Iran

Islamic Republic of Iran جمهوری اسلامی ايران Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Īrān
Flag 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 (74th)
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

Iran (Template:PerB, Īrān, also known in the outside world as Persia), officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (Template:PerB transliteration: Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Īrān), is a Middle Eastern country located in Western Asia. Iran 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 borders the Persian Gulf, across which lie Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Shi'a Islam is the official state religion.

Throughout its history, Iran has been of great geostrategic importance due to its central location in Eurasia. Iran is a member and co-founder of the United Nations, the OIC, and OPEC. Iran is also very important in international politics on account of its large supply of petroleum and other resources.

Name

Main article: Iran naming dispute

In antiquity, the names Ariana and Persis were used to describe the region, as exhibited on this world map by Eratosthenes (c. 200 BC).

In the Achaemenid period, the Persian people called their country Pārsa, the Old Persian name for Cyrus the Great's clan. In the Sassanid period, they called it Iran, meaning "Land of the Aryans". The Greeks called the country Persis; this passed into Latin as Persia, which became the name widely used in the West until recently.

In the twentieth century, a dispute arose over whether Iran or Persia is the correct name for the country. On 21 March 1935, the ruler of the country, Reza Shah Pahlavi, issued a decree asking foreign delegates to use the term Iran in formal correspondence. After some scholars protested, his succesor, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, announced in 1959 that both Persia and Iran were acceptable, and could be used interchangeably. The 1979 Revolution led to the establishment of the present day theocracy that is officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran, but the noun Persia and the adjective Persian are still commonly used.

History

Main article: History of Iran

File:Parsa7.jpg

The 2500 year old ruins of Persepolis.

9th–11th century Persia was the heart of the Islamic Golden Age.

Iran has been inhabited by human beings since pre-historic times and recent discoveries have begun to shed light upon what early human culture was like in Iran, centuries before the earliest civilizations arose in nearby Mesopotamia. The written history of Persia (Iran) begins around 3200 BCE with the Proto-Elamite civilization, and continues with the arrival of the Aryans and the establishment of the Median dynasty, followed in 546 BCE by the Achaemenid Empire. Alexander the Great conquered Persia in 331 BCE, only to be succeeded by the Parthian and Sassanid dynasties, which followed the Achaemenids as Persia's greatest pre-Islamic empires.

Following the Islamic conquest of Persia, the country was at the heart of the Islamic Golden Age, especially during the 9th to 11th centuries. The Middle Ages saw many critical events in the region. From 1220, Persia was invaded and destroyed by the Mongol invasion, followed later by Timur. Persia's first Shi'a Islamic state was established under the Safavid dynasty in 1501. Persia increasingly became the arena for rival colonial powers such as Imperial Russia and the British Empire.

With the rise of communism and modernization in the late 19th century, desire for change led to the Persian Constitutional Revolution of 1905–1911. In 1921, Reza Shah Pahlavi staged a coup against the Qajar dynasty. A supporter of modernization, Reza Shah planned to develop industry, build railroads, and establish a national education system, but his autocratic rule created discontent among many Iranians.

During World War II, Britain and the USSR invaded Iran from August 25 to September 17, 1941, mainly to secure Iran's oil resources and a supply corridor for themselves. The Allies of World War II forced the shah to abdicate in favor of his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who they hoped would be more supportive of them. In 1953, following the nationalization of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh attempted to convince the Shah to leave the country. The Shah refused, and formally dismissed the Prime Minister. Mossadegh also refused to leave, and when it became evident that he was going to fight, the Shah (as foreseen by the British/American "Operation Ajax") fled to Baghdad as a precautionary measure and on from there to Rome.

Massive protests broke out across the nation. Anti- and pro-monarchy protestors violently clashed in the streets, leaving almost 300 dead. The military intervened as the pro-Shah tank regiments stormed the capital and bombarded the prime minister's official residence. Mossadegh surrendered, and was arrested on August 19, 1953. Mossadegh was tried for treason, and sentenced to three years in prison.

The Shah was reinstated and power handed to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi by the U.S. and U.K., whose rule became increasingly dictatorial in the following years, particularly the late 1970s. With strong support from the US and UK, the Shah further modernized Iranian industry, but simultaneously crushed opposition from the Shia clergy and from advocates of democracy.

In the 1970s, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini gained much popularity among Iranians. Islamists, communists and liberals staged the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the Shah fled the country, after which Khomeini eventually succeded in taking power and establishing an Islamic republic. The new system established conservative Islamic laws and unprecedented levels of direct clerical rule. Past governments have criticized the West and in particular the US for support of the Shah. Relations were severely strained in 1979, after Iranian students seized US embassy personnel. Subsequently, there were attempts to export the Islamic revolution, and support anti-Western militant groups such as Lebanese Hezbollah. From 1980-1988, Iran and neighbouring Iraq engaged in the destructive Iran-Iraq War.

The struggle between reformists and conservatives continues today through electoral politics, and was a central focus in the Iranian presidential election of 2005, which resulted in the election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Since then, there has been an increase in tensions between Iran and the US, particularly with regard to Iran's nuclear program. Iran claims the right to research nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which it has signed.. It has been reported that the Bush Administration has not ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran which, if it were to occur, would be the first hostile nuclear bombing since World War II.. Other members of the UN Security Council, in particular Russia and China, oppose military action. Significantly, Iran was recently elected vice-chair on the UN Disarmament Commission. Recently, Iran announced it is researching the construction of a P2 centrifuge, which can be used to develop nuclear weapons.

Politics

Main article: [[:Politics of Iran, Judicial system of Iran]]

After the revolution, Shahyad Tower was renamed to Azadi Tower (Tower of Freedom).

The political system of the Islamic Republic is based on the 1979 Constitution called the "Qanun-e Asasi" ("Fundamental Law"). The system comprises several intricately connected governing bodies, most of which are appointed.

The Supreme Leader

The Supreme Leader of Iran is responsible for the delineation and supervision of "the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran". The Supreme Leader is Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, controls the military intelligence and security operations; and has sole power to declare war. The heads of the judiciary, state radio and television networks, the commanders of the police and military forces and six of the twelve members of the Council of Guardians are appointed by the Supreme Leader. The Assembly of Experts elects and dismisses the Supreme Leader on the basis of qualifications and popular esteem. The Assembly of Experts is responsibile for supervising the Supreme Leader in the performance of legal duties.

Executive

File:Mahm2.jpg

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The Constitution defines the President as the highest state authority after the Supreme Leader. The President is elected by universal suffrage for a term of four years. Presidential candidates must be approved by the Council of Guardians prior to running. The President is responsible for the implementation of the Constitution and for the exercise of executive powers, except for matters directly related to the Supreme Leader. The President appoints and supervises the Council of Ministers, coordinates government decisions, and selects government policies to be placed before the legislature. Eight Vice-Presidents serve under the President, as well as a cabinet of 21 ministers, who must all be approved by the legislature. Unlike many other states, the executive branch in Iran does not control the armed forces. Although the President appoints the Ministers of Intelligence and Defense, it is customary for the President to obtain explicit approval from the Supreme Leader for these two ministers before presenting them to the legislature for a vote of confidence.

Parliament (The Majles)

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.

File:Jalaseh Majles.jpg

The chamber of the The Majles: The Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Judiciary

The Supreme Leader appoints the head of the Judiciary, who in turn appoints the head of the Supreme Court and the chief public prosecutor. There are several types of courts including public courts that deal with civil and criminal cases, and "revolutionary courts" which deal with certain categories of offenses, including crimes against national security. The decisions of the 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 Special Clerical Court functions independently of the regular judicial framework and is accountable only to the Supreme Leader. The Court’s rulings are final and cannot be appealed.

Assembly of Experts

The Assembly of Experts, which meets for one week annually, comprises 86 "virtuous and learned" clerics elected by adult suffrage for eight-year terms. As with the presidential and parliamentary elections, the Council of Guardians determines candidates' eligibility. The Assembly elects the Supreme Leader and has the constitutional authority to remove the Supreme Leader from power at any time. The Assembly has never been known to challenge any of the Supreme Leader's decisions.

Council of Guardians

The Council of Guardians comprises 12 jurists including six appointed by the Supreme Leader. The head of the judiciary, who is also appointed by the Supreme Leader, recommends the remaining six, who are officially appointed by Parliament. The Council interprets the constitution and may veto Parliament. If a law is deemed incompatible with the constitution or Sharia (Islamic law) , it is referred back to Parliament for revision. In a controversial exercise of its authority, the Council has drawn upon a narrow interpretation of Iran's constitution to veto parliamentary candidates.

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.

City and Village Councils

Main article: City and Village Councils of Iran

Local councils are elected by public vote to 4-year terms in all cities and villages of Iran. According to article 7 Iran's 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; studying the social, cultural, educational, health, economic, and welfare requirements of their constituencies; planning and coordinating national participation in the implementation of social, economic, constructive, cultural, educational and other welfare affairs.

Provinces

Main article: Provinces of Iran

Iran comprises thirty ostanha (singular ostan: provinces), each governed by an appointed governor (استاندار: ostāndār). The map does not show the southern islands of Hormozgan (#20 on the map):

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

Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Kohkiluyeh and Buyer Ahmad Bushehr Fars Hormozgan Sistan and Baluchistan Kerman Yazd Isfahan Semnan Mazandaran Golestan North Khorasan Razavi Khorasan South Khorasan

Geography and climate

Main article: Geography of Iran

Mount Damavand is Iran's highest mountain.

File:2hezars.jpg

Rural houses in Mazandaran's green forests.

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 area 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.

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 contains Iran's highest point, Mount Damavand at 5,604 m (18,386 ft). The eastern part consists mostly of uninhabited desert basins like the saline Dasht-e Kavir, and some salt lakes.

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 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.

Iran's climate is mostly arid or semiarid, to subtropical along the Caspian coast. On the northern edge of the country (the Caspian coastal plain) 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 1,700 mm (75 in) in the western. To the west, settlements in the Zagros Mountains basin experience lower temperatures, severe winters, sub-freezing average daily temperatures and heavy snowfall. The eastern and central basins are arid, with less than 200 mm (8 in) of rain and have occasional desert. 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 very humid and hot summers. The annual precipitation ranges from 135 to 355 mm (6 to 14 in).

Economy

Main article: Economy of Iran

File:Iranmoney.jpg

The Rial is Iran's official currency.

File:Meydoon sadeghiyeh.jpg

A busy commercial street in Tehran.

Alborz mountains rising above the modern district of Elahiyeh.

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 continues to follow the market reform plans of the previous one and indicated that it will diversify Iran's oil-reliant economy. It is attempting to do this by investing revenues in areas like car manufacturing, aerospace industries, consumer electronics, petrochemicals and nuclear technology. Iran also hopes to attract billions of dollars of foreign investment by creating a more favorable investment climate, such as reduced restrictions and duties on imports, and 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. 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.

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 with the liberalization of production and the improvement of packaging and marketing helping to develop new export markets. Large-scale irrigation schemes, and the wider production of export-based agricultural items like 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. Iran has also developed a biotechnology, nanotechnology, and pharmaceuticals industry. For energy, it currently relies on conventional methods, but as of March 2006, uranium refinement — the last major hurdle to developing nuclear power — was revealed to have taken place.

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 of creating a single economic market in West and Central Asia.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Iran

File:Iran peoples.jpg

Ethnic diversity of Iran.

The population increased dramatically during the latter half of the 20th century to reach about 70 million by 2006. 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).

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. Iran also 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 majority of the population speaks one of the Iranian languages, including the official language, Persian. While the number, proportion, and definition of different Iranian peoples is disputed, the major ethnic groups and minorities include the Persians (51%), Azeris (24%), Gilaki and Mazandarani (8%), Kurds (7%), Arabs (3%), Baluchi (2%), Lurs (2%), Turkmens (2%), Qashqai, Armenians, Persian Jews, Georgians, Assyrians, Circassians, Tats,Pashtuns and others (1%). The number of native speakers of Persian in Iran is estimated at around 40 million. The spread of broadcast media, central education system, and migration to larger cities means that most Iranians speak and understand Persian. Iran has a literacy rate of 79.4%. 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 them are Kurds). The remainder are 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

Iran has one of the highest urban-growth rates in the world. From 1950 to 2002 the urban proportion of the population increased from 27% to 60%. The United Nations predicts that by 2030 the urban population will form 80% of the overall population. Most of the internal migrants have settled near the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Ahwaz, and Qom. Tehran is the largest city with 7,160,094 inhabitants (metropolitan: 14,000,000). More than half of the country's industry is based there. Industries include the manufacturing of cars, electronics and electrical equipment, military weaponry, textiles, sugar, cement, and chemical products. Mashhad, one of the holiest Shi'a cities, is the second largest city with a population of 2.8 million.

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

• Tehran: 11,199,214
  Tehran: 11,199,214
• 
  Mashad: 2,837,734
• 
  Isfahan: 1,573,378
• 
  Tabriz: 1,523,085
• 
  Karaj: 1,460,961
• Shiraz: 1,279,140
  Shiraz: 1,279,140
• 
  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.

Iran has a long history of art, music, architecture, poetry, philosophy, traditions, and ideology.

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 worldwide attention for beautiful poems and songs because of poets like Hafez, Rumi, Omar Khayyam, and Ferdowsi.

Mausoleum of Hafez, Shiraz.

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
• Official website of the Supreme Leader of Iran
• 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
• Official website of the Judiciary of Iran
• Official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Official website of the Spokesman of the Government of Iran
• Official website of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran
• Official website of the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization
• Template:Fa icon Official website of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
• Template:Fr Iran Tourisme: Iran country of Thousand and One Nights. Photographs of the principal cities, tourist, historical and economic information on Iran. Video presentation of Iran

Other links

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

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
• Sarkhat news aggregator - Latest news from Iran
• Guardian section about Iran
• Template:Fr Iran Tourisme: Iran country of Thousand and One Nights. Photographs of the principal cities, tourist, historical and economic information on Iran. Video presentation of Iran