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Middle East at a Glance |
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Official Name: The Islamic Republic of Iran Capital: Tehran History: Iran has been traditionally known as Persia. Iranian prehistory dates back to the middle Palaeolithic times. Iran was a major stop on the famous trade Silk Road. Despite a history of
turmoil and foreign invaders, Iran has maintained its national and cultural
identity. In 1979, the monarchy regime fell during the revolutionary
movement. The nation became an Islamic republic system of government at a
referendum.
Nationality: Iranian
Size: 1,648,195 square kilometers (163, 660 square miles) Iran is 16th largest country in the world. Coastline: 3,180 kilometres (1,976 miles). Major Cities: Tehran is the country’s largest city and capital. The other major cities are: Hamadan, Isfahan, Kerman, Kermanshah, Mashhad, Rashat. Shiraz, Tabriz, and Yazd. Major islands in the Persian Gulf are: : Qeshm (1,491 sq. km.), Kish (89.7 sq. km.) and Lavan (76 sq. km.). Rivers: The only navigable river is Karun flowing into the Persian Gulf. There are other large rivers in the mainland. Mountains: Alborz, Zagros Deserts: Dasht-e Lut and Dasht-e Kavir. Neighbours and Borderline: Iran shares 5,440 kilometers (3,378 miles) of border with neighbouring countries. These boundaries include Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan. Seas: The Persian Gulf in the south, the Caspian Sea in the north. The Caspian Sea is the largest landlocked body of water in the world. Time Zone: GMT +3:30 (GMT + 4.5 hrs. during the summer) Climate: Mountainous, with deserts and barren lands in central and east of the country. Iran is significantly different in terms of temperature, humidity and rainfall from place to place and season to season. The temperature decreases as you travel from south to north. In Tehran, minimum temperature in January may fall to - 4 C and in July rise to +37 C. Spring and autumn are marked by pleasant climate in most areas of Iran. In general, summers are hot and dry and winters harsh and snowy. However, given the climatic diversity, tourists may enjoy winter sports in the mountains while it is possible at the same time to bathe in the warm waters of southern shores. Population: (According to the census conducted in October-November 1996) 60, 055, 488. Notably young - Male: 30,515,159. Female: 29,540,329. Urban: 36,817,789. Rural: 23,026,293. Language: Iran is a multi-lingual society. Farsi (Persian) is the official language, written in Arabic script. Turkish, Kurdish and Arabic are also spoken in some areas. English, French and German are often spoken by businessmen and officials. Education and Literacy: According to the Constitution, the government is obliged to provide means of free education and training for the entire nation up to the end of high school course and expand free facilities of higher education to the extent of the self-sufficiency of the country in this respect. The government spends a major portion of its budget on education. Universities and colleges exist in most of the big cities. More than 60% of the population is literate. Calendar: Solar Hejira Calendar. According to this calendar, the year has 12 months, 52 weeks, and 365 days.
Religion: Islam. Shi’a Islam is the
dominant school and the official state religion in Iran. The Sunni school is
the other branch of Islam. Iranian Zoroastrians, Jews and Christians are
other religious minorities that are free to observe their religious rites. Government: Iran is a constitutional republic based on Islamic principles and divided into the Legislative, Judiciary and Executive powers. The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution oversees and coordinates the main policies of the Government. The December 1979 Iranian Constitution defines the political, economic, and social order of the Islamic Republic. Legislative power is vested in the Majlis (Islamic Consultative Assembly or parliament). The chief executive is the President who heads the Council of Ministers or cabinet selected by him with legislative approval. The justice system is overseen by the Head of the Judiciary Power who is appointed by the Supreme Leader. However, the President and deputies of the Majlis are elected directly by the people.
Ministries: Ministry of Oil, Ministry of
Energy, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Ministry of Roads and Transportation, Ministry of Industries and
Mines, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance, Ministry of Health,
Treatment, and Medical Training, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Post,
Telegraph, and Telephone, Ministry of Cooperatives, Ministry of Agricultural
Jihad, , Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Culture and Higher Education,
Ministry of Culture & Islamic Guidance, Ministry of Labour and Social
Affairs, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Housing and Urban Development In the areas of commercial regulations and norms, most of the Pre-Revolution laws are still in force. Member of: CCC, CMR, CP, ESCAP, ECO, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, LAEA, LORCS, NAM, OIC, OPEC, PCA, TIR, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO. Internationally Known Products: Oil, carpet and caviar. Economic Structure: As a developing country, Iran's economy is a mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil and other large enterprises, village -based agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures. Over the past several years, the government has introduced measures to liberalize the economy and reduce government intervention. Trade and industrial guilds exist in different areas of economic activity. According to Article 44 of the Constitution, the economic system of the Islamic Republic of Iran is based on the public, cooperative and private sectors. The public sector includes all major industries, mother industries, foreign trade, large mines, banking, insurance, power generation, big dams and irrigation networks, radio and television, post and telegraph and telephone, aviation, shipping, roads and railways and the like which are under the control of government. The cooperative sector encompasses the production and distribution companies and similar institutions set up in the cities and villages. The private sector includes that part of agriculture, animal husbandry, industry, trade and services that complements public and cooperative economic activities. The country’s main source of foreign currency and general revenue is oil. Labour Force: Iran's large labour force is employed in a variety of occupations, mostly in agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The Labour Law formulates the relations between the employer and the worker. Those who lose their job are put under the cover of Unemployment Fund. Employees are covered by the Social Security scheme. Governmental work permits are required for expatriate workers. Industries: Oil and gas production, electricity, cars, machinery, equipment, tools, chemicals, petrochemicals, metals and non-metals, glass, cement, building materials, household appliances, cigarettes, textile, clothing, leather, wood and wooden products, paper, cupboard, print and binding, food stuff, drinks and sugar. Minerals: Coal, copper, iron ore, lead and zinc, chromate, manganese, construction and decorative stone, lime stone, kaolin, sodium sulphate, feldspar, salt, silica and quartz, talc, gypsum, etc. Agriculture: wheat, barley, fodder plants, grains, rice, cotton, sugar beet, potato, oily seeds, fruits, horticulture, pulses, tobacco, corn, olive, citrus fruits, tea, dates... Animal husbandry: The main occupation of Iran’s nomadic and semi-nomadic population is animal husbandry such as sheep, goats and cattle. Related products include meat, dairy, wool, hides and casings. Fisheries: Extensive resources of many varieties of fish in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea in the south. The Caspian Sea in the north is the source of a wide variety of fish, most famously the different breeds of sturgeon from which 90% of the world’s caviar is obtained. Forestry: forests cover approximately 11% of Iran. Most of the forests and natural pastures exist across north Iran, at the southern coastline of the Caspian Sea. The forest resources of the region are used for timber, wood products and paper manufacturing. Construction: Public and private sectors are active in civil construction and housing projects. Transportation: Mainly by road and railway. Many areas are connected by highway and the cross-country road system is growing steadily. There is a developing network of domestic airlines. Iran Air, the airline of the Islamic Republic of Iran, operates daily flights to a number of foreign countries. Iranian trucks are ubiquitous on the international transportation routes of the whole of Europe, Russia and Central Asia. Iran has its own fleet of commercial ships. International Airports: Tehran, Esfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad, Abadan, Zahedan, Bandar-e-Abbas, and Kish. Ports: Major ports in the south are: Bandar-e-Emam Khomeini, Khorram Shahr, Abadan, Mahshahr, Khark, Kish, Bandar-e-Bushehr, Bandar-e-Abbas, and Chahbahar. In the Caspian Sea, the two major ports are Bandar Anzali and Nowshahr. Imports: Machinery, metal works, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, and refined oil products, electric/electronic and mechanical equipment, iron and steel, automotive parts, cereal and their products, chemicals, paper and cardboard, technical services. Major import partners: Germany, Japan, Italy, the UK, France, United Arab Emirates. Exports: Oil, carpets, pistachios, dried nuts, dates, cotton, fruits and vegetables, grains, medicinal plants, caviar, gum tragacanth, varieties of cumin seed, animal and vegetable fats, leather and hides, varieties of casing, fish, shrimp, detergents, soap, shoes, textiles and clothing, motor vehicles, engineering and construction services... Major Export Partners: Japan, Italy, France, Netherlands, Belgium/Luxembourg, Spain, and Germany. Currency: Iranian Rial. Each Rial is equal to 100 Dinars. However, Dinar is not used in practice. Sums are generally referred to in the unofficial unit Toman that equals Rls.10. Foreign currencies such as German Marks, Pound Sterling, US Dollars and Yen can be exchanged and some types of domestic and international credit cards are accepted in certain shops and restaurants. The Central Bank of Iran (Bank Markazi) regulates and controls the monetary system. Mass Media: Radio and television broadcasting beams throughout the country; some programs are rendered in English. English-language dailies can be obtained from news stands. Some satellite programs can be watched in main hotels. Culture: Iran enjoys a rich and diverse cultural and art life reflected in the finest forms of poetry, painting and architecture. Iranian poets, Hafez, Sa’di, Khayyam, Rumi, and Ferdawsi are world-famous. Modern art and literature have a considerable niche in Iranian contemporary society as well. Iranian cinema has made a name for itself in the international arena in recent years. The most important cultural events are the traditional celebration of Nowrourz (the Iranian New Year) and the religious festivity of the birthday of the last Shi’a Imam referred to as the 12th Imam. Tourism: Iran is rich in beautiful landscapes with spellbinding subterranean caves (such as Ali Sadr) combined with archaeological sites, historical monuments, and magnificent ancient cities. Museums rich with artefacts, historic mosques, shrines, mausoleums, fire temples, tombs and bazaars found across the country. Stone relics, traditional pottery, ceramic, brass work, wood carving, traditional costumes, miniature paintings, murals, carpet and rug shops, teahouses with traditional singing, restaurants with delicious Persian dishes, caviar and king-shrimps. Modern life symbolized by cinema, music concerts and plays provides interesting contrast to the ancient and Islamic architecture & art that characterizes Iran. Isfahan, Mashhad, Shiraz, Tabriz, Tehran, Hamadan, Kerman, Bam, Kermanshah, Yazd, and Caspian Sea, are main tourist centres. Autumn and spring are the best seasons for travel in Iran. There is a variety of transportation and hotel accommodations for different categories of tourists. Domestic flights, trains, buses, taxis, and private cars- for-hire are available. Major crime is generally not a problem for travellers in Iran. The traveller must posses a valid passport and proper entry visa. This is a necessity for checking into hotels, boarding flights etc. Incoming and outgoing passengers are allowed to bring in and take out authorized goods, besides their personal belongings. Travellers are permitted to bring in the country any amount of foreign currencies, if declared and registered in the forms provided at the points of entry. Accordingly, at the time of departure, they may take out the money they declared on their arrival. Health: Basic medical care and medicines are available in the principal cities of Iran. Social Life: Consumption of alcoholic beverage is banned. Women must be modestly covered and wear a headscarf. Male and female segregation is usually observed in public gatherings. Eating in public is forbidden during the daytime in the fasting month of Ramadan when Muslims abstain from all food and drink, from dawn till sunset, as a religious observance. Business Etiquette: Business is male dominated. A handshake with a slight bow on arrival and departure is the norm. Men shake hands only with men and women with women. Exchange business cards on meeting. Get names right and try to pronounce them right. In formal meetings, putting your hands in your pockets, chewing gums and blowing your nose loudly is impolite. When talking, do not point at or gesticulate in the direction of a particular person. Appointments must be made well in advance. Be punctual. Respect the religion and customs of Iranians. Do not address people by their first name unless asked to do so. Dress conservatively. Titles are important. Executives are often addressed by academic rank or title. Appreciation of what you have been offered to eat is welcomed. No alcohol is served and pork is never eaten. Do not enquire about family matters from the person with whom you have not intimate relations. Gifts are appreciated but not expected. Accept gifts from the host and do not forget to thank him/her. When invited to have lunch or dinner at the home of an Iranian, it is customary to bring flowers or candy. Work Week: Sunday through Thursday. Friday is the official and religious day off. However, some ministries and public organizations are closed on Thursday and the rest work only through noon. Certain organizations observe a two-day weekend (Thursday and Friday). Working hours for governmental offices are usually from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The working hours of banks from Saturday till Wednesday start from 7:30 am and end at 1:30 p.m. On Thursdays the working hours are from 7:30 a.m. till 12:30 p.m. Shops and bazaars are generally open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. all the week except Friday. Driving: Foreigners holding a valid International Driving Permit can drive. The holder is obligated to conform strictly to the driving regulations of Iran. Weights and Measures: Metric system. Electricity Supply: 220v 50 cycles AC. Int. Direct Dialing Code: +98 Outgoing international code: 00
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