Iran
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Name: The Republic of Iran (Jomhuri – ye – Eslami – ye – Iran) Introduction: Persia is the old name of Iran in sixth century BC. It was the centre of a great empire and was ruled by the Arabs, Parthians, Seljuk, Turks and Mongols. From sixth century AD the country was ruled by a Shah and in 1979 the last Shah was overthrown by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini leader of Shiite Muslims in Iran. Thus Iran became a Islamic Republic. According to the new Constitution ultimate political authority is with the learned religious scholar known as Supreme Leader who is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts. In 1980 – 88 Gulf war in between Iran and Iraq proved costly to both sides. Location: Eastern most country of the Middle East in between Iraq and Pakistan. Borders: Gulf of Oman the Persian Gulf, Caspian Sea, Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. Area: 1.648 million sq km Capital: Tehran Currency: Rial (IRR) Terrain: Rugged mountain ranges in the west and North cover 25% of the land. Central basin has 2 high Plateaus and 2 vast Deserts. Lowland borders the Caspian Sea and the Northern part of the Persian Gulf with discontinuous plains along the coast. Climate: It is arid or semi arid, subtropical along the Caspian coast. Summers are hot and winters are very cold. Rainfall is about 12 inches in a year with less in desert and more near Caspian Sea. Population: 68,688,433 (July 2006 est) Population Growth Rate: 1.1% (2006 est) Population below Poverty Line: 40% (2002 est) Life Expectancy: 70.26 years – total population, 68.86 years – male population and 71.74 years – female population. Nationality: Iranian Ethnic Group: Persians 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani %, Kurd 7%, Arabs 3%, Lur 2%, Balogh 2%, Turks 2% and others. Religion: Muslims 98% and others 2% Language: Persian Literacy: 79.4% - total population, 85.6% - male and 73% - female. Government: Theocratic Republic Independence: 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran was formed) National Holiday: Republic Day – April, Revolution day – 11 Feb. (1929), Noruz (new year day) –21 March and Constitutional Monarchy day – 5 August (1925). Constitution: 2-3 Dec 1979, revised in 1989 to expand powers of the president over the prime minister. Executive Branch: Supreme leader (Khomeini) is the chief of the state. President is the head of the government. The Council of ministers are selected by the president with legislative approval. Executive branch also include Assembly of experts (popularly elected body of 86 religious scholars who have power of determining the succession of the Supreme leader). Expediency Council is the advisory board with permanent members over 40 in numbers they are supervisory authority over executive, judicial and legislative branch and also resolve issues on which the Majlis and the Council of Guardians disagree. Council of Guardians is a 12 member board made up of 6 Clerics (chosen by the Supreme leader) and 6 Jurists selected by Majlis from the list given by the Judiciary for 6 years term and determine that legislation is both constitution and faithful to Islamic Law. Legislative Branch: Unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majlis – e – Shura – ye Eslami or Majlis and the members are elected by popular vote for 4 year term. Judicial Branch: The Supreme Court and the 4 member high council have a single head with the joint responsibilities. Military Branch: Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh). Ground Forces, Navy and Air Force. Flag: Three equal bands of green on top, white in middle and red it the bottom. The national Emblem is in the center of the white band. It is a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip. Allah Akbar (god is Great) in white, in Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and along the top edge of the red band. Economy: Various wars and revolutions have disrupted Iran’s economy. Most of the economic activities are controlled by the state and depends mostly on oil sector and most of the economy proportion is devised to the development of weapons of mass destruction. Exports: Petroleum 80% other includes chemical and petrochemical products, fruits, nuts and carpets. Imports: Food stuff, consumer goods, industrial raw material and intermediate goods capital goods, technical service and military supplies. Internet Country Code: .ir Calling Code: + 98 Motto: Esteqlal, azadi, jomhuri - ye eslam in Persian which means “Independence, Freedom, the Islamic Republic”. Anthem: Sorud – e –Melli – e Jomhoori – e Eslami – e Iran. Coat of Arm: It is since 1979 and has stylized Arabic script of word Allah. Shape is of a tulip and symbolizes the people who died for Iran. It consists of 4 crescents and a sword and the 4 crescent form the word Allah. |