05/03/2007 11:42 AMCIA - The World Factbook -- IranPage 1 of 15https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ir.html Select a Country or Location Iran Click to enlarge Introduction Geography People Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational IssuesHome Reference Maps Appendixes Print-Friendly PageThis page was last updated on 17 April, 2007Legend: Definition Field Listing Rank Order Introduction IranTop of Page05/03/2007 11:42 AMCIA - The World Factbook -- IranPage 2 of 15https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ir.htmlBackground: Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after theruling monarchy was overthrown and the shah was forced into exile.Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government withultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred tocommonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, isaccountable only to the Assembly of Experts. Iranian-US relations have beenstrained since a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran on 4November 1979 and held it until 20 January 1981. During 1980-88, Iran foughta bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the PersianGulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces between1987 and 1988. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism for itsactivities in Lebanon and elsewhere in the world and remains subject to USeconomic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement.Following the election of the reformist Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohammad KHATAMIas president in 1997 and similarly a reformist Majles (parliament) in 2000, acampaign to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction wasinitiated. The movement floundered as conservative politicians prevented reformmeasures from being enacted, increased repressive measures, and made electoralgains against reformers. Starting with nationwide municipal elections in 2003and continuing through Majles elections in 2004, conservatives reestablishedcontrol over Iran's elected government institutions, which culminated with theAugust 2005 inauguration of an ultra-conservative layman as president. Geography IranTop of PageLocation: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the CaspianSea, between Iraq and PakistanGeographiccoordinates: 32 00 N, 53 00 EMap references: Middle EastArea: total: 1.648 million sq km land: 1.636 million sq km water: 12,000 sq kmArea -comparative: slightly larger than AlaskaLand boundaries: total: 5,440 km border countries: Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km,Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km05/03/2007 11:42 AMCIA - The World Factbook -- IranPage 3 of 15https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ir.htmlCoastline: 2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements or median lines in the PersianGulf continental shelf: natural prolongationClimate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coastTerrain: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small,discontinuous plains along both coastsElevationextremes: lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 mNatural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc,sulfurLand use: arable land: 9.78% permanent crops: 1.29% other: 88.93% (2005)Irrigated land: 76,500 sq km (2003)Natural hazards: periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakesEnvironment -current issues: air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refineryoperations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification;oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation(salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from rawsewage and industrial waste; urbanizationEnvironment -internationalagreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, MarineLife Conservation05/03/2007 11:42 AMCIA - The World Factbook -- IranPage 4 of 15https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ir.htmlGeography - note: strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vitalmaritime pathways for crude oil transport People IranTop of PagePopulation: 65,397,521 (July 2007 est.)Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.2% (male 7,783,794/female 7,385,721) 15-64 years: 71.4% (male 23,636,883/female 23,088,934) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 1,701,727/female 1,800,462) (2007 est.)Median age: total: 25.8 years male: 25.6 years female: 26 years (2007 est.)Population growthrate: 0.663% (2007 est.)Birth rate: 16.57 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)Death rate: 5.65 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)Net migration rate: -4.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.054 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.024 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.945 male(s)/female total population: 1.026 male(s)/female (2007 est.)Infant mortalityrate: total: 38.12 deaths/1,000 live births male: 38.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 37.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)Life expectancy atbirth: total population: 70.56 years male: 69.12 years female: 72.07 years (2007 est.)Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (2007 est.)05/03/2007 11:42 AMCIA - The World Factbook -- IranPage 5 of 15https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ir.htmlHIV/AIDS - adultprevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2001 est.)HIV/AIDS - peopleliving withHIV/AIDS: 31,000 (2001 est.)HIV/AIDS - deaths: 800 (2003 est.)Nationality: noun: Iranian(s) adjective: IranianEthnic groups: Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%Religions: Muslim 98% (Shi'a 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish,Christian, and Baha'i) 2%Languages: Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%,Luri 2%, Balochi 1%,