A Brief Description
Iran, the second largest country in the Middle East, has 5,000 years of fascinating history.
Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling shah was forced into political exile.
Thrust into the worldwide spotlight in 1979, when Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran, it also struggled through a bloody and disastrous (no win) eight-year-war with Iraq in the 1980s.
Literally surrounded by the most tumultuous area on the planet, the rigidity of its own long-standing political and social policies have come under attack in recent years, and there's now a powerful and growing internal pressure for reform.
The country is rich in natural gas and petroleum resources, and when that economic power is combined with its outwardly-friendly and hard working people, a troubled past certainly points to a bright future.
And as for tourism, international travelers rave about Iran's natural beauty, as well as its ancient ruins, mosques and first-class museums.
Read more about Iran here.
Snow-covered mountains, Iran
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Facts and Figures
 Name Iran
(long form) Islamic Republic of Iran
Population 68,017,900
Population & Density (all countries) here
Capital City Tehran (8.2 mil) metro (11.7 mil)
Currency Iranian Rial (IRR)
Currency Converter
here
Languages Persian (58%), Turkic (26%), others
Flag here
National Day February 11
Religions Shi'a Muslim (89%), Sunni Muslim (9%)
Geographic Coordinates
Latitude/Longitude (Capital City)
35º 40' N, 51º 26' E
Relative Location Iran is in both the northern and eastern hemispheres. It's positioned in the Middle East, a recognized geographical region of southwestern Asia. The country is bordered by the Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, and by the countries of Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Land Statistics
Coastline 1,516 miles (2,440 km) - does not include Caspian Sea shoreline
Land Areas
(land) 631,663 sq miles (1,636,000sq km)
(water) 4,633 sq miles (12,000 sq km)
(TOTAL) 636,296 sq miles (1,648,000 sq km)
Land Area (all countries) here
Landforms
Iran is a very rugged country of plateaus and mountains, dominated by the Elburz Mountains in the north, and the Zagros Mountains along its western borders.
The central and eastern portion is covered by the Plateau of Iran.The Dasht-e Kavir is a sandstone and salty desert plateau, that in the heat of summer is one of the hottest places on the planet.
The most significant river is the Karun, in the southwestern corner of the country. Lake Urmia (in the far-northwest) is the country's largest body of water.
 Highest Point Mt. Damavand - 18,934 ft. (5,771m)
 Lowest Point Caspian Sea - (-28 m)
Land Divisions 30 provinces, including: Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr, Chahar Mahall va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Janubi, Khorasan-e Razavi, Khorasan-e Shemali, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Buyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd and Zanjan.
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Maps
Iran (large color) Map here
Iran Outline Map here
Iran CIA version here
Iran Maps at UT here
Strait of Hormuz Map here!
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Asia Continent (printable) here
Asia Outline Map here
Asia (Southeast) Outline Map here
Asia (Name the Country) Map Test here
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Indian Subcontinent Map here
Middle East Landforms here
Middle East Map here
Middle East Outline Map here
Middle East Rivers here
Tsunami Map (December 2004) here
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World Outline Maps (printable) here
World Time Zone Map here
Recommended Links
Iran (Complete) info on the (GDP)
economy, imports and exports, natural resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more here!
Iran On-Line here
Iran Photos at TrekEarth.com here
Iran Tourism here
Men on the street, Tehran
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Time and Weather
Climate
Iran in the summer months can be cool as well as warm. Most of the country experiences extremes of heat. Very high temperatures occur along the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and in the Dasht-e Kavir, where highs frequently reach into the mid 90s.
Winter weather varies from mild to cold, with heavy snow in the higher elevation of the mountains. The Caspian Sea coastal area is mild, with rainfall throughout the year.
Traveler Info
Attractions
There are many exotic points-of-interest in Iran. The most popular is Tehran, and its somewhat seemless blendings of ancient traditions with the sleek and modern methods of the 21st century; the city's museums and mosques, including the Abgineh Museum of Iranian Pottery; Rea Abbasi Museum; National Museum of Iran, Carpet Museum; Shahid Motahari Mosque and the city's shopping bazaar, one of the world's largest. Recommended excusions from Tehran include several mountain resorts and skiing venues in the Alborz Mountains in the north.
Adventure travelers, much like those that followed the historic Silk Road of days gone by, still trek through the Golden Triangle region, and the timeless cities of Hamadan, Kermanshah and Khorramabad.
For women traveling in Iran, the dress attire is (out of respect) very conservative; clothing should cover arms and legs, and when in public, hair must be covered.
Western tourists, especially U. S. citizens, are warned to carefully consider the risks of travel to Iran. Tensions generated by the current situation in Iraq have increased the potential threat to U.S. citizens and interests abroad. American citizens may be subject to harassment or kidnapping.
Some parts of the country, including the Baluchistan border areas along Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Kurdish areas in the northwest, and the entire Iraqi border - are not considered safe for any traveler.
Country Dialing Code 98
Electricity Iran uses 230 volts AC (50 Hz)
Electrical adapters, products and tips here
Travel Warnings
here
Visa Information
here
 PLEASE
NOTE:
Before making travel plans for any worldwide destination, we strongly recommend you authenticate important details regarding visas, local health care, customs, etc. We always find it helpful to contact the nearest consulate of any country before beginning a journey into a foreign land.
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