population size increased dramatically during the latter half of the 20th century to reach 70 million in 2006, although in recent years Iran appears to have taken control of its high population growth rate and many studies show that Iran's population growth rate will continue to decline until it will reach replacement level and stabilize by the year 2040. Still, Iran's population density is half of France, with only 40 persons per square kilometer. Iran hosts more than one million foreign refugees (mainly from Afghanistan with some from Iraq), one of the largest figures on earth, and official government policy and social factors aim towards repatriation.

Religion

Most Iranians are Muslims; 89% belong to the Shi'a branch of Islam, the official state religion, and about 9% belong to the Sunni branch (many of whom are Kurds), which predominates in most Muslim countries. The remainder consists of non-Muslim religious minorities, mainly Bahá'ís, Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians.

The latter three minority religions are officially recognized and have reserved seats in the Majlis (Parliament), and are officially protected religions. However, they are occasionally harrassed nonetheless. In contrast, the Bahá'í Faith, the largest religious minority in Iran, is not officially recognized, and has been persecuted during its existence in Iran. Since the 1979 revolution the persecution has increased with e.g. executions and the denial of access to higher education. See Persecution of Bahá'ís and Religious minorities in Iran for more information.

Numerous indications reveal that a considerable proportion of contemporary Iranians profess to religious views only nominally or as a tradition, despite the state's practically enforced ideology of assimilating state and religion on all levels.

Major cities

Iran's eight largest cities are (non-metropolitan estimates):

See also: List of cities in Iran

Culture

Like all ancient civilizations, culture constitutes the focal point and heart of Iranian civilization. The art, music, architecture, poetry, philosophy, traditions, and ideology of Iran have made it a continuously important nation in the global community. In fact, many Iranians believe their culture to be the one and only reason why their civilization has continuously survived thousands of years of plethoric calamities.

Another major topic in the culture of Iran is Persian literature. The Persian language being used for over 2500 years has left distinct marks in the history of the written word. With world famous poets, such as Hafez and Ferdowsi, Iranian poetry has received world wide attention for its beautiful poems and songs.

The Iranian new year (Norouz) is celebrated on March 21, which is the first day of the month of Farvardin and coincidentally the first day of spring. Norouz has been nominated as one of the "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO in 2004.

The quest for Social justice and equity is an important Iranian cultural trait. Respect for the elderly and hospitality for the foreigners are also integral parts of the Iranian savoir-vivre.

Persian cuisine has gained the reputation throughout the world as one of richest, healthiest and finest, along with the French, Italian and Chinese.

Miscellaneous topics

Template:Iran-related topics

Notes and references

• Ehsan Yarshater (2006-01-14). "When Persia became Iran" (HTML). The Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publishyear= ignored (help)

• "Iran - The Constitution" (HTML). Iran: A Country Study. 2005-12-15.

• "The Velayat-e Faqih and Democracy" (HTML). 2005-12-15. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publishyear= ignored (help)

• "CIA - The World Factbook -- Iran" (HTML). The World Factbook. United States Central Intelligence Agency. 2006-01-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publishyear= ignored (help)
  • (Note: Different claims include higher numbers for Persian-speaking groups and respectively lower numbers for Turkic-speaking groups or vice versa. Some people in the first group claim that the CIA statistics are based on guesses made around 1964, while the CIA claims that their numbers are based on information from November 2005.)

• "IDB Summary Demographic Data for Iran". U.S. Census Bureau International Database. U.S. Census Bureau. 2006-01-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publishyear= ignored (help)

• Template:Journal reference

• "Iran's population growth rate falls to 1.5 percent: UNFP". 2 Aug 2004. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |org= ignored (help)

• Harrison, Frances (1 Nov 2005). "Iran's Afghan refugees feel pressure to leave". {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |org= ignored (help)

• "Extension of Afghan repatriation agreement under possible threat". 27 Jul 2005. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |org= ignored (help)

• "Iran - Refugees" (HTML). Iran: A Country Study. 2006-01-09.

• "Iran: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population" (HTML). World Gazetteer. World Gazetteer. 2006-01-14. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |publishyear= ignored (help)

Additional references and bibliography can be found in the more detailed articles linked to in this article.

External links

Official Government Links

The following websites belong to the various branches of government, or are directly operated by the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

• Official site of the Supreme Leader, (Qom office)
• Presidency of the Islamic Republic of Iran - Official website.
• The Council of Guardians, Official website.
• The Majlis, Iran's parliament. (2).
• The Judiciary of The Islamic Republic of Iran
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance
• Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces
• Secretariat of The High Council of Iran Free Trade Industrial Zones
• Secretariat of The High Council of The Cultural Revolution
• Official Spokesman of the Islamic Republic of Iran
• Islamic Republic of Iran Atomic Energy Organization
• Islamic Republic of Iran Cultural Heritage Organization
• Islamic Republic of Iran Red Crescent Society
• Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, official website.
• Bonyad e Shahid Foundation
• Bonyad e Mostazafeen Foundation

Other links

• Template:Wikitravel
• Iran Travel and Tourism Guide
• Slideshows: Iran, from Damavand to Ispahan
• Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies (CAIS)
• CIA World Factbook - Iran
• US State Department - Iran includes Background Notes, Country Study and major reports
• Open Directory Project - Iran directory category
• Iran Oil and Gas
• Iran Military Forum
• Freedom of Expression in Iran - IFEX
• List of alleged weapons
• The Dismal Reality of Ahlus Sunnah in Iran
• Iran, The Persian Gulf - Iran in the Persian Gulf
• List of Iranian High Commissions, embassies and consulates around the world.
• Farhangsara.com - an independently-produced Iran encyclopedia
• Death to Theocracy Advocates military action against Iran and support for Iran's student rebels

Iran News Sites

• Country Briefings: Iran Economist.com country briefings and news articles.
• Directory of Iranian online newspapers Gooya.com
• Iran News HavenWorks.com news portal on Iran.
• Governing Iran PBS NewsHour special on Iranian politics.
• Yahoo! News Full Coverage Iran Yahoo headline links

Iran News Articles

• BBC News - Iran: Who holds the power?

Template:Southwest Asia

• Persian Gulf states
• Iran
• Near Eastern countries
• Middle Eastern countries
• Southwest Asian countries