1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed)
18 September 1810 (from Spain)
Religions
Muslim 98% (Shia 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2%
Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 15.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 1%, other 4.6%, none 8.3% (2002 census)
Languages
Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%
Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English
Exports
petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets
copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine
External Debt
$17,900,000,000 $
$99,400,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Iranian rials (IRR) per US dollar - 9,142.8 (2008 est.), 9,407.5 (2007), 9,227.1 (2006), 8,964 (2005), 8,614 (2004) note: Iran has been using a managed floating exchange rate regime since unifying multiple exchange rates in March 2002
Chilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar - 509.02 (2008 est.), 526.25 (2007), 530.29 (2006), 560.09 (2005), 609.37 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
2.500%
2.700%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
2
1
Location
Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan
Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru
Area
1,648,195 km sq
756,102 km sq
Coastline
2,440 km
6,435 km
Climate
mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast
temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south
