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{{Info
{{Infobox Country or territory
|conventional_long_name = <span style="line-height:1.33em;">Islamic Republic of Iran</span>
|common_name = Iran
|image_flag = Flag of Iran.svg
|image_coat = Coat of arms of Iran.svg
|symbol_type = Emblem
|image_map = LocationIran.png
|official_religion = ]
|national_motto = ''Esteqlāl, āzādī, jomhūrī-ye eslāmī''&nbsp;<sup>1</sup>{{spaces|2}}<small>(])<br/>"Independence, freedom, Islamic Republic"</small><br/>(introduced 1979)<br/>
|national_anthem = '']''&nbsp;²
|capital = ]
|latd=35 |latm=41 |latNS=N |longd=51 |longm=25 |longEW=E
|largest_city = capital
|official_languages = ]
|demonym = Iranian
|government_type = ]
|leader_title1 = ]
|leader_name1 = {{nowrap|] ]}}
|leader_title2 = ]
|leader_name2 = {{nowrap|]}}
|sovereignty_type = Unification
|established_event1 = ]
|established_date1 = 559 BCE
|established_event2 = ]
|established_date2 = <br/><br/>]E-]
|established_event3 = ]
|established_date3 = <br/>]–]
|established_event4 = ]
|established_date4 = <br/>May ]
|established_event5 = ]
|established_date5 = ]
|established_event6 = ]
|established_date6 = ]
|area = 1,648,195
|areami² = 636,372 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|area_rank = 18th
|area_magnitude = 1 E12
|percent_water = 0.7
<!--
|population_estimate = 71,208,000³
|population_estimate_year = 2007
|population_estimate_rank = 18th
-->
|population_density = 42
|population_densitymi² = 109 <!--Do not remove per ]-->
|population_density_rank = 158th
|population_census = 70,472,846³
|population_census_year = 2006 (1385&nbsp;])
|population_census_rank = 18th
|GDP_PPP = $$610 billion (2006) <ref name="cia" /><br /><small>''note:'' estimates ranges from $602 billion (2006) by ] <ref name=imf></ref> to $735 billion (2006) by ] <ref name="iu"></ref></small>
|GDP_PPP_rank = 19th ] est. <ref name="cia"></ref>
|GDP_PPP_year = 2006
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $8,900 (2006) <ref name="cia" /><br /> <small>''note:'' estimates ranges from $8,624 (2006) by ] <ref name=imf /> to $10,494 (2006) by ] <ref name="iu" /></small>
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 74th
|GDP_nominal = $212.4 billion <!--IMF figures-->
|GDP_nominal_rank = 32nd
|GDP_nominal_year = 2005
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $3,046 <!--IMF figures-->
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 92nd
|Gini = 43.0
|Gini_year = 1998
|Gini_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
|HDI_year = 2004
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.746
|HDI_rank = 96th
|HDI_category = <font color="#ffcc00">medium</font>
|currency = ] (<big>ريال</big>)
|currency_code = IRR
|time_zone = ]
|utc_offset = +3:30
|time_zone_DST = not observed
|utc_offset_DST = +3:30
|cctld = ]
|calling_code = 98
|footnote1 =
|footnote2 =
|footnote3 = {{cite web |url=http://www.sci.org.ir/content/userfiles/_census85/census85/natayej/tables/J-1.html |title=تغییرات جمعیت کشور طی سال‌های ۱۳۳۵-۱۳۸۵ |author=Statistical Center of Iran|accessdate=2007-05-16|language=Persian}}
|footnote4 =
}}
{{portal|Iran|Flag of Iran.svg|48}}

'''Iran''', ({{PerB|<big>ايران</big>}}, ''Īrān;'' ]: {{IPA|}}), officially the '''] of Iran''' ({{PerB|<big>جمهوری اسلامی ايران</big>}}, ]: ''Jomhūrī-ye Eslāmī-ye Īrān''), formerly known internationally as ''']''', is a ]n country located in the geographical territories of the ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Composition of macro geographical (continental) regions, geographical sub-regions, and selected economic and other groupings|author=United Nations Statistics Division|accessdate=2007-05-16|url=http://millenniumindicators.un.org/unsd/methods/m49/m49regin.htm#asia}}</ref>

The 18th largest country in the world in terms of area at 1,648,000 square kilometer, Iran is about the combined territories of the ], ], ] and ]. It has a population of over seventy million people.

Iran borders ], ], and ] to the north; ] and ] to the east; and ] and ] to the west. In addition, it borders the ], an important oil-producing area, ], and the ]. From these extensive borders, Iran is considered a key country that provides a bridge from the ] to ].

] is the state religion and ] the official language.<ref>{{cite web|title=قانون اساسی جمهوری اسلامی ایران|url=http://fa.wikisource.org/قانون_اساسی_جمهوری_اسلامی_ایران|language=Persian}}</ref>

The ] comprises several intricately connected governing bodies. It is based on the 1979 ]. The highest state authority is ], currently ] ].

It has one of the oldest histories in the world, extending nearly 6,000 years,{{Fact|date=August 2007}} and throughout history, Iran has been of ] importance because of its central location in ]. Iran is a founding member of the ], ], ], ], and ]. Iran is a ] in Southwest Asia and occupies an important position in the world economy due to its large reserves of ] and ].<ref>.</ref> The name Iran is a ] of ''Aryan'' and literally means "Land of the ]".<ref>http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/concepts/arya.asp</ref><ref>"http://dictionary.laborlawtalk.com/Aryan_race</ref><ref>http://imp.lss.wisc.edu/~aoliai/languagepage/iranianlanguages.htm</ref><ref>http://www.ljhammond.com/cwgt/08.htm</ref><ref>http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/persianempiremaps/qt/Iran.htm</ref>

== Etymology ==
{{main|Etymology of Iran}}

Iranians have always called their country Iran but Iran was called ] in English till 1935. The government of Persia asked the Western world on 25th of December 1934 to replace the name Persia with Iran in their languages. This change became effective in 21 March 1935. However in 1949, the government of Iran pronounced that due to the widespread use of the name Persia, Iran and Persia are from that year both officially acceptable.<ref>General maps of Persia 1477-1925 / by Cyrus Alai, Leiden : Brill, 2005, p.1</ref>

The term ''Iran'' (ایران) in modern Persian derives from the ] term ''Aryānām'' first attested in ] ] tradition.<ref name="Bailey_Arya">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Bailey|first=Harold Walter|title=Arya|page=681-683|year=1987|volume=2|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Iranica|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Iranica|location=New York|publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul|http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v2f7/v2f7a004.html}}</ref> As in ]'s lifetime, differing dates for ] have been proposed; scholarly consensus floats around ]E (roughly contemporary to the ] period of ]). ''Ariya-'' and ''Airiia-'' are also attested as an ethnic designator in ] inscriptions. The term ''Ērān'' from ] ''Ērān'', ] ''&#700;yr&#700;n'', is found at the inscription that accompanies the investiture relief of ] at ].<ref name="MacKenzie">{{cite encyclopedia|last=MacKenzie|first=David Niel|title=Ērān, Ērānšahr|year=1998|volume=8|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Iranica|publisher=Mazda|location=Cosa Mesa|url=http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v8f5/v8f545.html}}</ref> In this inscription, the king's appellation in Middle Persian contains the term ''ērān'' (Pahlavi: ''&#700;ry&#700;n''), while in the ] inscription that accompanies it, Iran is mentioned as ''aryān''. In Ardashir's time ''ērān'' retained this meaning, denoting ''the people'' rather than ''the state''.

Notwithstanding this inscriptional use of ''ērān'' to refer to the ], the use of ''ērān'' to refer to the empire is also attested by the early Sassanid period. An inscription of ], Ardashir's son and immediate successor, apparently "includes in ''Ērān'' regions such as ] and the ] which were not inhabited predominantly by Iranians."<ref name="Gignoux_Aneran">{{cite encyclopedia|last=Gignoux|first=Phillipe|title=Anērān|page=30–31|volume=2|year=1987|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Iranica|location=New York|publisher=Routledge & Kegan Paul|url=http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v2f1/v2f1a035.html}}</ref> In ] inscriptions the high priest includes the same regions in his list of provinces of the antonymic ''Anērān''.<ref name="Gignoux_Aneran" /> Both ''ērān'' and ''aryān'' comes from the ] term ''Aryānām'', (Land) of the (Iranian) Aryas. The word and concept of ] is present in the name of the country Iran (Lit. Land of the Aryans) where Iran (''Ērān''), is modern-Persian of the word ''Aryānā''.

Since the ] of 1979, the official name of the country is "Islamic Republic of Iran." For the pre-1935 use of "Persia" as the western name for Iran, see ].

== History ==
===Early history and the Median and Achaemenian Empires (3200&nbsp;BC – 330&nbsp;BC)===
{{main|History of Iran|Zayandeh Rud civilization|Jiroft civilization|Elam|Median Empire|Achaemenid Empire}}
{{seealso|Persian Empire}}
], ]200 BCE. The names Ariana (Aryânâ) were used to describe the region where the ] is found.]]
Dozens of ] sites across the Iranian plateau point to the existence of ancient cultures and urban settlements, centuries before the earliest civilizations arose in nearby ].<ref name="Iranian pottery in the Oriental Institute">{{cite web |url=http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/VOL/NN_SUM94/NN_Sum94.html |title="Iranian Pottery" |first=University of Chicago |last=Oriental Institute |accessdate=2006-04-29}}</ref>

The written history of Persia (Iran) begins around 3200&nbsp;BCE with the ] civilization, followed by the ]ites. ], (]) tribes arrived in the third and second ]&nbsp;BCE, probably in more than one wave of emigration. The ] are traced to the ], a ] culture of ], where the Proto-Iranians first emerged following the separation of ] tribes.<ref name="Panshin"> &mdash; Panshin.com (retrieved ] ])</ref> Further division of Proto-Iranians into an "Eastern" and a "Western" group is attested in the form of ], an Eastern Old Iranian language that was used to compose the sacred hymns and canon of ] ]. And ], which appears primarily in the inscriptions, clay tablets, seals of the Achaemenid era (c. 600 BCE to 300 BCE). Examples of Old Persian have been found in present-day Iran, ], ] and ].

Nomadic Iranian tribes settled across the Iranian plateau and by the 1st millennium BC, ], ], ]ns and ]ns populated the western part, while ], ] and ] populated the steppes north of the ]. The Iranian ] and ] began to settle on the eastern edge, on the mountainous frontier of northwestern ] and in to what is now ]. Others, such as the ]n tribes spread as far west as the ] and as far east as ]

The establishing of the ] (728–550&nbsp;BC) culminated in the first Iranian Empire. The Medes are credited with the foundation of Iran as a nation and empire, the largest of its day, until ] established a unified empire of the Medes and ] leading to the ] (648–330&nbsp;BC), and further unification between cultures.
After Cyrus's death, his son Cambyses continued his father's work of conquest, making significant gains in Egypt. A power struggle followed Cambyses' death and, despite his tenuous connection to the royal line, Darius was declared king (ruled 522–486&nbsp;BC). He was to be arguably the greatest of the ancient Persian rulers.
] is an Eastern Old Iranian language that was used to compose the sacred hymns and canon of the ] ]. Scholarly consensus floats around ]. ] became the state religion under the Achamenid empire and later Iranian empires, until the 7th Century AD.]]
] was the founder of the Persian Empire, and the author of "the world's oldest ] declaration".<ref name="TharoorInterview"></ref><ref></ref><ref>]. ''Lost Wisdom''. 2004. Mage Publishers. p.12. ISBN 0934211906</ref>]]
Under ] and ], the Persian Empire eventually became the largest and most powerful empire in human history up until that point, ruling over most of the known world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/PERSIANS.HTM |title=The Persians |year=1996 |first=Richard |last=Hooker |accessdate=2006-08-20}}</ref> Their greatest achievement was the empire itself. The Persian Empire represented the world's first global superpower<ref>Holland, Tom. ''Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West''. 2005. ISBN 0316726648</ref><ref>Lorentz, John H. ''Historical Dictionary of Iran.'' Asian Historical Dictionaries, No. 16. 1995. ISBN 9780810829947, p.44</ref><ref>Daniel, Elton L. ''The History of Iran''. Westport, CT Greenwood Press, 2001. ISBN 9780313307317, p.39</ref>, and was "a paragon of religious and cultural ]".<ref>]. ''Lost Wisdom''. 2004. Mage Publishers. p.12. ISBN 0934211906</ref>
The borders of the ] stretched from the ] and ] Rivers in the East to the Mediterranean Sea in the West, extending through ] (modern day Turkey) and Egypt.

In 499BC, Athens lent support to a revolt by one of the cities along the cost of Anatolia, ], ruled by a Greek tyrant named ], which culminated in the sacking and burning of the city of ]. This event escalated into what is known as the ], during which Persia conquered Thrace, Macedonia, then most of the Greek mainland (]), and razed Athens in 480BC.
However Greek victories on land at ] and ] and at sea at ] and ] forced Persia to withdraw. Fighting continued across the Eastern Mediterranean area from ] to ] until the ] in 449BC.

The rules and ethics emanating from Zorasters teachings were strictly followed by the Achaemenids who introduced and adopted policies based on ], banning of ] and ]. Zoroastrianism spread unimposed during the time of the Achaemenids and through contacts with the exiled ] people in ] freed by Cyrus, Zoroastrian concepts further propagated and influenced into other ]. The ] marked by ], ] and ] also came about during the Achaemenid period while their contacts with Persia and the Near East abounded. The peace, tranquility, security and prosperity that were afforded to the people of the ] and ] proved to be a rare historical occurrence, an unparalleled period where commerce prospered, and the standard of living for all people of the region improved.<ref> http://www.vohuman.org/Article/Historical%20perspective%20on%20Zoroastrianism.htm</ref>
], 559 BC–330 BC]]
] - referred to as "the accursed"<!-- Alaksandar t gizistag --> in the ] Middle Persian '']''<!-- Arda Viraz Namag --> - invaded Achaemenid territory in 334 BCE, conclusively defeating the last Achaemenid Emperor ] at the ] in 333 BCE. In 330 BCE, Alexander occupied Persepolis (and according to legend, had it destroyed) and Pasargadae, leaving them and the rest of the Pars province in control of one of his officers before moving on northwards. In the same year, Alexander occupied in quick succession Aspardana (present day ]), Ecbatana in Media (present day ]), Hecatompylos in Hyrancia (present day ]), Susia in Parthia (in present day ]). He then turned southwards and occupied Prophtasia in Drangiana (present day ]). The next year, in 329 BCE, Alexander took the ] capitals at ] in Arachosia, Kabura (]), Bactra (]) in Bactria, and finally Maracanda (]) in Sogdiana before leaving imperial territory in 328-327. In each of the former Achaemenid territories he installed his own officers as caretakers, which led to friction and ultimately to the ] after Alexander's death. A reunification would not occur until 700 years later, under the Sassanids (see below). Unlike the ]c Seleucids and the succeeding Arsacids, who used a ], the Sassanids - like the Achaemenids - had a system of governors (MP: ''shahrab'') personally appointed by the Emperor and directed by the central government.

===Third Persian Empire: Parthian Empire (248&nbsp;BC – 224 AD)===
<!--Images start:
-->], civilized, friend of Greeks.]]
<!--
---(Images end)-->
{{main|Parthian Empire|Seleucid Empire}} {{seealso|Roman-Persian Wars|Roman relations with the Parthians and Sassanians|Silk Road}}
] was led by the ], who reunited and ruled over the Iranian plateau, after defeating the ] ], beginning in the late third century BCE, and intermittently controlled ] between ca 150&nbsp;BCE and 224&nbsp;CE. These were the third native dynasty of ancient Iran (]) and lasted five centuries.
After the conquests of ], ], ] and ], the Parthians had to organize their empire. The former elites of these countries were ], and the new rulers had to adapt to their customs if they wanted their rule to last. As a result, the cities retained their ancient rights and civil administrations remained more or less undisturbed. An interesting detail is coinage: legends were written in the Greek alphabet, a practice that continued until the 2nd century AD, when local knowledge of the language was in decline and few people knew how to read or write the ].
], the arch-rival of Rome, at its greatest extent (''c.'' ]), superimposed over modern borders.]]Parthia was the arch-enemy of the ] in the east, limiting Rome's expansion beyond ] (central ]). By using a heavily-armed and armored ] cavalry, and lightly armed but highly-mobile ], the Parthians "held their own against Rome for almost 300 years".<ref>''Persians: Masters of Empire'', 1995, ISBN 0809491044, p.142–143</ref> Rome's acclaimed general ] led a disastrous campaign against the Parthians in 36 BCE in which he lost 32,000 men. By the time of Roman emperor ], Rome and Parthia were settling some of their differences through diplomacy. By this time, Parthia had acquired an assortment of ''golden eagles'', the cherished standards of Rome's legions, captured from ], and ], who suffered "a disastrous defeat" at ] in 53 BCE.<ref>Cotterell, Arthur. ''From Aristotle to Zoroaster: An a to Z Companion to the Classical World.'' 1998. p.272</ref>

During Parthian, and later ] era, trade on the ] was a significant factor in the development of the great ]s of ], ], ], ], ], and ], and helped to lay the foundations for the modern world.
Parthian remains display classically Greek influences in some instances and retain their oriental mode in others, a clear expression of "the cultural diversity that characterized Parthian art and life".<ref>''Persians: Masters of Empire'', 1995, ISBN 0809491044, p.134</ref> The Parthians were ] such as that of ], which later on "influenced European ]".<ref>''Persians: Masters of Empire'', 1995, ISBN 0809491044, p.138</ref><ref>''"Even the architecture of the Christian church, with its hallowed chancel seems inspired by the designs of ]ic temples"''. ]. ''Lost Wisdom''. 2004. Mage Publishers. p.13. ISBN 0934211906</ref>

===Fourth Persian Empire: Sassanid Empire (224 – 651 CE)===
{{main|Sassanid Empire|Sassanid Art}} {{seealso|Roman-Persian Wars|Roman relations with the Parthians and Sassanids|Battles of the Sassanid Empire|}}
<!--Images start:-->
], superimposed over modern borders.]]
The end of the Parthian Empire came in 224 CE, when the empire was loosely organized and the last king was defeated by ], one of the empire's vassals. ] then went on to create the Sassanid Empire. Soon he started reforming the country both economically and militarily.
] the Great displays the craftsmanship commanded by Sassanid artisans.]]

The Sassanids established an empire roughly within the frontiers achieved by the Achaemenids, referring to it as ''Erânshahr'' (or ''Iranshahr'', "Dominion of the Aryans", i.e. of ]), with their capital at ].<ref>Garthwaite, Gene R., ''The Persians'', p. 2</ref>

During their reign, Sassanid battles with the ] caused such pessimism in ] that the historian ] wrote:
{{Cquote|
Here was a source of great fear to us. So formidable does the Sassanid king seem to our eastern legions, that some are liable to go over to him, and others are unwilling to fight at all."}}<ref>Arthur Cotterell, ''From Aristotle to Zoroaster: An a to Z Companion to the Classical World''. 1998. ISBN 0684855968, p.344–345</ref>

The Romans suffered repeated losses particularly by ], ], and ].<ref>Lorentz, John H. ''Historical Dictionary of Iran.''
Asian Historical Dictionaries; No.16. 1995. ISBN 9780810829947, p.189</ref>
Under the Sassanids, Persia ], the ], ], and ] greatly flourished, and centers such as the ] and ] became world renowned centers of science and scholarship.

After roughly six hundred years of confrontation and rivalry with the ], raids from the Arab peninsula began attacking the Sassanin and ] frontiers in which a war-exhausted Persia was defeated in the ], paving way for the ].

===From the fall of the Sassanid Dynasty to the Safavid Empire (652–1501 CE)===
{{main|Islamization in Iran|Abbasid Caliphate|Ilkhanate|Timurid dynasty|Mongol Empire|Khwarezmian Empire|Seljuk dynasty|Buyid Dynasty|Ghaznavid Empire}}

<!--Images start:
-->

]<!--
---(Images end)-->

After the ], Persia was annexed into the ]. But the ] was to yield deep transformations within the cultural, scientific, and political structure of Iran's society: The blossoming of ], ], ] and ] became major elements of the newly-forming Muslim civilization. Inheriting a heritage of thousands of years of civilization, and being at the "crossroads of the major cultural highways",<ref>Caheb C., Cambridge History of Iran, ''Tribes, Cities and Social Organization'', vol. 4, p305–328</ref> contributed to Persia emerging as what culminated into the "]".

It was the Persian general ], who expelled the ]s from ] and helped the ] caliphs to conquer ]. The ] caliphs frequently chose their "]" (viziers) among Persians, and Persian governors acquired a certain amount of local autonomy. Thus in ] CE, the governor of Khorasan, ], proclaimed his independence and founded a new Persian dynasty of ]. And by the ] era, Persia's efforts to regain its independence had been well solidified.<ref>Bosworth C. E., Cambridge History of Iran, vol. 4, p.90</ref>

Attempts of ] thus never succeeded in Iran, and movements such as the ] became catalysts for Persians to regain their independence in their relations with the Arab invaders.
The cultural revival of the post-] period led to a resurfacing of ]n national identity. The resulting cultural movement reached its peak during the ] and ]. The most notable effect of the movement was the continuation of the ], the language of the ] and the official language of Iran to the present day. ], Iran's greatest epic poet, is regarded today as the most important figure in maintaining the Persian language.

Before the conquest, Iranian philosophical traditions and thoughts which originated in ancient ] roots, were considerably influenced by ]s teachings. The Persians had been mainly ], however, there were also large and thriving ] and ] communities. The newly converted Iranian Muslims projected many of their own Persian moral and ethical values that predates the advent of ], while recognizing Islam as their religion and the prophet's son in law, ], as an enduring symbol of justice.
] copy of ]'s '']'', which was the standard medical text in Europe for seven centuries.]]
After an interval of silence Persians remained Persians and Iran reemerged as a separate, different and distinctive element within Islam. ], ], and religiously, the Iranian contribution to this new ] is of immense importance. The work of Iranians can be seen in every field of scientific and cultural endeavor, including Arabic poetry, to which poets of Iranian origin composing their poems in ] made a significant contribution. ''Persian Islam'' ''Islam-i Ajam'' was brought to new areas and new peoples: to the ], first in ] and then in the Middle East in the country which came to be called ], as well as to ] and beyond. The ] brought a form of Iranian civilization to the walls of ]<ref name="lewis"/></blockquote> ] after the Islamic conquest, is characterized by different interactions with the Old ], the ] and with the development of ]. The ] and the ] are regarded as two of the main philosophical traditions of that era in Persia.

The movement continued well into the eleventh century, when ] founded a vast empire, with its capital at ] and ]. Their successors, the ], asserted their domination from the ] to ]. As with their predecessors, the ] of the empire was in the hands of Persian ], who founded the ].
During this period, ] vastly contributed to technology, science and medicine, later influencing the rise of European science during ].<ref>Kühnel E., in ''Zeittschrift der deutschen morgenländischen Gesell'', Vol. CVI (1956)</ref>

In ], the eastern ] provinces of ] and ] suffered a devastating ] by ]. During this period more than half of Persia's population were killed,<ref>The memoirs of ], ''] "Science and Technology Review"''. July/August 1998. Link: </ref> turning the streets of Persian cities like ] into "rivers of blood", as the severed heads of men, women, and children were "neatly stacked into carefully constructed pyramids around which the carcasses of the city's dogs and cats were placed".<ref>]. ''The Iranians: Persia, Islam, and the soul of a nation''. 1996. ISBN 0-525-94005-7. p.69.</ref> Between 1220 and 1260, the total population of Persia may had dropped from 2,500,000 to 250,000 as a result of mass ] and ].<ref></ref> In a letter to King ], ], one of the ]'s grandsons, alone took responsibility for 200,000 deaths in his raids of Persia and the Caliphate.<ref>''Mackey'', p. 70</ref> He was followed by yet another conqueror, ], who established his capital in ].<ref></ref>

The waves of devastation prevented many cities such as ] from reaching their pre-invasion population levels until the ], eight centuries later.<ref>Mackey, S. ''The Iranians: Persia, Islam, and the soul of a nation''. 1996. ISBN 0-525-94005-7. p.69.</ref>
But both ], ] and their successors soon came to adopt the ways and customs of that which they had conquered, choosing to surround themselves with a culture that was distinctively Persian.

===The birth of modern Iran: Rise of the Safavid Empire (1501 – 1920)===
{{main|Safavid Empire|Qajar dynasty|Afsharid dynasty|Zand dynasty}} {{seealso|Russo-Persian Wars|Anglo-Persian War|Turko-Persian War}}
], the founder of the ] (1501 to 1736).]]
] chancellor ] established ] system, among other modernizing reforms.]]Persia's first encompassing ]ic state was established under the ] in 1501 by ]. The Safavid dynasty soon became a major political power and promoted the flow of bilateral state contacts. The Safavid peak was during the rule of "]".<ref>http://www.ucalgary.ca/applied_history/tutor/islam/empires/safavid/abbas.html</ref> The Shah swiftly moved to defeat the ], ], and ], bringing a flow of prosperity into Iranian cities.

The Safavids moved their capital from ] to ] and then to ] where their patronage for the arts propelled Persia into one of its most aesthetically productive eras. Under their rule, the state became highly centralized, the first attempts to modernize the military were made, and even ].

The defeat of ] by Afghan rebels marked the start of the downfall of the Safavid era in ]. One year after the last Safavid monarch lost his throne in ], ] successfully drove out the Afghan rebels from Isfahan and established the ]. He then staged an incursion into ] in 1738 securing the ], ], and ] among other ] treasures. His rule did not last long however, and he was assassinated in ].

The ] based Afshar dynasty was succeeded by the ] in ], founded by ], who established his capital at ]. His rule brought a period of relative peace and renewed prosperity. The Afshar dynasty lasted three generations, until ] executed ] (assisted by the young Zand king's betrayal by his chancellor), and founded his new capital in ], marking the dawn of the ] in ]. His successors however gradually transformed Iran into an arena for the rising colonial powers of ] and the ], which wielded great political influence in ] under the subsequent ]id kings. Yet in spite of ], Iran managed to maintain her sovereignty and was never colonized, unlike neighboring states in the region.

Persia suffered ] during the ] era, resulting in Persia losing almost half of its territories to ] and the ] via the treaties of ], ], and ]. Repeated foreign intervention and a corrupt and weakened Qajar rule led to ], which by the end of the Qajar period resulted in ] establishing ] in 1906, within a ].

] in 1870-1871 is believed to have caused the death of 2 million people.<ref></ref><ref></ref> During the 1917-1919 famine as much as 1/4 of the population living in the north of Persia died.<ref></ref>

===From the Pahlavi era to the Iranian Revolution (1921 – 1979)===
], former Iranian prime minister, was overthrown in a ]-backed coup in 1953.]]
{{main|Pahlavi dynasty|Iranian Constitutional Revolution}}
With the rise of ] and encroachment of stronger Western powers in the late nineteenth century came the ] of 1905–1911. Reformers hoped the constitution would strengthen Iran against ] and Britain by centralizing and modernizing it. Ultimately the constitution became law, but its provisions were seldom followed during most of its history.

In 1921, ] army officer ] (known as ] after assuming the throne) staged a ] against the weakened ]. An autocrat and supporter of modernization, Reza Shah initiated the development of modern ], ], and establishment of a national ] system. Reza Shah sought to balance the influence of Russia and Britain by seeking out assistance and technology from European powers traditionally not involved in Iranian affairs, but when ] started his closeness to Germany alarmed allied powers Russia and Britain, Germany's enemies.

In summer of 1941 ] to prevent Iran from allying with the Axis powers. The ] occupied Iran, securing a supply line to Russia, Iran's petroleum infrastructure, and forced the Shah to abdicate in favor of his son, ]. In 1951, a nationalist politician, Dr. ] rose to prominence in Iran and was elected ]. As Prime Minister, Mossadegh became enormously popular in Iran by ] the ] (later ], BP) which controlled the country's oil reserves. In response, Britain embargoed Iranian oil and began plotting to depose Mossadegh. Members of the British Intelligence Service invited the ] to join them, convincing U.S. President Eisenhower that Mossadegh was reliant on the ] (]) Party to stay in power. In 1953, President Eisenhower authorized ], and the CIA took the lead in overthrowing Mossadegh and supporting a U.S.-friendly monarch; and for which the ] apologized in 2000.<ref>http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0004/19/i_ins.00.html</ref>

], Shah of Iran, and his wife, Queen Farah, prepare to depart after a visit to the United States]]
The CIA faced many setbacks, but the ] soon went into full swing, conducted from the U.S. Embassy in Tehran under the leadership of ] Iranians were hired to protest Mossadegh and fight pro-Mossadegh demonstrators. Anti- and pro-monarchy protestors violently clashed in the streets, leaving almost three hundred dead. The operation was successful in triggering a coup, and within days, pro-Shah tanks stormed the capital and bombarded the Prime Minister's residence. Mossadegh surrendered, and was arrested on ] ]. He was tried for treason, and sentenced to three years in prison.

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi returned to power greatly strengthened and his rule became increasingly ] in the following years. With strong support from the U.S. and U.K., the Shah further modernized Iranian industry, but simultaneously crushed all forms of political opposition with his intelligence agency, ]. ] ] became an active critic of the Shah's ] and publicly denounced the government. Khomeini, who was popular in religious circles, was arrested and imprisoned for 18 months. After his release in 1964, Khomeini publicly criticized the United States government. The Shah was persuaded to send him into exile by General ]. Khomeini was sent first to ], then to ] and finally to ]. While in exile, he continued to denounce the Shah.

===Iranian Revolution and Iran-Iraq War (1979 – 1988)===
{{main|Iranian Revolution|Iran-Iraq War}}
The ] (also known as the ])<ref name = "Chamber">, Iran Chamber.</ref><ref name = "Encarta">, MS Encarta.</ref><ref>''The Shah and the Ayatollah: Iranian Mythology and Islamic Revolution'' (Hardcover), ISBN, by Fereydoun Hoveyda, brother of ].</ref> transformed Iran from a ] under ] ], to an ] under ] ], the leader of the revolution and founder of the Islamic Republic.<ref name = "Britannica">.</ref>
] ] on February 1, 1979 from France.]]
The revolution began in January 1978 with the first major demonstrations against the ].<ref>.</ref> After strikes and demonstrations paralyzed the country, the ] fled the country in January 1979. On February 1, 1979 Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile to Tehran, enthusiastically greeted by millions of Iranians.<ref name = "Britannica Khomeini">, Encyclopedia Britannica.</ref> The ] collapsed ten days later on ] when Iran's military declared itself "neutral" after guerrillas and rebel troops overwhelmed troops loyal to the Shah in armed street fighting. Iran officially became an Islamic Republic on ], ] when Iranians overwhelmingly approved a national referendum to make it so.<ref>, Encyclopedia Britannica.</ref> In December 1979 the country approved a ] constitution, whereby Khomeini became ] of the country.
The speed and success of the revolution surprised many throughout the world,<ref>Amuzegar, ''The Dynamics of the Iranian Revolution,'' (1991), p.4, 9–12</ref> as it had not been precipitated by a military defeat, a financial crisis, or a peasant rebellion.<ref>Arjomand, ''Turban'' (1988), p. 191.</ref> It produced profound change at great speed.<ref>Amuzegar, Jahangir, ''The Dynamics of the Iranian Revolution,'' SUNY Press, p.10</ref> It overthrew a regime thought to be heavily protected by a lavishly financed army and security services.<ref>Harney, ''Priest'' (1998), p. 2.</ref><ref>Abrahamian ''Iran'' (1982), p. 496.</ref> And it replaced an ancient monarchy with a theocracy based on ] (or ''velayat-e faqih''). Although both nationalists and Marxists joined with Islamic traditionalists to overthrow the Shah, it ultimately resulted in an Islamic Republic "under the guidance of an 80-year-old exiled religious scholar from ]," ] ].<ref name = "Benard">Benard, ''"The Government of God"'' (1984), p. 18.</ref>

For some the revolution was a era of heroism and sacrifice that brought forth the nucleus of a world Islamic state, "a perfect model of splendid, humane, and divine life… for all the peoples of the world."<ref>"Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: ," 9/28/2006 Clip No. 1288.</ref> Other Iranians remember the revolution as a time when "for a few years we all lost our minds."<ref>Shirley, ''Know Thine Enemy'' (1997), pp. 98, 104, 195.</ref> They believe the revolution damaged ] and its standing in the world, a blow from which it has yet to recover.<ref>''New York Daily News,'' January 3, 2007, "How to make ’07 Ahmadinejad’s last year in power" by Michael Rubin.</ref><ref name = "Roy">Roy, ''Failure of Political Islam'' (1994), p. 193.</ref>

Iran's relations with the ] became deeply antagonistic during the revolution. On ] ], Iranian students ], labeling the embassy a "den of spies."<ref>"http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carter/sfeature/sf_hostage.html</ref> They accused its personnel of being CIA agents plotting to overthrow the revolutionary government, as the CIA had done to ] in 1953. While the student ringleaders had not asked for permission from ] to seize the embassy, ] nonetheless supported the embassy takeover after hearing of its success. <ref>Guests of the Ayatollah: The Iran Hostage Crisis: The First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam, Mark Bowden, p. 127</ref> While most of the ] and ] hostages were released within the first months,<ref>Guests of the Ayatollah: The Iran Hostage Crisis: The First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam, Mark Bowden, p. 200</ref> the remaining fifty-two hostages were held for 444 days. The students demanded the handover of the Shah in exchange for the hostages, and following the Shah's death in the summer of 1980, that the hostages be put on trial for espionage. Subsequently attempts by the ] administration to negotiate or ] were unsuccessful until January 1981 when the ] was agreed upon. The U.S. promised (among other things) in the accord to release Iranian assets that had been frozen, but as of 2007 those assets still remain frozen.
] meeting ] on ] - ] ]. Rumsfeld visited again on ] ]; the same day the UN released a report that Iraq had used ] and ] nerve agent against Iranian troops.{{Fact|date=July 2007}}]]
] leader ] decided to take advantage of what he perceived to be disorder in the wake of the Iranian Revolution and its unpopularity with Western governments. The once-strong Iranian military had been disbanded during the revolution, and with the Shah ousted, Hussein had ambitions to position himself as the new strong man of the Middle East. He also sought to expand Iraq's access to the ] by acquiring territories that Iraq had claimed earlier from Iran during the Shah's rule. Of chief importance to Iraq was ] which not only boasted a substantial ] population, but rich oil fields as well. On the unilateral behalf of the ], the islands of ] and the ] became objectives as well. With these ambitions in mind, Hussein planned a full-scale assault on Iran, boasting that his forces could reach the capital within three days. On ], ] the Iraqi army invaded Iran at Khuzestan, precipitating the ]. The attack took revolutionary Iran completely by surprise.

Although Saddam Hussein's forces made several early advances, by 1982, Iranian forces managed to push the Iraqi army back into Iraq. Khomeini sought to export his Islamic revolution westward into Iraq, especially on the majority Shi'a Arabs living in the country. The war then continued for six more years until 1988, when Khomeini, in his words, "drank the cup of poison" and accepted a truce mediated by the United Nations.

Tens of thousands of Iranian ] and ] personnel were killed when Iraq used ] weapons in its warfare. ] by ], the ] countries of the ], the ] and the ] states, the ] (beginning in ]), ], the ], ], ], and the ] (which also sold weapons to Iran). All of these countries provided intelligence, agents for chemical weapons as well as other forms of military assistance to Saddam Hussein {{Fact|date=August 2007}}. Iran's principal allies during the war were ], ], and ].

With more than 100,000 Iranian victims<ref name="r1">Center for Documents of The Imposed War, Tehran. (مرکز مطالعات و تحقیقات جنگ)</ref> of Iraq's chemical weapons during the eight-year war, Iran is the world's second-most afflicted country by ]— second only to ]. The total Iranian casualties of the war were estimated to be anywhere between 500,000 and 1,000,000. Almost all relevant international agencies have confirmed that Saddam engaged in chemical warfare to blunt Iranian ]s; these agencies unanimously confirmed that Iran never used chemical weapons during the war.<ref>http://www.fas.org/news/iran/1997/970205-480132.htm</ref><!--
--><ref>http://www.fas.org/cw/intro.htm</ref><!--
--><ref>http://www.antiwar.com/glantz/?articleid=2804</ref><!--
--><ref></ref>

{{seealso|Iran 1989-Present}}

==Government and politics==
{{main|Politics and Government of Iran|Foreign relations of Iran|Supreme Leader of Iran|President of Iran|Majlis of Iran|Council of Guardians|Expediency Discernment Council|Judicial system of Iran|Assembly of Experts|City and Village Councils of Iran}}
]
The political system of the Islamic ] is based on the 1979 ] called the "''']'''" ("Fundamental Law"). The system comprises several intricately connected governing bodies. ''']''' is responsible for ] 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 ] are appointed by the Supreme Leader. The ] elects and dismisses the Supreme Leader on the basis of qualifications and popular esteem.<ref name=loc">{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/iran/81.htm |title="Iran - The Constitution" |first=Library of Congress |last=Federal Research Division |accessdate=2006-04-14}}</ref> The Assembly of Experts is responsible for supervising the Supreme Leader in the performance of legal duties.

After the Supreme Leader, the Constitution defines the ''']''' as the highest state authority. The President is elected by ] for a term of four years. Presidential candidates must be approved by the ] prior to running in order to ensure their allegiance to the ideals of the Islamic revolution. 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, who has the final say in all matters. The President appoints and supervises the ], 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 twenty-one 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. Iran's current president, ], was elected in a run-off poll in the ]. His term expires in 2009.

], ].]]

The current ''']''' is a ] body. Before the ], the legislature was ], but the ] was removed under the new constitution. The '']'' (Islamic Consultative Assembly) comprises 290 members elected for four-year terms. The Majlis drafts ], ratifies international ], and approves the national budget. All Majlis candidates and all legislation from the assembly must be approved by the ''']'''. The ] comprises twelve jurists including six appointed by the Supreme Leader. The others are elected by the ] from among the jurists nominated by the Head of the ]. The Council interprets the constitution and may ] Parliament. If a law is deemed incompatible with the constitution or '']'' (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.

The ''']''' 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 Supreme Leader appoints the head of ''']''', 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 ]. The decisions of the revolutionary courts are final and cannot be appealed. The Special Clerical Court handles crimes allegedly committed by ]s, although it has also taken on cases involving ]. 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.

The ''']''', 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 ] determines candidates' eligibility. The Assembly elects the Supreme Leader and has the constitutional authority to remove the Supreme Leader from power at any time. As all of their meetings and notes are strictly confidential, the Assembly has never been publicly known to challenge any of the Supreme Leader's decisions.

Finally, ''']''' are elected by public vote to four-year terms in all cities and villages of Iran. According to article seven of 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 co-ordinating national participation in the implementation of social, economic, constructive, cultural, educational and other welfare affairs.

''']''' are based on two strategic principles: eliminating outside influences in the region and pursuing extensive diplomatic contacts with developing and ]. Iran maintains diplomatic relations with almost every member of the ], except for ], which Iran does not recognize, and the ] since the ]. <ref>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/middle_east/iran/timeline.html</ref> Iran has come under ] since December 2006, because of its ].

==Provinces and counties ==
{{main|Provinces of Iran|Counties of Iran}}

Iran is divided into 30 ] (''ostān''), each governed by an appointed governor (استاندار, ostāndār). The provinces are divided into counties ('']''), and subdivided into districts ('']'') and sub-districts (''dehestān'').

]
The map does not show the southern islands of ] (#20 listed below):
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===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%.<ref name="payvand2">{{cite web |url=http://www.payvand.com/news/03/nov/1135.html |title="Iran: Focus on reverse migration" |author=Payvand |accessdate=2006-04-17}}</ref><ref name="tourismandtravel">{{cite web |url=http://tourism.chn.ir/en/aboutIran/ |title="Tourism and Travel: About Iran" |author=Cultural Heritage New Agency |accessdate=2006-04-17}}</ref> The United Nations predicts that by 2030 the urban population will form 80% of the overall population.<ref name="tourismandtravel"/> Most of the internal migrants have settled near the cities of ], ], ], and ]. The listed populations are from the ]/] (1385 ]) census<ref>Data available in spreadsheet form from the Iranian National Portal of Statistics at the URL http://www.sci.org.ir/portal/faces/public/census85/census85.natayej/census85.abadipage</ref>.

;Tehran (population 7,705,036)
] (Freedom Tower).]]
] is the capital and largest city of Iran and like many big cities, suffers from severe air pollution. Tehran is the hub of the country's ] and ] network. The city has numerous large museums, art centers, palace complexes and cultural centers and host 45% of Iran's industries.

;Mashhad (population 2,410,800)
] (also spelt ], literally "The place of martyrdom"), is located 850 kilometers (500 miles) east of ], and is one of the holiest ] cities in the world. It is the second largest city with a population of 2.8 million at the center of the province of ].

;Isfahan (population 1,583,609)
] or ], located about 340 km south of ], is the capital of ] and Iran's fourth largest city.

The ] in Isfahan has been designated by ] as a ]. The city also contains a wide variety of ] sites ranging from the eleventh to the nineteenth century.

;Tabriz (population 1,378,935)
] is the largest city in north-western Iran and is the capital of ]. Tabriz is situated north of the volcanic cone of ] south of the ] mountain.

;Karaj (population 1,377,450)
] is located in ] and is situated 20&nbsp;km west of ], at the foot of ] mountains, however the city is increasingly becoming an extension of the metropolitan ].

;Shiraz (population 1,204,882)
] is the capital of ] and is located in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains.
Shiraz is known as the city of Poetry, Wine and carpet production and flowers (such as Roses). It is also famous for its importance in the ]. It has a moderate climate and has been a regional trade center for more than a thousand years.

;Ahvaz (population 969,843)
The city of ], is the capital of the Iranian province of ]. It is built on the banks of the ] River and is situated in the middle of Khūzestān Province. The city has an average elevation of 20 meters above sea level.

;Qom (population 951,918)
] (also known as Q'um or Kom) lies {{convert|97|mi|km|0}} by road south-west of ] and is the capital of ] and is built on the banks of the ] and is considered to be a holy city in ], as it is the site of the shrine of ], sister of Imam ] (Persian ''Imam Reza'', 789–816 CE). The city is the largest center for Shi'a scholarship in the world, and is a significant destination of pilgrimage.

==Geography and climate==
{{main|Geography of Iran}}
]
{{seealso|Agriculture in Iran|Wildlife of Iran}}
Iran is the ] in the world after ] and before ];<ref>http://www.mongabay.com/igapo/world_statistics_by_area.htm World Statistics by Area]</ref> Its area roughly equals the size of the ], ], ], and ] combined, about one-sixth the size of the ] or slightly larger, in land mass, than the state of ].<ref></ref><ref></ref> Its borders are with ] (432&nbsp;km/268&nbsp;mi) and ] (35&nbsp;km/22&nbsp;mi) to the northwest; the ] to the north; ] (992&nbsp;km/616&nbsp;mi) to the northeast; ] (909&nbsp;km/565&nbsp;mi) and ] (936&nbsp;km/582&nbsp;mi) to the east; ] (499&nbsp;km/310&nbsp;mi) and Iraq (1,458&nbsp;km/906&nbsp;mi) to the west; and finally the waters of the ] and the ] to the south. Iran's area is 1,648,000&nbsp;] (approximately 636,300&nbsp; ] )

] is Iran's highest point.]]
Most of Iran is situated on the ] with the exception of the coast of the ] and ]. Iran is one of the world's most mountainous countries, its landscape is dominated by rugged ]s that separate various ] or ]s from one another. The populous western part is the most mountainous, with ranges such as the ], ] and ] Mountains; the latter contains Iran's highest point, ] at 5,604&nbsp;] (18,386&nbsp;ft), which is not only the country's highest peak but also the highest mountain on the Eurasian landmass west of the ]. The eastern part consists mostly of ] basins like the saline ], Iran's largest desert, located in the north-central portion of the country, and the ], in the east, as well as some ]s. This is because the mountain ranges are too high for rain clouds to reach these regions. Except for some scattered ], such as ], these deserts are uninhabited.
].]]
The only large ]s are found along the coast of the ] and at the northern end of the Persian Gulf, where Iran borders the mouth of the ] river. Smaller, discontinuous plains are found along the remaining coast of the Persian Gulf, the ] and the ].

Iran's ] is mostly ] or ], to ] 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 ] (84 ]). Annual precipitation is 680&nbsp;] (27&nbsp;]) in the eastern part of the plain and more than 1,700&nbsp;mm (67&nbsp;in) in the western part. 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&nbsp;mm (eight 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&nbsp;mm (five to fourteen inches).

==Economy==
] is Iran's official currency]]
] was one of the first cities in Iran which was modernized in the ] era. It currently hosts 45% of Iran's large industries.]]
] is a free-trade zone, which is quickly becoming a major tourist destination.]]
{{main|Economy of Iran}}
{{seealso|Next Eleven|Tehran Stock Exchange|Economic Cooperation Organization|Transport in Iran|Communications in Iran}}
Iran's economy is a mixture of ], ] of oil and other large ]s, village ], and small-scale private trading and service ventures. Its economic ] has been improving steadily over the past two decades but continues to be affected by ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|date=2007-07-08|url=http://iran-daily.com/1386/2887/html|title=World Bank: Iran’s Economic Indices Improving|publisher=Iran Daily|accessdate=2007-07-08}}</ref> In the early twenty-first century the service sector contributed the largest percentage of the GDP, followed by industry (] and manufacturing) and ]. About 45 percent of the government's budget came from oil and natural gas revenues, and 31 percent came from taxes and fees. Government spending contributed to an average annual inflation rate of 14 percent in the period 2000–2004. In 2006 the GDP was estimated at $193.5 billion ($599.2 billion at PPP), or $2,440 per capita ($8,700 at ]).<ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ir.html</ref> Because of these figures and the country’s diversified but small industrial base, the United Nations classifies Iran's economy as semi-developed.

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. Thanks to the construction of many ]s throughout the country in recent years, large-scale ] schemes, and the wider production of export-based agricultural items like ], ]s, and ]s, produced the fastest economic growth of any sector in Iran over much of the ]. Although successive years of severe ] in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 have held back output growth substantially, ] remains one of the largest employers, accounting for 22% of all jobs according to the 1991 census.

Iran's major commercial partners are ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Since the late 1990s, Iran has increased its economic cooperation with other developing countries, including ], ], ], ], and ]. Iran is also expanding its trade ties with ] and ] and shares with its partners the common goal of creating a single economic market in West and ], much like the ] called ]. Iran also expects to attract billions of dollars of ] by creating a more favorable investment climate, such as reduced restrictions and duties on imports, and free-trade zones in ], ] and ].

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 ] revenues in areas like ] ], ] industries, consumer ], ] and ]. Iran has also developed a ], ], and ] industry. The strong oil market since 1996 helped ease financial pressures on Iran and allowed for Tehran's timely debt service payments. Iranian ] have been a chronic problem, in part due to ], totaling more than $40 billion per year, that include foodstuffs and especially gasoline.<ref>http://www.payvand.com/news/07/jan/1295.html "Ahmadinejad's Achilles Heel: The Iranian Economy"</ref>

===Energy===
{{main|Energy in Iran|Ministry of Petroleum of Iran|Nuclear programme of Iran}}
].]]
Iran ranks second in the world in ] reserves and third in ] reserves. In 2005 Iran spent US$4 billion dollars on fuel imports, because of ] and inefficient domestic use.<ref></ref> Oil industry output averaged 4 million barrels per day in 2005, compared with the peak of 6 million barrels per day reached in 1974. In the early 2000s, industry ] was increasingly inefficient because of technological lags. Few exploratory ] were drilled in 2005.

In 2004, a large share of Iran’s natural gas reserves were untapped. The addition of new ] stations and the streamlining of conventional ]- and oil-fired stations increased installed capacity to 33,000 megawatts. Of that amount, about 75 percent was based on natural gas, 18 percent on oil, and 7 percent on hydroelectric power. In 2004, Iran opened its first ]-powered and geothermal plants, and the first ] thermal plant was to come online in 2009. ] trends and intensified industrialization have caused ] demand to grow by 8 percent per year. The government’s goal of 53,000 megawatts of installed capacity by 2010 is to be reached by bringing on line new gas-fired plants financed by independent power producers, including those with ] backing, and by adding hydroelectric and ]. Iran’s first ] at ], built with assistance from ], was not online by 2006. In 2005, Iran’s electricity ] were greater than its ] by about 500 million kilowatt-hours; exchanges were made with all neighboring countries except Iraq.<ref>http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Iran.pdf</ref>

===Industrial production===
The authorities so as the private sector have put in the past 15 years an emphasis on the local production of domestic-consumption oriented goods such as home appliances, cars, agricultural products, pharmaceutical, etc. Nowadays, Iran possesses a good manufacturing industry, despite ] imposed by foreign countries. However, all nationalized industries such as the ]s have often been managed in the worse way, making them ineffective and uncompetitive with years. Today, the government is trying to ] these industries, such as ] Mineral water company or some down stream industries of the ], and despite some successes, there are still several problems to be overcome such as the lagging corruption with the public sector (and therefore, nationalized industries) and lack of competitiveness.

Globally, Iran has leading manufacture industry in the fields of car-manufacture and transportations, construction materials, home appliances, food and agricultural goods, armaments, pharmaceuticals, information technology and petrochemicals.

===Tourism===
:''See also: {{wikitravel|Iran}}''
<!-- Deleted image removed: ] -->
The ] declined dramatically during the war with Iraq in the 1980s but has subsequently revived. The majority of the 300,000 tourist ] granted in 2003 were obtained by Asian ], who presumably intended to visit important ] sites in ] and ]. About 1,659,000 foreign ] visited Iran in 2004; most came from ]n countries, including the republics of ], while a small share came from the countries of the ] and ]. Several organized tours from ], ], and other ]an countries come to Iran annually to visit ] sites and ]. The government reported that in 2004 some 4 million tourists, including over 2 million Iranians on vacation, spent nearly US$2 billion in Iran, an increase of 10 percent over 2003. However, in the early 2000s the industry still faced serious limitations in ], ], regulatory ], and personnel ].<ref>http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Iran.pdf</ref>

Iran currently ranks 68th in ] revenues worldwide. Iran with attractive natural and historical sites is rated among the 10 most touristic countries in the world. Close to 1.8 percent of national employment is generated in the tourism sector which is slated to increase to 10 percent in the next five years.<ref>http://www.farsinet.com/travel2iran/</ref> Iranian ] is one of the unique and distinctive features of its people.

==Demography==
{{main|Demography of Iran|Iranian peoples|Health care in Iran}}
]
Iran is a diverse country consisting of people of many religions and ethnic backgrounds cemented by the ]. ], the founders of ], constitute the majority of the ]. Seventy percent of present-day Iranians are ], native speakers of ] who are descended from the ] (]) tribes that began migrating from Central Asia into what is now Iran in the second millennium&nbsp;BCE. The majority of the population speaks one of the ], in addition to the official language, ]. The main ethnic groups are ] (51%), ] (24%), ] and ] (8%), ] (7%), ] (3%), ] (2%), ] (2%), ] (2%),], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ],],],],] and others (1%).<ref name="ciaa">{{cite web |url=http://cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ir.html |title="Iran" |first=CIA |last=World Factbook |accessdate=2006-04-14}}</ref>
]
Iran's population increased dramatically during the latter half of the twentieth century, reaching about 70 million by 2006. In recent years, however, Iran's ] has dropped significantly.<ref name="una">{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/Depts/escap/pop/journal/v10n1a1.htm |title="A New Direction in Population Policy and Family Planning in the Islamic Republic of Iran" |first=United Nations |last=Asia-Pacific Population Journal |accessdate=2006-04-14}}</ref> Studies show that Iran's rate of population growth will continue to slow until it stabilizes, by the year 2050, above 90 million.<ref name="bureau">{{cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/ipc/idbsum.pl?cty=IR |title="IDB Summary Demographic Data for Iran" |first=Government of the U.S.A. |last=Census Bureau |accessdate=2006-04-14}}, predicts 82 million in 2050, underestimating today's population by 8%</ref><ref name="payvand">{{cite web |url=http://www.payvand.com/news/04/aug/1017.html |title="Iran's population growth rate falls to 1.5 percent: UNFP" |first=Payvand.com |last=Iran News |accessdate=2006-10-18}}</ref> More than two-thirds of the population is under the age of 30, and the literacy rate is 79%.<ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ir.html#People</ref>

The number of ] is estimated at some four million people who emigrated to ], ], and ], mostly after the ] in ]. Iran also hosts one of the largest ] population in the world, with more than one million refugees, mostly from ] and ]. Since 2006, Iranian officials have been working with the ] and Afghan officials for their ].<ref name="bbcb">{{cite web |url=http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/452b78394.html |title="Tripartite meeting on returns to Afghanistan" |first=] |last=United Nations |accessdate=2006-04-14}}</ref>

Most Iranians are Muslims; 90% belong to the ] branch of ], the official state religion, and about 8% belong to the ] branch, mainly Kurds and Iran's Balochi Sunni. The remaining 2% are non-Muslim ], including ], ], ], ],]s, ]is, ], ], and ].<ref name="ciaa"/> The latter three ] religions are officially recognized and protected, and have reserved seats in the '']'' (Parliament). However the ], Iran's largest religious minority, is not officially recognized, and has been persecuted during its existence in Iran. Since the 1979 revolution the ] has increased with executions, the denial of civil rights and liberties, and the denial of access to higher education and employment.<ref name="fdih1">{{cite web |date=2003-08-01 |title=Discrimination against religious minorities in Iran |author=International Federation for Human Rights |publisher=fdih.org |accessdate=2007-03-19 |url=http://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/ir0108a.pdf}}</ref><ref name="ihrdc">{{cite web | author= Iran Human Rights Documentation Center |publisher=Iran Human Rights Documentation Center | title= A Faith Denied: The Persecution of the Bahá'ís of Iran | date= 2007 |accessdate=2007-03-19|url=http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/pdfs/Reports/bahai_report.pdf}}</ref> Currently, the Islamic Republic of Iran is noted for significant ], despite efforts by human right activists, writers, ]s and some political parties. Human rights violations include governmental impunity, restricted ], ], execution of ], and in some cases torture.<ref>{{en}} par le cabinet Alavi and Associates</ref>

According to the ], the government is required to provide every citizen of the country with access to ] that covers ], ], old age, ], ], calamities, ] and medical treatment and ] services. This is covered by ] and income derived from public contributions. The ] in the last report on health systems ranks Iran's performance on health level 58th, and its overall ] performance 93rd among the world's nations.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.who.int/whr/2000/en/annex10_en.pdf| title=The World Health Report 2000| first=]| last=WHO| accessdate=2006-10-12}}</ref>

==Military==
] strike/trainer jet.]]
{{main|Military of Iran|Iranian defense industry}}
{{see also|Military history of Iran}}
The Islamic Republic of Iran has two kinds of ]: the regular forces ], ], ] and the ] (IRGC), totalling about 545,000 active troops. Iran also has around 350,000 Reserve Force totalling around 900,000 trained troops.<ref>] Military Balance 2006, Routledge for the IISS, London, 2006, p.187</ref>

Iran also has a paramilitary, volunteer militia force within the IRGC, called the ], which includes about 90,000 full-time, active-duty uniformed members, and a further 11 million men and women who could be mobilized<ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/world/iran/basij.htm]</ref> This is the largest number of troop mobilization in the world.

Iran's military capabilities are kept largely secret. Since 1992, it has produced its own ], ], ]s, ]s, and ].<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,156160,00.html</ref> In recent years, official announcements have highlighted the development of weapons such as ] missile, ], ], ], ], ], and a variety of ] (UAVs).

The ] is currently Iran's most advanced ]. It is a domestically-developed and produced ] missile with an unknown range. The ] solid-fuelled missile is a program which is supposed to be Iran's first missile to bring ] into orbit. In 2005, Iran's military spending represented 3.3% of the GDP or $91 per capita, the lowest figure of the ] nations.<ref>http://www.payvand.com/news/06/jun/1011.html</ref> Iran's military doctrine is to ] its territorial integrity only.<ref>]</ref>

==Culture==
] of ] ("Hafez's Anthology"), published 1969.]]
] was translated into all official ] languages in 1971.<ref> The Iranian.com. Retrieved Januay 12, 2007.</ref>]]
{{main|Culture of Iran}}
{{seealso|Iranian media}}
Iranian culture has long been a predominant culture of the ] and ], with ] considered the language of intellectuals during much of the second millennium CE, and the language of religion and the populace before that.
The Iranian New Year (]) is celebrated on ] from ] in the west to ] in the east. It is celebrated as the first day of spring. Norouz was nominated as one of ]'s ] in 2004.<ref name="culture">{{cite web |url=http://www.payvand.com/news/04/jul/1090.html |title="Nowrouz Vital Meeting to be Held in Tehran" |first=Payvand.com |last=Iran News |accessdate=2006-04-14}}</ref>

Iranian customs and traditions often seem complex to the foreigner, but after further study reveal a rich and often intensely warm characteristic. For example, respect for the elderly and hospitality for foreigners, remain highly visible parts of ], while the highly familial nuclear structure of Iran's society is in stark contrast to many western societies.

The Sassanid era, encompassing the length of the ] period, is considered to be one of the most important and influential historical periods in Iran, and had a major impact on the world. Persia influenced Roman civilization considerably during Sassanid times,<ref>J. B. Bury, p.109.</ref> their cultural influence extending far beyond the empire's territorial borders, reaching as far as Western Europe,<ref>Durant.</ref> Africa,<ref></ref> China and India<ref>Sarfaraz, pp.329–330.</ref> and also playing a prominent role in the formation of both European and Asiatic medieval art.<ref></ref> This influence carried forward to the ]. The dynasty's unique and aristocratic culture transformed the Islamic conquest and destruction of Iran into a Persian Renaissance.<ref>Durant.</ref> Most of what later became known as Islamic learning, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and the ] were taken from the Sassanid Persians in to the broader Muslim world.<ref> http://www.parstimes.com/history/title.html</ref><ref>http://www.levity.com/alchemy/islam16.html</ref>

The ] remains "the world's oldest ] declaration"<ref name="TharoorInterview"/><ref></ref>, predating the ] by one millennium<ref>]. ''Lost Wisdom''. 2004. Mage Publishers. p.12. ISBN 0934211906</ref>, and women today compose more than half of the incoming classes for universities around the country and increasingly continue to play pivotal roles in society. These women are the inheritors of a heritage in which women ], ], ], ], ], ], and even ] in ancient beliefs. The state also actively monitors the ], which has become enormously popular among the Iranian youth. Iran is now the world's fourth largest country of ].<ref></ref>

===Persian language===
{{main|Persian language}}
Persian is an ] tongue belonging to the ] or ] branch of the ] family of languages. The oldest records in ] date back to the great Persian Empire of the 6th century BCE.<ref>{{cite book | title=The Languages of the World | year=2002 | last=Katzner | first=Kenneth | publisher=Routledge | pages=163 | isbn=0415250048}}</ref> The known history of the Persian language can be divided into three distinct periods:Old Persian, Parthian and Middle Persian and New Persian.

Old Persian supposedly evolved from Proto-Indo-Iranian on the western wing in the Iranian plateau. The first known written evidence of Persian appears with the rise of the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great of the Achaemenid dynasty in 550 BCE.

During the Parthian and Sassanid empires, the morphology of the language was simplified from the complex conjugation and declension system of Old Persian to the almost completely regularized morphology and rigid syntax of Middle Persian.

The Islamic conquest of Persia marks the beginning of the modern history of Persian language and literature. It is known as the golden era of Persian. The ] commenced a synthesis of the Arabic and Iranian tongues.

By the tenth century, the effects of this diffusion threatened to erase native Persian entirely, as Persian writers, scientists, and scholars elected to write in Arabic (see ]), the ] of the day. This prompted ] to compose the '']'' (Persian: ''Book of Kings''), Iran's national epic, entirely in native Persian. This gave rise to a strong reassertion of Iranian national identity, and is in part responsible for the continued existence of Persian as a separate language.

{{cquote|''<center>بسی رنج بردم در این سال سی<br/>
عجم زنده کردم بدین پارسی</center><p>"For thirty years, I endured much pain and strife,<br/>with Persian I gave the ] verve and life"''}}<center>'']'' (935&ndash;1020)</center>

====Poetry====
{{main|Persian literature}}
{{seealso|music of Iran|Persian miniature}}
[[Image:Khattati2.jpg|thumb|170px|Manuscript depicting Persian poetry written in the sixteenth-
century ] style called "shekasteh".]]
] Persian manuscript copy dated 1429, from ], depicts the Jackal trying to lead the Lion astray.]]
Persian poetry is recognized worldwide and has served as an inspiration for writers and poets around the world. Iran's literary tradition is rich and diverse, However only a few names such as ] and ] have surfaced among western popular readership, even though the likes of ] and ] are considered by many Iranians to be just as influential. Both ] and ], for example were practitioners of ], and are quoted by Iranians with passion.

So strong is the Persian aptitude for versifying everyday expressions that one can encounter poetry in almost every classical work, whether from Persian literature, science, or metaphysics. For example, almost half of ]'s medical writings are known to be versified. Works of the early era of Persian poetry are characterized by strong court patronage, an extravagance of ], and what is known as سبک فاخر ("exalted in style").

''"Love’s nationality is separate from all other religions,''<br/>
''The lover’s religion and nationality is the Beloved (God).''<br/>
''The lover’s cause is separate from all other causes''.<br/>
''Love is the astrolabe of God’s mysteries"''.—].<ref>{{cite book | last =Naini | first =Majid| title =The Mysteries of the Universe and Rumi's Discoveries on the Majestic Path of Love | authorlink=Majid Naini}} </ref>

<big>همه عالم تن است و ایران دل</big><br/>
<big>نیست گوینده زین قیاس خجل</big>
<br/>

''"Iran is the Heart and all the universe, The Body,''<br/>
''Of this claim, the poet feels no regret or humility."''
—]

<big>بنى آدم اعضاء يک پیکرند<br/>که در آفرينش ز يک گوهرند</big><br/>
<big>چو عضوى بدرد آورد روزگار<br/>دگر عضوها را نماند قرار</big>
<br/>
''"Of one Essence is the human race''<br/>
''thus has Creation put the base,''<br/>
''One Limb impacted is sufficient''<br/>
''For all Others to feel the Mace."''—] <small>Inscribed on the entrance of ]' Hall of Nations</small>

===Architecture===
{{main|Iranian architecture}}
] was one of the many monuments built in the Safavid era. It was the ] at the time of its construction.]]
The main building types of classical ] are the ] and the ]. Persian architecture display their extraordinary skills in making massive domes. Domes can be seen frequently in the structure of bazaars and mosques. Iranian domes are distinguished for their height, proportion of elements, beauty of form, and roundness of the dome stem. The outer surfaces of the domes are mostly mosaic faced, and create a magical view. The architecture makes use of abundant symbolic geometry. Persians were among the first to use ], ], and ] in architecture.

] left a profound influence on the architecture of old civilizations. Professor ] wrote: ''Architecture in Iran has at least 6,000 years of continuous history, The supreme Iranian art, in the proper meaning of the word, has always been its architecture. The supremacy of architecture applies to both pre-and post-Islamic periods.'' examples of which can be seen from ] to north ] and Chinese borders, and from ] to ]."Each of the periods of ]ites, ]s, ]ns, and ]s were creators of great architecture that over the ages has spread wide and far to other cultures being adopted.

Iran ranks 7th among countries in the world with the most archeological architectural ruins and attractions from antiquity as recognized by ].<ref>http://www.american.edu/ted/iran-tour.htm</ref> Fifteen of ]'s ]s are creations of Iranian architecture and the ] was identified as one of the ].

===Iranian art===
]
{{main|Iranian art}}
The ] - consisting of the modern nations Iran, ], ], ], ], ] and surrounding regions - is home to one of the richest ] heritages in world history and encompasses many disciplines including ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. The art of carpet weaving in Iran has its roots in the culture and customs of its people and their instinctive feelings. Weavers mix elegant patterns with a myriad of colors. The ] is a re-enactment of the ]: brimming with florae, birds, and beasts.

===Cinema===
{{main|Cinema of Iran}}
Iranian cinema has continued to thrive in modern Iran, and many Iranian directors have garnered worldwide recognition for their work. (Iranian movies have won over three hundred awards in the past twenty-five years.) One of the best-known directors is ]. The Iranian media is a mixture of private and state-owned, but books and movies must be approved by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance before being released to the public.

===Cuisine===
{{main|Iranian cuisine}}
The cuisine of Iran is diverse, with each province featuring dishes, as well as culinary traditions and styles, distinct to their region. ] is not spicy. Most meals consist of a large serving of seasoned rice and an accompanying course, typically consists of meat, poultry, or fish. Herbs are used frequently. Onions and garlic are normally used in the preparation of the accompanying course, but are also served separately during meals, either in raw or pickled form.

==Science and technology==
<!--Images start:
-->]. Throughout the ], the ] and ] of the ancient Greeks and Persians were furthered and preserved within Persia. During this period, Persia became a center for the manufacture of ]s, retaining its reputation for quality well into the nineteenth century.]]
], a Persian astronomer. The image depicts an ].]]<!--
---(Images end)-->
{{main|Science in Iran}}
{{see also|Education in Iran|Higher education in Iran}}
Science in Iran, as the country itself, has a considerable history. From the ] to the ], to the ], to the ] and ], Iran has reached scientific achievements and influenced world cultures for thousands of years. Iranians contributed significantly to the current understanding of ], ], ], ], and ]. To mention just a few, Persians first invented ] and discovered ].

Iran strives to revive the golden age of Persian science. The country has increased its publication output nearly tenfold from 1996 through 2004, and has been ranked first in terms of output growth rate followed by ].<ref>http://experts.about.com/q/Economics-2301/economic.htm</ref>

Despite the limitations in funds, facilities, and international collaborations, Iranian scientists remain highly productive in several experimental fields as ], ], ], and ]. Iranian scientists are also helping construct the ], a detector for ]'s ] due to come online in 2007.

In the biomedical sciences, Iran's ] is a ] chair in biology,<ref>http://www.ibb.ut.ac.ir/</ref> and in late 2006, Iranian scientists successfully ]d a sheep by somatic cell nuclear transfer, at the Rouyan research center in Isfahan.<ref> The first successfully cloned animal in Iran</ref>

The ] was launched in the ]s. Iran's current facilities includes several research reactors, a ] mine, an almost complete commercial ], and uranium processing facilities that include a ]. The ] launched its first ] named ] in 2006, and a "space rocket" in 2007,<ref></ref> which aimed at improving science and research for university students.<ref>. NewsMax.com, ], ].</ref>

Iran is now a world leader in theoretical disciplines like ].<ref></ref> Iranian scientists are a significant portion of international scientific community. In 1960, ] invented first ]. In 1973 ] has been developed by ]. Iranian cardiologist, ] invented the first ] and developed it further afterwards. ] was discovered by ] and introduced to medical community. ] was proposed by ], Iranian string theorist and his co-worker ]. KPZ equation has been named after ], notable Iranian physicist.

==Sports==
{{main|Sports in Iran}}
], Iran's famous venue for Iranian football (soccer).]]
]. The ski resort of Dizin is situated to the north of ] in the ] range.]]
With two thirds of Iran's population under the age of 25, sports constitutes a highly active portion of Iran's society, both traditional and modern. Iran hence was the birthplace of sports such as ],<ref></ref> ],<ref name="Persian-journal">, ''Persian Journal'', ], 2004. Retrieved on ], 2006.</ref> ], and even indigenous modern martial arts styles such as ''Shinzen Karate''&nbsp;<ref>http://www.shinzenkarate.de/English/Kancho.htm</ref> and ''Kan-zen-ryu''.<ref>http://www.kanzenryu.de/</ref> ] was furthermore the first city in the ] to host the ] in 1974.

Today, the most popular sport in Iran is ], with ] being a ] finalist three times, and having won the ] on three occasions. However, ] is traditionally referred to as Iran's ]. Former ] champion ] wrestled as an amateur in Iran before moving to the United States.

Iran is home to several unique skiing resorts,<ref></ref> with the ] resort being the world's fifth-highest ski resort (3,730&nbsp;m at its highest station) situated only fifteen minutes away from Tehran. Being a mountainous country, Iran offers enthusiasts abundant challenges for hiking, rock climbing,<ref>http://www.rockclimbing.com/routes/Asia/Iran/</ref> and mountain climbing.<ref>http://www.mountainzone.ir/</ref><ref>http://www.abc-of-mountaineering.com/middle-east/iran/</ref><ref>http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=News&id=2062458</ref>

Women are primarily active in ] and ], but even in ], female drivers participate in national rally tournaments, such as Iran's successful female driver ].

==See also==
{{portal|Iran|Flag of Iran.svg|48}}
{{Iran-related topics}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
*], ''Persian Pageant: A Cultural History of Iran,'' Arya Press, Calcutta, 1950.
*Michael Barker, , ''Znet'', 18 December 2006.

==External links==
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