IRAN

HISTORY

• Formerly known as Persia
• Extremely old civilization
• First sellement: 4000 BC
• Medes unified Iran (625 BC)

CULTURE

• Muslim Religion (Sunni)
• Class based, traditional, patriarchal
• Language: Persian, Azeri, Arabic
• Bread: important food
• Gender equality

GOVERNMENT

• Presidential democracy
• Islamic ideology
• Parlement
• Several Sub councils/assembly
• Ali Khamenei

GEOGRAPHY

• 636,400 sq miles
• Borders: Iraq, Afgan, Pakas.
• Iraq armed conflict
• 15 mountain ranges: Zagros Mts.
• Largest: Zagros Mts. 4000+ m

ECONOMY

• Oil and gas production
• 15% of gas reserves
• High GDP
• Highly controlled (gov.)
• Corrupt

CURRENT ISSUE

• Terrorism
• Bombings, murders
• Sunni(muslim) extremists
• Taliban, Al Qaeda, Mujahedin-e-Khalq,
• Fadayan-e Islam, Jundallah