Iran was formerly known as Persia until 1935. It was a kingdom for about 2600 years before becoming an Islamic Republic in 1979. The country has a population of over 66 million people, most of whom are Persian or speak Persian. Some key cities include Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, and Shiraz. Iran has a long history and culture, and is known for industries like oil and gas as well as traditions like Noruz, wrestling, and foods like kebabs.

1. IRAN
Called Persia before 1935
Kingdom before 1979 for about 2600 years
Islamic Republic after 1979
Green‐ symbol of fertility
White‐ Symbol of pureness and peace
Red‐ Symbol of the martyrs' blood

2. Persian Empire, 500 B.C.

4. Quick Facts
• Area: 1,648,195 sq km. country comparison to the world: 18
• land: 1,531,595 sq km
• water: 116,600 sq km
• Population: 66,429,284 (July 2009 est.), country comparison to the world: 19
• 0‐14 years: 21.7% (male 7,394,841/female 7,022,076)
• 15‐64 years: 72.9% (male 24,501,544/female 23,914,172)
• 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 1,725,828/female 1,870,823) (2009 est.)
• Descent : Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab
3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%
• Religion: Muslim 98% (Shia 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian,
Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2%
• Spoken Language: Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkish and Turkish
dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkic 1%, other 2%

5. • Iranian Language called Persian,
or Farsi is spoken in several
countries other than Iran such
as: Tajikistan, Afghanistan,
Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Iraq and
Kazakhstan.
• It is estimated that between 80
to 140million people speak in
Farsi.

6. Mountains
• ALBORZ Mountain‐ Located in North of IRAN, highest summit
called DAMAVAND with 5756 m height

8. • ZAGROS Mountain‐ Located in West of IRAN, highest summit
called DENA with 4359 m height

9. Deserts
• KAVIR desert‐ located in north center

10. • LOOT desert‐ located in south center of IRAN

12. Lake ORUMIYE
Biggest lake of IRAN which
is located in north west

13. Weather
North: humid, rainy
West: dry, cold, snowy
East: dry, cold winter, hot summer
South: humid, hot

15. Traditional Houses

16. Modern Houses

17. Biggest Cities
Capital: TEHRAN
MASHHAD
ISFAHAN
TABRIZ
SHIRAZ
YAZD
AHVAZ

20. Typical Shopping Center‐Tehran

22. ISFAHAN‐ The capital before TEHRAN
33 Bridge (left) and KHAJO Bridge (right) over River ZAYANDEH

23. ISFAHAN
Picture of the World Square

26. SHIRAZ‐ The capital of Empire of IRAN

27. SHIRAZ‐ The City of Poetry

28. YAZD‐ The city of Fire Temples

29. Water Reservoir‐YAZD‐IRAN

30. Industry:
‐Oil & Gas
‐Car
….

31. Agriculture

35. Main Non‐Oil Export Products

36. Iran national Futsal team is one of the best
in the world

37. Iranian Wrestling Team has a Worldwide
Reputation

38. IRANIAN
FOODS

39. IRANIAN
Restaurants

40. Traditional clothes

43. Iranian most popular
movie makers
Mohsen Makhmalbaf
Mehran Modiri
Tahmine Milani

44. Iranian Actresses

45. Iranian Actors
Bahram Radan
Shahab husseini

46. IRANIAN FESTIVALS
NORUZ‐ IRANIAN NEW
YEAR, March 21
marks the arrival of spring and
revival of nature
sabzeh ‐ wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish ‐ symbolizing rebirth
samanu ‐ a sweet pudding made from wheat germ ‐ symbolizing affluence
senjed ‐ the dried fruit of the oleaster tree ‐ symbolizing love
sīr ‐ garlic ‐ symbolizing medicine
sīb ‐ apples ‐ symbolizing beauty and health
somaq ‐ sumac berries ‐ symbolizing (the color of) sunrise
serkeh ‐ vinegar ‐ symbolizing age and patience
Sonbol ‐ Hyacinth (plant)
Sekkeh ‐ Coins ‐ representative of wealth
a bowl of water with goldfish (life within life)
a mirror (symbolizing cleanness and honesty)

47. SADEH‐ 50 days
before NORUZ
honor fire and to defeat
the forces of darkness,
frost, and cold

48. YALDA‐ The longest night
of the year

49. MEHREGAN‐ Oct. 2 th
celebrated in honor of Mithra, the divinity of covenant, and
hence of interpersonal relationships such as friendship, affection
and love.

50. CHARSHANBEH SURI
you want the fire to take your paleness,
sickness, and problems and in turn give
you redness, warmth, and energy…

51. IRANIAN WEDDING

52. Wild Life

55. Persian Cats