The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Iran:
Iran – sovereign country located in Southwest Asia and the Middle East.[1] Iran is bound by the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf to the south and the Caspian Sea to its north. Shi'a Islam is the official religion, and Persian is the official language.[2] Iran's population is about 83,500,000;[3] and is the 18th largest country in the world in terms of area at 1,648,195 square kilometres (636,372 sq mi). Iran is home to one of the world's oldest continuous major civilizations, with historical and urban settlements dating back to 4000 BC.[4][5][6] Throughout history, Iran has been of geostrategic importance because of its central location in Eurasia and is a regional power.[7][8] The political system of Iran, based on the 1979 Constitution, comprises several intricately connected governing bodies. The highest state authority is the Supreme Leader, currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- ^ "Iran". The World Factbook. United States Central Intelligence Agency. July 15, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2009.
- ^ قانون اساسی جمهوری اسلامی ایران (in Persian). Retrieved 23 January 2008.
- ^ Iran amar.org.ir Retrieved 30 April 2020
- ^ Xinhua, "New evidence: modern civilization began in Iran", 10 August 2007, retrieved 1 October 2007
- ^ Iran Daily, "Panorama", 3 March 2007, retrieved 1 October 2007 Archived January 24, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Iranian.ws, "Archaeologists: Modern civilization began in Iran based on new evidence", 12 August 2007, retrieved 1 October 2007 Archived June 25, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ parliament.uk, "Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Eighth Report, Iran, retrieved 1 October 2007
- ^ IRAN @ 2000 and Beyond lecture series, opening address, W. Herbert Hunt, 18 May 2000 Archived 3 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved 1 October 2007