Introduction
Background
Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a religious scholar known as the Supreme Leader. Relations between Iran and the West remain tense, due in part to concerns over its nuclear program.
Geography
Area
total : 1,648,195 sq km
land: 1,531,595 sq km
water: 116,600 sq km
Climate
mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur
People and Society
Population
total: 88,386,937
Ethnic groups
Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen, and Turkic tribes
Languages
Persian Farsi (official), Azeri and other Turkic dialects, Kurdish, Gilaki and Mazandarani, Luri, Balochi, Arabic
Religions
Muslim (official) 98.5%, Christian 0.7%, Baha'i 0.3%, agnostic 0.3%, other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Hindu) 0.2% (2020 est.)
Population growth rate
0.88% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
theocratic republic
Capital
name: Tehran
Executive branch
chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989)
head of government: President Masoud PEZESHKIAN (assumed office on 30 July 2024)
Legislative branch
summary: unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly (290 seats)
Economy
Economic overview
traditionally state-controlled economy but reforming state-owned financial entities; strong oil/gas, agricultural, and service sectors; recent massive inflation due to exchange rate depreciation, international sanctions, and investor uncertainty; increasing poverty
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.44 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.373 trillion (2022 est.)
$1.323 trillion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$16,200 (2023 est.)
$15,500 (2022 est.)
$15,000 (2021 est.)
Exports
$110.882 billion (2022 est.)
$82.015 billion (2021 est.)
$46.568 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners
China 36%, Turkey 20%, Kuwait 6%, Pakistan 5%, India 4% (2022)
Exports - commodities
ethylene polymers, refined copper, acyclic alcohols, aluminum, natural gas (2022)
Imports
$102.47 billion (2022 est.)
$77.33 billion (2021 est.)
$58.461 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners
China 28%, UAE 19%, Brazil 13%, Turkey 9%, India 6% (2022)
Imports - commodities
broadcasting equipment, corn, soybeans, vehicle parts/accessories, rice (2022)
Page last updated: Tuesday, August 27, 2024
