Islamic republic of Iran
jumHuriyya 'islamiyya 'iiraan

Status
Independent islamic republic
Surface
1,650,000 km²
Inhabitants
67,000,000
Capital
Teheran
National day
February 11
Heads of state
Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei
President Khatami
Languages
Persian, Azeri, Kurdish, Mazandarani, Gilaki, Lurish, Bakhtiari
Currency
Rial
100 rial=US$0,03. US$1=3000 rials

Cities
Teheran (10 million)
Meshed (1,2 million)
Tabriz (1 million)
Shiraz (850,000)
Esfahan (700,000)



Iran has a continental climate, with forests in the north and the west, but desert in the central regions, and semi-desert in the east and south. Iran is one of the most mountainous countries in the world, and all principle cities lies on altitudes above 1,000 metres above sea level. This provides a milder climate in summer, but results in snow in winter.