Discover Fascinating Iran Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Iran.

Iran

Background

๐ŸŒ A Glimpse into Iran's History ๐Ÿค”

Did you know that Iran was once called Persia until 1935? Thatโ€™s a long time! In 1979, a big change happened when the monarchy was overthrown and Iran became an Islamic Republic. This means they have a system where religious scholars, especially the Supreme Leader, have the main say in how the country is run.

๐Ÿค Relations with Western countries aren't the friendliest right now, mainly due to worries about Iran's nuclear program. Itโ€™s a complex situation that continues to develop. Stay tuned for more updates! ๐Ÿ“…

Years since the name change from Persia to Iran

88 years

Years since Iran became an Islamic Republic

44 years

Exports - commodities

๐ŸŒŸ Iran's exports are diverse and include various important commodities. Some of the key items exported by Iran in 2022 are:

  • Ethylene polymers ๐Ÿ›ข๏ธ
  • Refined copper ๐Ÿช™
  • Acyclic alcohols ๐Ÿน
  • Aluminum ๐Ÿฅ‡
  • Natural gas ๐Ÿ’จ

These materials play a significant role in Iran's economy and international trade!

Key Exports

Ethylene polymers, refined copper, acyclic alcohols, aluminum, natural gas

Exports - partners

Let's take a look at who Iran trades with! In 2022, Iranโ€™s biggest export partner was China, taking a whopping 36% of total exports! ๐Ÿ‰ After that came Turkey with 20%, supporting their friendship and trade. ๐Ÿฆƒ Other notable partners include Kuwait (6%), Pakistan (5%), and India (4%). ๐ŸŒ Isn't it interesting to see how these countries share in Iran's exports? ๐Ÿค”

Share of Exports to China

36%

Share of Exports to Turkey

20%

Share of Exports to Kuwait

6%

Share of Exports to Pakistan

5%

Share of Exports to India

4%

Exports Partners of Iran (2022)

Capital

๐ŸŒ† The capital of Iran is Tehran! It's a bustling city filled with history, culture, and amazing sites to explore. Whether youโ€™re looking for delicious Persian food, beautiful parks, or fascinating museums, Tehran has it all! ๐Ÿ•Œ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ท

Imports - commodities

Iran imports a variety of important commodities to meet its needs and support its economy. ๐ŸŒฝ Here are some of the key imports:

  • Broadcasting Equipment ๐Ÿ“บ: Essential for communication and information dissemination.
  • Corn ๐ŸŒฝ: A staple food that plays a vital role in the diet and livestock feed.
  • Soybeans ๐ŸŒฑ: Important for both human consumption and animal feed.
  • Vehicle Parts/Accessories ๐Ÿš—: Helps to keep the vehicles running smoothly, enhancing transportation.
  • Rice ๐Ÿš: A crucial food item for many households.

This mix of imports reflects the diverse requirements of Iranโ€™s population and industry! ๐ŸŒ

Key import categories

5

Climate

๐ŸŒž Iran's climate is mainly arid or semiarid, meaning it's mostly dry with little rainfall. ๐ŸŒต However, if you head to the Caspian coast, you'll find a subtropical climate, which is a bit more humid and green! ๐ŸŒฟ This diverse weather makes Iran a fascinating place with lots of different landscapes and ecosystems.

Executive branch

In Iran, the executive branch has two key leaders! ๐ŸŒŸ The Chief of State is the Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI, who has been in charge since 4 June 1989. That's a long time! On the other hand, the Head of Government is President Masoud PEZESHKIAN, who just took office on 30 July 2024. This shows a significant change in leadership in the government! ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ท

Supreme Leader's term started

4 June 1989

President's term started

30 July 2024

Legislative branch

In Iran, the legislative branch is called the Islamic Consultative Assembly. ๐Ÿ•Œ It has a unicameral structure, meaning it consists of a single chamber. This assembly is made up of 290 seats. Each of these seats is filled by representatives who play important roles in making laws for the country. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ

Total seats in the Islamic Consultative Assembly

290

Natural resources

๐ŸŒ Iran's Natural Resources ๐ŸŒ

Iran is rich in various natural resources that play a significant role in the economy! Here's a quick look at what the country has to offer:

  • Petroleum: A major player in Iran's economy.
  • Natural Gas: Iran has one of the largest reserves in the world!
  • Coal: Used for energy and industrial processes.
  • Chromium: Important for making stainless steel!
  • Copper: A vital resource for electrical wiring and plumbing.
  • Iron Ore: Essential for producing steel.
  • Lead: Used in batteries and radiation shielding.
  • Manganese: Helps in making steel and aluminum.
  • Zinc: Commonly used for galvanization to prevent rust.
  • Sulfur: Used in fertilizers and chemicals.

These resources contribute not just to the local economy but also to global markets! ๐ŸŒŸ

Resource Types

10

Economic overview

Iran has a traditionally state-controlled economy that is starting to see some changes. ๐Ÿ’ผ They're reforming state-owned financial entities. The country boasts strong sectors like oil and gas, agriculture, and services. However, it has recently faced massive inflation, which is causing a lot of economic challenges. This inflation is due to several factors: depreciation of the exchange rate, international sanctions, and a lot of uncertainty for investors. ๐Ÿ˜Ÿ As a result, poverty is on the rise. ๐Ÿ”บ

Economic Sectors

Oil, gas, agriculture, service

Causes of Inflation

Exchange rate depreciation, international sanctions, investor uncertainty

Current Economic Challenges

Increasing poverty

Government type

In Iran, the government operates as a theocratic republic. ๐Ÿ•Œ In this unique system, religious leaders hold significant power alongside elected officials. This blend of religious guidance and democratic principles shapes how the nation is ruled, affecting everything from laws to everyday life! ๐Ÿ“œโœจ

Government structure

Theocratic Republic

Ethnic groups

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ท Iran is a land of vibrant cultures and diverse ethnic groups! Here's a fun look at the different peoples who call Iran home:

  • Persian
  • Azeri
  • Kurd
  • Lur
  • Baloch
  • Arab
  • Turkmen
  • Turkic tribes

Each of these groups contributes to the rich tapestry of Iranian culture and traditions. Isn't that fascinating? ๐ŸŒโœจ

Religions

In Iran, the rankings of religions are quite interesting! ๐ŸŒ The vast majority of the population identifies as Muslim, with a whopping 98.5% following this faith. There are also smaller groups, such as Christians at 0.7%, Baha'is at 0.3%, and those who identify as agnostic also at 0.3%. โš–๏ธ Additionally, other religions, including Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Hindu, make up 0.2% of the population. This showcases how dominant Islam is in the cultural and spiritual landscape of Iran! ๐Ÿคฒโœจ

Percentage of Muslims in Iran

98.5%

Percentage of Christians in Iran

0.7%

Percentage of Baha'is in Iran

0.3%

Percentage of Agnostics in Iran

0.3%

Percentage of Other Religions in Iran

0.2%

Distribution of Religions in Iran (2020)

Languages

Iran is known for its rich tapestry of languages! ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ The official language is Persian Farsi. Alongside Persian, many people in Iran speak Azeri and other Turkic dialects, Kurdish, Gilaki, Mazandarani, Luri, Balochi, and even Arabic! ๐ŸŒโœจ This diversity showcases the vibrant cultures and communities found within the country.

Official Language

Persian Farsi

Total Number of Languages Identified

7

Languages Spoken in Iran

Imports - partners

๐Ÿ“Š Let's explore Iran's import partners! In 2022, Iran had some key countries it relied on for imports, each contributing to the diverse range of goods flowing into the nation. Hereโ€™s how they stacked up:

  • ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ China: 28%
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช UAE (United Arab Emirates): 19%
  • ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท Brazil: 13%
  • ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท Turkey: 9%
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ India: 6%

These percentages show just how much each country contributed to Iran's total imports, summing up to a vibrant mix of international trade! ๐ŸŒโœจ

Total Import Percentage

100%

Iran's Import Partners (2022)

Population

Iran is home to a whopping 88,386,937 people! ๐ŸŒ That's a lot of individuals, each with their own stories and dreams. Imagine all the vibrant cultures, languages, and traditions! ๐Ÿค—

Total Population of Iran

88,386,937

Area

๐ŸŒ Let's explore the vastness of Iran! The total area of this beautiful country is 1,648,195 sq km. That's a lot of space! Out of this, 1,531,595 sq km is land, which means there are many mountains, deserts, and cities to discover! ๐ŸŒ„๐Ÿ’ง On the other hand, 116,600 sq km is covered by water, making it a great place for rivers and lakes too! ๐Ÿž๏ธ

Total Area

1,648,195 sq km

Land Area

1,531,595 sq km

Water Area

116,600 sq km

Area Distribution in Iran

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐ŸŒ Iran's economy is measured by its Real GDP (purchasing power parity). This means we look at how much people can buy with their money! Let's see how it's been doing over the last few years:

  • 2021: $1.323 trillion
  • 2022: $1.373 trillion
  • 2023: $1.44 trillion

As you can see, the numbers are going up! ๐Ÿ“ˆ This shows that Iran's economy is growing. Let's take a closer look at how much it's grown each year. Each year, the GDP has increased, which is a good sign for the economy! ๐ŸŽ‰

Estimated Real GDP for 2023

$1.44 trillion

Estimated Real GDP for 2022

$1.373 trillion

Estimated Real GDP for 2021

$1.323 trillion

Iran's Real GDP Growth (PPP)

Real GDP per capita

๐ŸŒ Let's take a look at the Real GDP per capita for Iran over a few years! Real GDP per capita gives us a sense of how much money each person would have if all the wealth was evenly divided. It's a great way to measure the country's economic health! Hereโ€™s what we have for the last few years:

  • In 2021, the Real GDP per capita was $15,000.
  • In 2022, it increased to $15,500 ๐Ÿ“ˆ.
  • By 2023, it climbed even higher to $16,200! ๐ŸŽ‰

This shows a steady growth, which is great news for the people of Iran!

Let's visualize this growth in a line chart! ๐Ÿ“Š

Real GDP per Capita in 2023

$16,200

Real GDP per Capita in 2022

$15,500

Real GDP per Capita in 2021

$15,000

Real GDP per Capita Growth in Iran

Imports

๐Ÿ“Š Let's take a look at Iran's imports over the years! The data shows how much stuff Iran brought into the country, which is super important for understanding its economy. Here are some numbers:

  • In 2020, Iran's imports were $58.461 billion.
  • By 2021, this increased to $77.33 billion!
  • And in 2022, it jumped again to reach $102.47 billion!

Isn't that fascinating? ๐Ÿ“ˆ This shows that Iran has been increasing its imports year after year! ๐ŸŒ

The growth in imports can help us understand the demand for goods in Iran and how the economy is changing over time.

Total imports in 2022

$102.47 billion

Total imports in 2021

$77.33 billion

Total imports in 2020

$58.461 billion

Iran's Imports Over Time

Exports

๐ŸŒ Let's take a closer look at Iran's export figures! ๐Ÿ“ˆ These numbers show how much Iran exported over the last few years:

  • 2020: $46.568 billion
  • 2021: $82.015 billion
  • 2022: $110.882 billion

As you can see, Iran's exports have been rising significantly each year! This upward trend is a great sign for the economy and shows how international trade plays a big role. ๐Ÿ“Š๐Ÿ’ฐ

Iran's Exports Over Time

Population growth rate

๐ŸŒ Did you know? The population in Iran is growing at a rate of 0.88%! This number is an estimate for 2024. It shows how many more people are added to the population each year. Keep an eye on those numbers as they reflect exciting changes happening in this vibrant country! ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Estimated Population Growth Rate (2024)

0.88%