Iran

Islamic Republic of Iran جمهوری اسلامی ايران Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Īrān
Flag Coat of arms of Iran Coat of arms
Motto: Persian: Esteqlāl, āzādī, jomhūrī-ye eslāmī (English: "Independence, freedom, (the) Islamic Republic")
Anthem: Sorūd-e Mellī-e Īrān
Capital and largest city	Tehran
Official languages	Persian
Government	Islamic republic
Revolution
• Water (%)	0.7%
Population
• 2005 estimate	68,467,413 (18th)
• 1996 census	60,055,488
GDP (PPP)	2005 estimate
• Total	$560,348,000,000 (19th)
• Per capita	$8,065 (77th)
HDI (2006)	0.736 high (99th)
Currency	Rial (ريال) (IRR)
Time zone	UTC+3.30
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3.30 (not observed)
Calling code	98
ISO 3166 code	IR
Internet TLD	.ir

The Islamic Republic of Iran (Persian: جمهوری اسلامی ايران Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Īrān) or simply Iran (ايران Īrān) – officially Persia until 1935, which remains in common use – is a Middle Eastern country located in southwestern Asia. Northern Iran is also a part of the Caucasus. It borders Armenia, Republic of 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 borders the Persian Gulf across which lie Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. After the second phase of the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the Ayatollah Khomeini helped transform Iran into a constitutional theocratic republic with democratic elements. Shi'a Islam is the official state religion.

Throughout history, Iran has been of great geostrategic importance due to its position between the Middle East, Caucasia, Central Asia, and the Persian Gulf and its proximity to Eastern Europe and Southern Asia. Iran is a member and co-founder of OPEC and is important in international politics due to its large supply of petroleum.

Name

Main article: Iran naming dispute

In the Achaemenid period Persian people called their country Parsa, and in the Sassanian period, they referred to their country as Iran, which means Land of the Aryans. The Greeks called the country Persis; this was passed into Latin as Persia, which is the name widely used in the West.

On March 21 1935 Reza Shah Pahlavi issued a decree asking foreign delegates to use the term Iran in formal correspondence. After Persian scholars protested, Mohammad Reza Shah in 1959 announced that both Persia and Iran could be used interchangeably.

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 led to the establishment of a theocratic Islamic Republic and the political title was changed to the Islamic Republic of Iran. In modern times, a citizen or thing of Iran is called Iranian; however, Persia and Persian are still commonly used.

History

Main article: History of Iran

The 2500 year old ruins of Persepolis

9th-11th century Persia was at the center of the Golden Age of Islam

Written history in Persia (Iran) begins with the Proto-Elamite civilization around 3200 BCE, and continues with the arrival of the Aryans and the establishment of the Median dynasty. The Achaemenids followed by building the Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great in 546 BCE, forming the world’s first super-power. Alexander the Great conquered Persia in 331 BCE, soon only to be succeeded by the Parthian and Sassanid dynasties, which followed the Achaemenids as Persia's greatest pre-Islamic empires.

The Middle Ages saw the unfolding of many critical events such as the Islamic Conquest of Iran, the destruction of Persia under the Mongol invasion beginning in 1220, the conquest of Tamerlane, and the establishment of Iran's first Shi'a Islamic state under the Safavid dynasty in 1501. From then on Persia increasingly became the arena for rival colonial powers such as Imperial Russia and the United Kingdom. With the arrival of modernization in the late 19th century, Iranians longed for a change and thus the Persian Constitutional Revolution of 1905/1911 followed.

Following the Constitutional Revolution, in 1921, Reza Shah Pahlavi staged a coup against the Qajar dynasty. A modernizer, Reza Shah made plans to develop industry, build railroads, and establish a national education system. However, his autocratic rule created discontent among many Iranians. During World War II, the Shah was forced to abdicate by the Allies in favor of his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, whom the Allies hoped would be more supportive of them.

In 1953, Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh, was removed from power in a plot orchestrated by British and U.S. intelligence agencies to protect their oil interests (dubbed "Operation Ajax"). The operation was conducted following the Prime Minister's nationalization of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. It reinstated the Iranian monarchy, handing power back to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Following Dr. Mossadegh's fall, the Shah's rule became increasingly dictatorial, particularly in the late 1970s. With strong support from the USA and the UK, the Shah further modernized Iranian industry but crushed the opposition Shia clergy. Ayatollah Khomeini gained much popularity between Iranians which led to the Iranian revolution in 1979. The Islamic republic was soon established after the revolution led by Khomeini.

Poltics

Main article: Politics of Iran

The Iranian government defines itself as a constitutional Islamic Republic, whose political system is laid out in the 1979 constitution called Qanun-e Asasi (literally 'Fundamental Law'). Iran's makeup has several intricately connected governing bodies, most of which are appointed. Iran is the world's first modern Islamic theocracy and the current government imparts its ideology on the people with coercion and force.

The new theocratic political system instituted strict conservative Islamic laws and introduced an unprecedented level of direct clerical rule. Thousands of people affiliated with the former regime were executed. The Islamic regime also engaged in an anti-Western course due to Western support of the Shah. In particular Iranian-American relations were severely strained after the Iranian seizure of U.S. embassy personnel in 1979, Iran's subsequent attempts to export its revolution, and its support of anti-Western militant groups such as Lebanese Hezbollah.

In 1980, Iran was attacked by neighbouring Iraq and the destructive Iran-Iraq War commenced, continuing until 1988. The struggle between the reformists and conservatives over the future of the country continues today through electoral politics and was a central Western focus in the 2005 elections, which resulted in the election of conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iran has recently announced that (despite concerns from regional neighbors) it has now succeeded in processing uranium. It states that it is for "energy production" purposes, and not the pursuit of nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, the actions have heightened tensions in the region further.

The Head of State

Shahyad Tower renamed to Azadi Tower ("Tower of Freedom") after the revolution.

According to the Constitution, the Supreme Leader of Iran is responsible for the delineation and supervision of "the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran" (see also Guardianship of the jurists). The Supreme Leader is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and controls the Islamic Republic's military intelligence and security operations; he alone can declare war. He has the power to appoint and dismiss the head of the judiciary, the state radio and television networks, and the commander of the police and military forces. He also appoints six of the twelve members of the Council of Guardians.

He is elected by the Assembly of Experts (a congress-like body whose members are elected by public vote to 8 year terms), on the basis of his qualifications and the high popular esteem in which they are held. Based on the constitution the Assembly of Experts is also responsible for supervising the Supreme Leader to perform his legal duties and has the power to dismiss and replace the Supreme Leader at any time (see elective monarchy).

The Executive

According to article 113 of the Constitution "Next to the Supreme Leader, the President shall be the highest official State authority, who is responsible for the implementation of the Constitution and, as the Chief Executive, for the exercise of the executive powers, with the exception of those matters that directly relate to the Supreme Leader". All presidential candidates must be approved by the Council of Guardians prior to running, after which the President is elected by universal suffrage to a four-year term by an absolute majority of votes. After 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 twenty-one 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. As a part of the cabinet, the President appoints the Ministers of Intelligence and Defence. Although not required by law, it has been customary practice for Iranian presidents to acquire the explicit approval of the Supreme Leader for these two ministers before announcing them to the Parliament for a vote of confidence.

The Parliament

File:Jalaseh Majles.jpg

Parliament of The Islamic Republic of Iran.

The legislature of Iran is the unicameral Majles-e Shura-ye Eslami (Islamic Consultative Assembly), comprising 290 members elected for four-year terms. The Majlis drafts legislation, ratifies international treaties, and approves the national budget. All Majlis candidates and all legislation from the assembly must be approved by the Council of Guardians.

The Assembly of Experts

The Assembly of Experts, which meets for one week every year, consists of eighty-six "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

The Council of Guardians comprises twelve jurists including six appointed by the Supreme Leader. The head of the judiciary recommends the remaining six, who 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. In a controversial exercise of its authority, the Council has drawn upon a narrow interpretation of the Iranian constitution to veto parliamentary candidates.

The Expediency Council

The Expediency Council has the authority to mediate disputes between Parliament and the Council of Guardians, and serves as an advisory body to the Supreme Leader, making it one of the most powerful governing bodies in the country.

The Judiciary

Main article: Judicial system of Iran

The Supreme Leader appoints the head of the Judiciary, 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. 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.

City and Village Councils

Main article: City and Village Councils of Iran

Local councils are elected by public vote in all cities and villages throughout Iran to 4-year terms. According to article 7 of the Iranian Constitution, these local councils together with the Parliament are "decision-making and administrative organs of the State". This section of the constitution was not implemented until 1999 when the first local council elections were held across the country. Councils have many different responsibilities including electing mayors, supervising the activities of municipalities; study of social, cultural, educational, health, economic, and welfare requirements of their constituencies; the planning and coordination of national participation in the implementation of social, economic, constructive, cultural, educational and other welfare affairs.

Provinces

Main article: Provinces of Iran

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

The islands of Iran are not shown in this picture. They belong to the province of Hormozgan (# 20 on the map).

Geography

Main article: Geography of Iran

Map of Iran

Iran borders Azerbaijan (length of border: 432 km / 268 mi) and Armenia (35 km / 22 mi) 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), approximately the same as Alaska.

Mount Damavand is Iran's tallest mountain.

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 Caucasus, Zagros and Alborz Mountains, the latter of which also contains Iran's highest point, the Damavand at 5,604 metres (18,386 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 one of the fifteen states that comprise the "Cradle of Humanity".

Climate

File:2hezars.jpg

Rural houses surrounded by trees in Mazandaran's green forests.

Iran's 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 millimetres (26 in) in the eastern part of the plain and more than 1,700 millimetres (75 in) in the western side of the plain. To the west, settlements in the Zagros Mountains basin 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 millimetres (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, experience very humid, and hot summers. The annual precipitation ranges from 135 to 355 millimetres (6 to 14 in).

Economy

Main article: Economy of Iran

File:1000tomani.jpg

The Rial is Iran's official currency.

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 technology. 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. Modern Iran has a solid middle class and a growing economy but continues to be plagued with high inflation and unemployment.

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.

The towering Alborz mountains in Tehran rising above modern high rises of the Elahiyeh district.

Iran is OPEC's second largest oil producer, as it exports between four and five million barrels of oil per day; moreover, it holds 10% of the world's confirmed oil reserves. Iran 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.

File:Meydoon sadeghiyeh.jpg

A busy commercial street in Tehran.

State investment has boosted agriculture 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. Even though a series of droughts has held back output growth substantially, agriculture remains one of the largest employers. Iran has also developed a biotechnology, nanotechnology, and pharmaceuticals industry. When it comes to energy, it relies currently on standard non-nuclear methods (haveing previously been unable to develop nuclear power on its own). However, as of March 11, Uranium refinement- the last major hurdle to nuclear power- was revealed to have taken place in Iran. This makes it one of the few nations that can rely on nuclear energy.

Iran's major commercial partners are France, Germany, Italy, Russia, China, Japan and South Korea. Since the late 1990's, Iran has increased its economic cooperation with other developing countries, including Syria, India, Cuba, Venezuela and South Africa. Iran is also expanding its trade ties with Turkey and Pakistan and shares with its partners the common goal for the creation of a single economic market in West and Central Asia.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Iran

Ethnic groups

File:Iran peoples.jpg

Ethnic groups in Iran

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, Assyrians, Circassians, Tats, and others (1%). The literacy rate in Iran is above 80% and closer to 100% for its younger population.

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 2050 (100 million). Iran's population density is forty persons per square kilometer. Iran hosts one of the largest refugee populations in the world, with more than one million refugees, mostly from Afghanistan and Iraq. Official government policy and social factors aim towards repatriation.

The Iranian diaspora is estimated at over three million people who emigrated to North America, Western Europe, and South America, mostly after the Iranian revolution.

The ethnic and religious diversity of the population of Iran

Major Languages

The number of native speakers of the Persian language in Iran is estimated at around 40 million. However, the spread of broadcast media, central education system, and migration to larger cities means that most Iranians speak and understand Persian. The main regional languages include Azeri (16.5 million), Kurdish (6.5 million), Luri (1.5 million), Turkmen (1.5 million), Arabic (0.7 million) and Bakhtiari (0.5 million). Most speakers of these other languages are fluent in Persian, as Persian is the official language of the country.

Religion

Most Iranians are Muslims; 90% 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). The remainder consists of non-Muslim religious minorities, mainly Bahá'ís, Mandeans, Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians.

The latter three minority religions are officially recognized and protected, and have reserved seats in the Majles (Parliament). 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 executions and the denial of access to higher education. More recent persecution towards Bahá'ís has led to the United Nations Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights stating on March 20, 2006 that "this latest development indicates that the situation with regard to religious minorities in Iran is, in fact, deteriorating."

Major cities

The population of the eight largest cities (2006, unless otherwise noted) are as follows (non-metropolitan estimates):

• Tehran: 7,160,094
  Tehran: 7,160,094
• 
  Mashad: 2,837,734
• 
  Isfahan: 1,573,378
• 
  Tabriz: 1,523,085
• Karaj: 1,460,961
  Karaj: 1,460,961
• 
  Shiraz: 1,279,140
• Qom: 1,046,578
  Qom: 1,046,578
• Ahvaz: 841,145
  Ahvaz: 841,145

Culture

Main article: Culture of Iran

File:Mehmooni2.jpg

Farhang ("culture") has always been the focal point of Iranian civilization. Most Iranians consider themselves the proud inheritors and guardians of an ancient and sophisticated culture.

Iran has a long history of art, music, architecture, poetry, philosophy, traditions, and ideology. Many Iranians believe their culture to be the one and only reason why their civilization has continuously survived thousands of years of turmoil.

که ایران بهشت است یا بوستان
همی بوی مشک آید از دوستان

"Whether one thinks of Iran as Eden or Garden,
The smell of musk abounds there from friend and companion."
--Firdawsi

همه عالم تن است و ایران دل
نیست گوینده زین قیاس خجل

"Iran is The Heart and all the universe The Body,
Of this claim, the poet feels no regret or humility."
--Nizami

Persian literature is also highly regarded by both native Persians and foreign scholars. The Persian language being used for over 2,500 years has left distinct marks in the history of the written word. Iranian poetry has received world-wide attention for beautiful poems and songs because of poets like Hafez, Rumi, Omar Khayyam, and Ferdowsi.

With 300 international awards in the past twenty-five years, films from Iran continue to be celebrated worldwide. Perhaps the best-known director is Abbas Kiarostami. All media in Iran are controlled directly or indirectly by the state and must be approved by the Ministry of Islamic Guidance. This includes the Internet, which has become an expanding means to accessing information and self-expression among the younger population. Iran is now the world's fourth largest country of bloggers.

The quest for social justice and equity is an important Iranian cultural trait. Respect for the elderly and hospitality for foreigners are also an integral part of Iranian etiquette.

The Iranian New Year (Norouz) is celebrated on March 21, the first day of spring. Norouz was nominated as one of UNESCO's Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2004.

In her book, New Food of Life, Najmieh Batmanglij writes that "Iranian food has much in common with the other cuisines of the Middle East, but is often considered to be the most sophisticated and imaginative of them all, as colorful and complex as a Persian carpet."

External links

Official links

• Template:Wikitravel
• Template:En icon Official website of the Supreme Leader of Iran
• Template:En icon Official website of the President of Iran
• Template:Fa icon Official website of the Council of Guardians of Iran
• Template:Fa icon Official website of the Majlis (Legislature) of Iran
• Template:En icon Official website of the Judiciary of Iran
• Template:En icon Official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Template:En icon Official website of the Spokesman of the Government of Iran
• Template:En icon Official website of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran
• Template:En icon Official website of the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization
• Template:Fa icon Official website of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting

Other links

• Template:En icon The Constitution of Iran (translated) (Iranologyfo.com)
• Template:En icon Slideshow: Iran, from Damavand to Ispahan (Round Planet.com)
• Template:En icon Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies (CAIS)
• Template:En icon CIA World Factbook - Iran
• Template:En icon Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports: Iran
• Template:En icon U.S. State Department - Iran including Background Notes, Country Study and major reports
• Template:En icon Open Directory Project - Iran directory category
• Template:En icon Center for Nonproliferation Studies at Monterey Institute of International Studies - Iranian weapons capabilities
• Template:Fa icon Farhangsara.com - an independently-produced Iranian encyclopedia

Iran News Sites

• News from Iran Blog Channel 4 News.
• 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