Iran
Middle East Country Project
Geography
Iran is located in the Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian sea, between Iraq and Pakistan. Iran areas water is 116,600 sq km, the climate is mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along the Caspian coast. physical features is rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with desserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts. Natural resources are petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, and sulfur. Natural hazards in Iran are periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; and earthquakes
Religion
Iran religion is Islam the symbol is moon and star, the call god is Allah it originated in Jerusalem. The holy book is the Koran, place of worship is Mosque, there followers are Muslims, day of worship is Friday, there holiday is Ramadan. There groups are the Sunni and Shi'i, there golden rule is, "none of you is a believer until you love for your neighbor what you love for yourself." There core belief is salvation through good works, and there prophet is Muhammed.
culture trait
Iran culture traits when it comes to marriage is a significant event which must be celebrated with glory and distinction. Iran weddings ceremony goes back to Zoroastrian tradition borrowing from the Quran and Islamic influence. Parents usually pick the mate for their children, while they can choose they have to be approved by their parents before a wedding is announced. The rings are exchanged along lavish gifts to the bride and her family. The groom's family unlike American and European cultures pay for the whole affair, the more affluent the groom the more lavish wedding. The groom and bride are not allowed to see each other again until the wedding ceremony. The wedding ceremony has two stages the first is the Aghed which is tying of the knot and second is the Mahr which is the bride's price agreed upon before the marriage.
Government
Iran government is Theocracy which is ruled by a religious leader claiming to be a messenger of god. Decisions are made based on one religion other religions are not allowed. Iran is a unlimited government which means full power is given to the government leaders, and people have few or no rights and freedoms. The supreme leader of Iran is Ali Hoseini -KHAMENEI and the President is Hasan Fereidun RUHANI. Supreme leader appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president is elected by popular vote for a four- year term. Iran military is regular forces (Artesh): Ground forces, Navy, Air Force (IRIAF), 18 years of age for compulsory military force; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age Basij Forces (popular Mobilization Army); conscript military service obligation is 18 months; women exempted from military service.
Economy
Iran's currency, the Rial, is constantly fluctuating due it's major dependency on the production and export of oil. The economy is affected by oil prices which gives Iran little control of their economy and is heavily inundated with government officials trying to make money to benefit themselves. The private sector of Iran's economy is limited to some small enterprises, farming and services. Iran's economy in the last few years has undergone many changes and the unemployment rate is at a all time high even though 82% of Iran is literate and the life expectancy is 73.76 years. The inflation is at 42% and interest rates are high at 12%. Iran GDP is 987.1 billion with the real growth rate at-1.5%. Iran needs to go threw a lot of changes before their economy stabilizes and its reliance on oil is diversified by other industries the country can control.
interesting fact
- The current Iranian flag was adopted in 1980 and has three equal horizontal bands of green, white, and red. Green is the color of Islam and represents growth, white symbolizes honesty and peace, and red stands for bravery and martyrdom. Centered in the middle white band is the stylized representation of the word “Allah” and the phrase La ilaha illa Allah (“None is worthy of worship but Allah”) in the shape of a tulip. Along the inner edges of the green and red bands are 22 copies of the phrase Allahu Akbar (“God is great").