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OFFICIAL NAME:
OFFICIAL NAME:
Islamic Republic of Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran
== Geography ==
* Area: 1.6 million sq. km. (636,295 sq. mi., slightly larger than Alaska).
* Arable land: 9.78% of the country.
* Cities: Capital--Tehran. Other cities--Isfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad, Shiraz, Yazd, Qom.
* Terrain: Desert and mountains.
* Climate: Semiarid; subtropical along the Caspian coast.
PEOPLE
== People ==
* Nationality: Noun and adjective--Iranian(s).
* Population (2006 est.): 69 million.
* Population growth rate (2006): 1.1%.
* Ethnic groups: Persians 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%.
* Religions: Shi'a Muslim 89%; Sunni Muslim 9%; Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 2%.
* Languages: Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic languages (besides Turkish) 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%.
* Education: Literacy (total population age 15 and over who can read and write, 2003)--79% (male: 86%, female: 73%).
* Health (2006 est.): Infant mortality rate--40.3 deaths/1,000 live births. Life expectancy at birth (2006)--total population: 70.26 yrs.
== Government ==
* Type: Islamic republic.
* Constitution: Ratified in December 1979, revised 1989.
* Branches: Executive--Supreme Leader (head of state), president (head of government), Council of Ministers, Assembly of Experts, Expediency Council, Council of Guardians. Legislative--290-member Majles (National Assembly, or Islamic Consultative Assembly). Judicial--Supreme Court.
* Political parties: A number of reform-minded groups achieved considerable success during elections to the sixth Majles in early 2000. However, many reformist candidates, including sitting members of the Majles, were disqualified from participation in the February 2004 elections. As a result, a new conservative group, the Builders of Islamic Iran, won a majority of the seats and took a leading position in the seventh Majles.
* Administrative subdivisions: 30 provinces.
* Suffrage: Universal suffrage at age 15.
== Economy ==
* GDP (purchasing power parity, 2005 est.): $561.6 billion.
* GDP (official exchange rate, 2005 est.): $181.2 billion.
* GDP real growth rate (2005 est.): 6.1%.
* GDP composition by sector (2004): Agriculture 19%, industry 26%, services 55%.
* Per capita income (2005 est.): $8,300.
* Work force: 23.68 million.
* Work force - by occupation (2001 est.): Agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45%.
* Unemployment rate (2004 est.): 11.2%.
* Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, iron ore, lead manganese, zinc, sulfur.
* Agriculture: Principal products--wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts, cotton, dairy products, wool, caviar. Note: Iran is not self-sufficient in terms of food.
* Industry: Types--petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and building materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), metal fabricating (particularly steel and copper), armaments.
* Trade (2005): Exports--$55.42 billion: petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, carpets, fruits, nuts. Major export partners (2005): Japan (16.9%), China (11.2%), Italy 5.9%), South Korea (5.8%), South Africa (5.8%), Turkey (4.6%), Netherlands (4.5%), France (4.4%), Taiwan (4.1%). Imports--$42.5 billion: industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services, military supplies. Major import partners: Germany (13.7%), UAE (8.3%), China (8.2%), Italy (7%), France (6.2%), South Korea (5.3%), Russia (4.8%).
== PEOPLE ==
Iran is a pluralistic society. Persians are the largest predominant ethnic and cultural group in this country, though many are actually of mixed ancestry. The country has important Turkic elements (e.g. Azeris) and Arabs predominate in the southwest. In addition, Iranian citizens include Kurds, Balochi, Bakhtyari, Lurs, and other smaller minorities, such as Armenians, Assyrians, Jews, and Brahuis (or Brohi).
Iran is a pluralistic society. Persians are the largest predominant ethnic and cultural group in this country, though many are actually of mixed ancestry. The country has important Turkic elements (e.g. Azeris) and Arabs predominate in the southwest. In addition, Iranian citizens include Kurds, Balochi, Bakhtyari, Lurs, and other smaller minorities, such as Armenians, Assyrians, Jews, and Brahuis (or Brohi).
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, which predominates in neighboring Muslim countries. Non-Muslim minorities include Zoroastrians, Jews, Baha'is, and Christians.
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, which predominates in neighboring Muslim countries. Non-Muslim minorities include Zoroastrians, Jews, Baha'is, and Christians.
HISTORY
== HISTORY ==
The ancient nation of Iran, historically known to the West as Persia and once a major empire in its own right, has been overrun frequently and has had its territory altered throughout the centuries. Invaded by Arabs, Seljuk Turks, Mongols, and others--and often caught up in the affairs of larger powers--Iran has always reasserted its national identity and has developed as a distinct political and cultural entity.
The ancient nation of Iran, historically known to the West as Persia and once a major empire in its own right, has been overrun frequently and has had its territory altered throughout the centuries. Invaded by Arabs, Seljuk Turks, Mongols, and others--and often caught up in the affairs of larger powers--Iran has always reasserted its national identity and has developed as a distinct political and cultural entity.
Presidential elections took place on June 17, 2005, resulting in a two-candidate runoff between Mahmud Ahmadi-Nejad and former-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on June 24. Ahmadi-Nejad won in the second round, taking office in August 2005. The next presidential elections are scheduled for 2009.
Presidential elections took place on June 17, 2005, resulting in a two-candidate runoff between Mahmud Ahmadi-Nejad and former-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on June 24. Ahmadi-Nejad won in the second round, taking office in August 2005. The next presidential elections are scheduled for 2009.
GOVERNMENT
== GOVERNMENT ==
The December 1979 Iranian constitution defines the political, economic, and social order of the Islamic republic. The document establishes Shi'a Islam of the Twelver (Jaafari) sect as Iran's official religion. Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Christianity are the only other recognized, legal minority religions. The country is governed by secular and religious leaders through governing bodies, whose duties often overlap.
The December 1979 Iranian constitution defines the political, economic, and social order of the Islamic republic. The document establishes Shi'a Islam of the Twelver (Jaafari) sect as Iran's official religion. Zoroastrianism, Judaism and Christianity are the only other recognized, legal minority religions. The country is governed by secular and religious leaders through governing bodies, whose duties often overlap.
