Formal Name
The Islamic Republic of Iran

Location
Middle East, bordering the Sea of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan

Geographic Coordinates
32 00 N, 53 00 E

Time
GMT +3:30 September 22 to March 21 --------- GMT +4:30 March 22 to September 21

Area
1.648 million sq km (slightly larger than Alaska)

Bordering Countries
Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km, total 5,440 km

Coastline
2,440 km along the Sea of Oman and the Persian Gulf; Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)

Climate
Mostly arid or semi-arid, subtropical along the Caspian Coast

Terrain
Rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts

Elevation Extremes
Caspian Sea -28 m, Mount Damavand 5,671 m

Natural Resources
Petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur

Land Use
Arable land 10%, permanent crops 1%, permanent pastures 27%, forests and woodland 7%, other 55%

Capital
Tehran

Administrative Divisions
28 Provinces

Major Cities
Tehran, Mashad, Isfahan, Tabriz, Shiraz

Population
65,000,000 (July 1999 est.)

Ethnic Groups
Persian 51%, Azerbaijani 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baluch 2%, Turkic 1%, other 2%

Official Language
Farsi or Persian

Religions
Muslim 99%; Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians 1%

Economy
A mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil and large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures

Industries
Petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processing, metal fabricating, automobile manufactoring

Agricultural Products
Wheat, rice, sugar beets, fruits, pistachios, cotton, dairy products, wool; caviar

Exports
Petroleum, carpets, fruits, nuts, hides, steel

Currency
Rial

Exchange Rate
Approximately 8,500 Rials to one US Dollar

Fiscal Year
21 March - 20 March

Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Iran is March-May or September-November. It mostly rains in the winter months and can be very cold and snowy at times. Areas along the coasts enjoy a mild climate.

Transportation
Mehrabad, Tehran international airport, is 10 km west of town. A large international airport is being constructed south of Tehran. Iranians use the internal airlines as their primary means of transportation, so flights are often booked well in advance.

Taxis from the airport (and elsewhere) don't use meters, so be sure to agree on the fare before getting in the cab. There is a reliable prepaid taxi service outside the international arrivals hall. A journey across the city should cost no more than $10 US.

There's rail service, both within the country and to Europe and surrounding countries. There is excellent bus service between Istanbul and Tehran. Land borders with Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Pakistan are open.

An escorted tour is the best way for most first-time visitors to see the country. Hiring a car and driver or taxis would be a second choice. Bus service is extremely popular, and many buses run each day between all cities and towns in Iran. Taxis are also available.

Shopping
The best places to shop are the bazaars in Tehran, Shiraz and Isfahan. Shop for silks, Persian rugs, brassware, embroidery, ceramics, hand blown glass, antiques, turquoise, carved or painted miniatures, caviar, inlaid wood, enamel work, silver and gold ware and other local handicrafts.

Food
Most international foods are found in the deluxe hotels, but the local food, lightly seasoned, is excellent and should be sampled as often as possible. Try some regional specialties: nougat in Isfahan, pistachios in Rafsanjan, dates in Bam and bergamot jam in Shiraz and northern Iran.

Rice is a national staple and is cooked superbly. Local dishes include tasty shrimp, lamb and chicken dishes (most meat is grilled), fruit, vegetables, yogurt and desserts. Sample shirin polo (chicken and rice), fesenjan (made with chicken or duck) and ab-gusht (meat stew). If you get a chance, try the caviar (Iranian caviar, considered some of the world's best, is mostly exported). There are four more popular kinds of breads: taftoon (fresh, flat lunch bread), barbary (chewy breakfast bread), lavash (crispy and thin) and sangak (baked on hot pebbles). Iranian ice cream is also excellent.