Middle East and North Africa

Iran
Last reviewed: 21 December 2011

Country information

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Area: 1.648 million sq km (636,296 sq miles)
Population: 75.1 million (2010 estimate)
Capital City: Tehran (population (2006 census) approx 7.5 million)
People: The majority are Persian, but there is a significant Azeri minority. Other ethnic groups include Kurds, Arabs, Lurs, Baluchis and Turkmen
Languages: Persian (Farsi) is the national language. Azeri is the next most widely spoken language, most Azeri speakers living in the northwest around Tabriz. Other minority languages include Kurdish, Arabic, Luri and Baluchi
Religion(s): The official religion is Shi'a Islam. The majority of the population are Muslims, approximately 89% are Shi'a, 10% are Sunni, mainly Kurds. The rest are mainly Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian or Bahá'í
Currency: £1 = 17372 (Nov 2011) Iranian Rials (10 Rials=1 Toman)
Government: Islamic Republic
Head of State: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i
President: Dr Mahmud Ahmadinejad
Foreign Minister: Ali-Akbar Salehi
Membership of international groups/organisations: see International Relations for more details