Iran

Iran

POPULATION 66,622,704
SHIITE MUSLIM 91 percent
SUNNI MUSLIM 7.8 percent
OTHER 1.2 percent

Country Overview

Introduction

The Islamic Republic of Iran is a country in southwestern Asia. It is bordered on the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan, on the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, on the west by Iraq and Turkey, and on the north by Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Caspian Sea, and Turkmenistan. Iran is located on a plateau that is ringed by mountains. Much of the country is dry, and more than half is wasteland. There are important oil deposits, especially in the southwest. The capital is Tehran. The official language is Persian (Farsi).

Iran (Persia) is an ancient land, with a rich historical and religious background. It was the birthplace of Zoroastrianism, and throughout history it has been a host to several religions. Iran's religious mosaic is reflected in the diversity of its religious monuments. These include the remains of prehistoric temples of Anahita, a goddess of fertility, in the provinces of Kerman, Fars, and Kermanshah; the remnants of Zoroastrian pilgrimage sites and fire temples, as well as those still active in Yazd and Kerman; a shrine in the city of Shush dedicated to the biblical prophet Daniel; the many historic Christian churches in the provinces of Azerbaijan and Esfahan; and several Islamic monuments.

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