1. The Islamic Republic of Iran 1.What are some historical events that influenced the development of 21 st Century Iran? 2.What are the major geographical landforms found in Iran? 3.What types of climates are found in Iran? 4.What government system is used in Iran? 5.What economic system is used in Iran?

2. Location Iran is located in Southwestern Asia. Iran is located east of Iraq Iran is located west of Afghanistan. Iran is bordered by the Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Oman.

3. Geography Iran has a rugged landscape. The majority of the nation is covered by mountains and deserts. The largest mountain ranges in Iran are the Caucasus, Zagros, and Alborz Mountains.

4. Climate Iran has a variety of climates. The majority of the country has an arid (desert) or semi-arid climate. A tropical climate is found along Iran’s border with the Caspian Sea.

5. History Iran has been a part of numerous empires. The Persian Empire ruled the area from the 500s B.C. to the mid 300s A.D. The Persian Empire ruled the majority of SW Asia and parts of Europe and Africa. After the collapse of the Persian Empire, Iran was conquered by numerous Islamic empires. Iran became a constitutional monarchy in 1906.

6. History After 1906, Iran was ruled by an elected government, with the king (shah) holding limited powers. This changed with the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Although popular with the governments of Europe and the United States, the shah was unpopular with many Iranians and religious leaders in Iran. The Shah was exiled from Iran in 1979 and his government was replaced by the Islamic government of the Ayatollahs.

7. History After the shah was exiled, an exiled religious leader, Ayatollah Khomeini seized power. He declared Iran to be an Islamic Republic in 1979. The new government was very unpopular with the government of the United States. This led to increased tensions, including the kidnapping of numerous hostages at the American Embassy in Iran’s capital, Tehran. The governments of Iran and the United States have not been friendly toward one another since this event.

8. History Iraq invaded Iran in 1980. The war resulted from numerous border disputes and was fought over access to fresh water and oil reserves along the two nations’ borders. The two nations fought one another until 1988. The war ended in 1988 with no clear winner. The war destroyed the economies of both countries and nearly 1.5 million were killed in the conflict.

9. Religion The vast majority of Iranians belong to the Shia branch of Islam (over 90%). Iran is the only country in SW Asia with a Shia majority.

10. Ethnic Groups The largest ethnic group in Iran is Persian. There are numerous other ethnic groups including Kurds, Turks, and Europeans.

11. Government Tehran is the capital of Iran and the location of its national government. Iran has been an Islamic Republic since 1979. It is also a Theocracy (a religious government with God as symbolic leader). The government’s laws are based on Islamic laws. The Ayatollahs, a group of Islamic religious leaders, have controlled the government since 1979. The head of the Ayatollahs, the Supreme Leader, is the head of the government. The Ayatollahs choose the candidates for president and are responsible for approving the nation’s laws.

12. Government Although the Ayatollahs select the candidates, the people of Iran elect their leaders. Any Iranian citizen who is 15 or older can vote. The current president of Iran is President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

13. Economy Iran has a rapidly developing economy. Iran employs a mixed economic system. A mixture of private ownership and government ownership of resources exists in Iran. Iran has the 16 th largest economy in the world.

14. Economy The economy of Iran is dependent on the production of petroleum. Nearly 50% of its economy is based on petroleum production. The government owns all of the oil and petroleum production facilities in the nation. Iran is also a member of OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

15. Current Events Iran recently constructed a series of nuclear facilities and nuclear power plants. Some countries, including the United States, believe Iran is creating nuclear weapons. The United States wants to impose a trade embargo (a stoppage in trade) on Iran. The US wants to force Iran’s government to shut down its nuclear facilities and prove to the world they are not producing nuclear weapons.

16. What is the cartoonist’s message?