| Country |
Iran |
|
| Region |
Middle East |
| Area (sq km) |
1,648,000 |
| Area (sq mile) |
636,293 |
| Border |
Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan |
| Population |
66,429,284 |
| Nationality |
Iranian(s) |
| Ethnic |
Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Balcoh 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1% |
| Religion |
Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 9%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 2% |
| Language |
Persian and Persian dialects, Turkic and Turkic dialects, Kurdish, Luri, Balochi, Arabic, Turkish, other |
| Literacy |
77% |
| Government |
Theocratic republic |
| Capital |
Tehran |
| Leader |
Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-Khamenei (since June 4, 1989); President Mahmud Ahmadi-Nejad (since August 3, 2005) |
| Currency |
Iranian rial (IRR) |
| Independence Day |
April 1, 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed) |
| National Holiday |
Republic Day (April 1, 1979), Revolution Day (Feb. 11, 1979), New Year's Day (March 21), Constitutional Monarchy Day (Aug. 5, 1925) |
|
