How Old is Iran?

Iran, commonly known amongst its denizens as Persia, was a dominant force throughout the world as early as 678 BC. The Islamic Republic of Iran that we know today had its current constitution drafted in 1979. This makes Iran older than 2600 years, or as young as 43 years. Below are the key facts about Iran:

Basic Info

Capital: Tehran. Coordination: 35°41′N 51°25′E.

Official languages: Persian

Recognized regional languages

• 53% Persian
• 18% Azerbaijani and other Turkic dialects (incl. Qashqai, Turkmen)[2]
• 10% Kurdish
• 7% Gilak and Mazanderani
• 6% Luri
• 2% Balochi
• 2% Arabic
• 2% other (incl. Armenian, Assyrian, Georgian, Laki, Semnani, Talysh, Tati)

Ethnic groups

• 61% Persian
• 16% Azerbaijani
• 10% Kurd
• 6% Lur (incl. Bakhtiari)
• 2% Turkmen and other Turkic peoples
• 2% Baloch
• 2% Arab
• 1% other

Demonym(s): Iranian

Government Inf

Government: Unitary Khomeinist Theocratic Presidential Islamic Republic

• Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

• President: Ebrahim Raisi

• Vice President: Mohammad Mokhber

• Parliament Speaker: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf

• Chief Justice: Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i

• Legislature: Islamic Consultative Assembly

Establishment History

• Median Empire: c. 678 BC

• Achaemenid Empire: 550 BC

• Parthian Empire: 247 BC

• Sasanian Empire: 224 AD

• Buyid dynasty: 934

• Safavid Iran: 1501

• Afsharid Iran: 1736

• Zand dynasty: 1751

• Qajar Iran: 1796

• Pahlavi Iran: 15 December 1925

• Islamic Revolution: 11 February 1979

• Current constitution: 3 December 1979

• Latest amendment: 28 July 1989

Additional Info

• Total Area: 1,648,195 km2 (636,372 sq mi) (17th)

• Water (%): 1.63 (as of 2015)

• 2019 Population Estimate: Neutral increase 83,183,741 (17th)

• Density: 48/km2 (124.3/sq mi) (162nd)

• GDP (PPP) 2022 Estimate Total: Increase $1.573 trillion (21st)

• Per Capita Increase: $18,332 (66th)

• GDP (nominal) 2022 Estimate Total: Increase $1.739 trillion[8] (14th)

• Per capita Increase: $20,261 (78th)

• Gini (2018) Negative increase: 42.0(medium)

• HDI (2019) Decrease: 0.783 (high · 70th)

• Currency: Iranian rial (ریال) (IRR)

• Time zone: UTC+3:30 (IRST)

• Summer (DST): UTC+4:30 (IRDT)

• Date format: yyyy/mm/dd (SH)

• Driving side: right

• Calling code: +98

• ISO 3166 code: IR

• Internet TLD: .ir ایران

The Current State of Iran

While it is officially known as the Islamic State of Iran, Iranians often refer to themselves as Persians, an adage to their antiquity and vastness. The Persian Empire was one of the largest and dominant powers of its time, rivaling many Greek and Roman regions. Iran was controlled by a Shah monarchy for most of its time, but it ended recently in 1979. Demonstrations against the Shah were made and the people revolted against the royal party. Many decades of civil strife, labor strikes, and friction with the rest of the government have reduced the beauty of the country. They officially became the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1979.

Iran continues to strike against the regime, as the poor relations with western countries have limited their ability to garner support from the country. Many Iranians live abroad in the Diaspora as a result of the worsening conditions within the republic.