Iran.

Iran is a large, mountainous Middle Eastern country with a Persian civilisation more than 2,500 years old, vast oil and gas reserves, and a population concentrated on the high Iranian Plateau.

Geography & landscape

Iran sits in Southern Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 1,648,195 km², it is a continental-scale country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Tehran, lies near coordinates 32°, 53°.

The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Southern Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Iran.

People & society

The population of Iran is around 88M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.

The official language is Persian, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.

Government & politics

Iran is structured as a islamic republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Tehran, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.

Economy & currency

The official currency of Iran is the Iranian Rial (IRR). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Tehran and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.

Culture & everyday life

The cultural footprint of Iran shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Iran through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.

Travel essentials

The capital, Tehran, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +98, and clocks are set to the IRST (UTC+3:30) time zone. ISO standards identify Iran as IR (alpha-2) and IRN (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇮🇷, appears at every border post and on every passport.

By the numbers

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Did you know?

Iran's calendar uses a half-hour time offset (UTC+3:30) and a solar Hijri calendar that begins each year on the spring equinox.