 Iraq's neighbors: Iran  Iran at a glance Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces subsequently crushed westernizing liberal elements. Militant Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on Nov. 4, 1979, and held it until Jan. 20, 1981. From 1980-1988, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq over disputed territory. Key current issues affecting the country include the pace of accepting outside modernizing influences and reconciliation between clerical control of the regime and popular government participation and widespread demands for reform. Size: 630,577 sq. miles (slightly larger than Alaska) Population: 66,622,704 (July 2002) Population growth rate: 0.8 percent (2002 estimate) Infant mortality: 28.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 estimate) Life expectancy: 70.3 years Ethnic groups: Persian 51 percent, Azeri 24 percent, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8 percent, Kurd 7 percent, Arab 3 percent, Lur 2 percent, Baloch 2 percent, Turkmen 2 percent, other 1 percent Religious Groups: Shiite Muslim 89 percent, Sunni Muslim 10 percent, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Bahai 1 percent Government: Islamic republic Chief of state: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (since June 4, 1989) Economy: Pre-revolutionary Iran's economic development was rapid. Traditionally an agricultural society, by the 1970s, Iran had achieved significant industrialization and economic modernization. However, the pace of growth had slowed dramatically by 1978, just before the Islamic revolution. Labor force – by occupation: Agriculture – 30 percent, manufacturing - 25 percent, services – 45 percent (2001 estimate). Trade: Exports – $27.4 billion (2001 estimate): petroleum 85 percent, carpets, fruit, nuts, iron and steel, chemicals. Per capita income: $1,500 Gross domestic product per capita: $6,400 (2001 estimate) Population below poverty level: 53 percent (1996 estimate) Source: CIA World Factbook, World Book Encyclopedia , Department of State Background Notes Research by Sharon Gaus / Cox News Service |
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