The Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran) is a country located in the southwestern part of Asia, bordered on the north by the Caspian Sea and on the south by the Persian Gulf (or Arabian Gulf, as Arab countries call it). Iran's eastern and western borders border several countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq and Turkey.
Iran is one of the largest and most populated countries in the Middle East and Central Asia. It has large reserves of oil and natural gas. The main city and capital is Tehran. The form of government is an Islamic republic. It is a unique form of government in which Islamic law and religious institutions play a significant role in the political system.
An important aspect of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the adherence to Islamic principles in government institutions and legislation. An important feature of an Islamic republic is the presence of a supreme leader, who is the highest religious and political authority in the country. The Supreme Leader has authority over the army, the judiciary and other key government bodies.
In addition to the supreme leader, Iran has a president and a parliament, which is formed based on the vote of citizens. The president is elected for a four-year term and is the head of government.
Climate. Iran has a varied climate due to its geographical location and varied landscapes, including mountains, deserts and coastal areas. The coast of the Caspian Sea and the northwestern provinces have a climate close to the Mediterranean. The central and southern parts of Iran, including the Dasht-e-Kavir and Dasht-e-Lut deserts, have a hot desert climate. Mountainous areas have harsh winters and cool summers. Some regions, such as the capital Tehran, have a moderate climate with cool winters and warm summers. There is less precipitation here than on the coast of the Caspian Sea, but more than in desert areas. The eastern provinces of Iran, close to Afghanistan and Pakistan, have a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. These areas may also be prone to sandstorms.
Number. The population in 2023 was 87,590,873.
Language. The official and national language is Persian. Used in official documents, education and media. Besides Persian, there are other languages and dialects in Iran, such as: Azerbaijani, Kurdish, Arabic, Lur and other dialects.
Important sectors of Iran's economy are energy, oil and gas, agriculture and the automobile industry. The country has huge reserves of oil and natural gas, and the oil and gas industry plays an important role in the country's economy. Oil and gas exports are Iran's main source of foreign exchange earnings. Agriculture occupies one of the important niches in the state and provides food for the population. Grains, fruits, nuts and other products are produced here.
Iran is an industrial country, but has been under international sanctions imposed by various countries and international organizations for a very long time. These sanctions limit the country's access to world markets, investments and financial resources, which negatively affects the country's economy and development. High inflation worsens the purchasing power of the population and reduces living standards.
Unemployment, especially among youth, remains a serious problem in the state. Corruption, political and religious tensions, restrictions on freedom of speech, media and human rights have drawn criticism from international organizations and human rights groups. All this affects the development of the country and leads to social tensions.
