Introduction: Iran in the Middle East borders the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan.

Official Name: Islamic Republic of Iran
Area: 1,648,000 Sq Km (636,296 Sq Miles)
Population: 68,100,000
Continent: Middle East
Density per square mile: 107
Capital City: Tehran
Religions: 91% Shiite Muslims, 8% Sunni Muslims, less than 1% of the population are Christian, Jewish or Zoroastrian.

Language: Persian
Government: Islamic Republic

Currency: Rial
GDP: $456 billion
GDP Per Head: $7,000

Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, sulphur & zinc.
Land Use: Arable Land 10%
Agriculture: Grains including wheat & rice, sugarbeets, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool & caviar.
Industry: Oil, gas, carpets, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production) & armaments.

Tourism: Iran is still a dangerous country to visit at present and you should be vigiliant at all times. Those that do travel there will be able to view magnificent ruins of ancient cities, plus glorious mosques and mausoleums and many museums in case you have missed some of the history! There is trekking and budget-priced skiing for the more adventurous.

Natural Hazards: Periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes along western border and in the north east.
Health Risks: Diarrhea, malaria, cholera, schistosomiasis & altitude sickness.

Climate: Iran has a continental climate, but much of the country has a desert climate too. Summers are fairly hot winters can be extremely cold. Generally, rainfall occurs from October to May with annual average precipitation in the coastal areas between 31 to 79 inches while high humidity is also common along the coastal areas. Average temperature ranges in Tehran are from -3 to 7 degrees Celsius in January to 22 to 37 degrees Celsius in July.

Time: GMT/UTC + 3.5 hours
National Days: There are numerous public holidays and we have listed these below.

January 14 - Birthday of Imam Reza. February 11 - Victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. February 12 - Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). March 5 - Islamic New Year. March 13 - Tassou’a. March 14 - Ashoura. March 20 - Oil Nationalisation Day. March 21-25 - Nowrooz (Iranian New Year). April 1 - Islamic Republic Day. April 2 -Sizdah-Bedar (Public Outing Day to end Now Rooz). April 23 - Arba’in-e Hosseini. May 1 - Death of the Prophet and Martyrdom of Imam Hassan. May 19 - Prophet’s Birthday and Imam Sadeq. June 4 - Death of Imam Khomeini. June 5 - Anniversary of Uprising Against the Shah. September 10 - Birthday of Iman Ali. September 24 - Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet). October 12 - Birthday of Imam Mahdi. November 16 - Martyrdom of Imam Ali. November 21 - Quds Day. November 26-28 - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). December 20 - Martyrdom of Imam Sadeq.

Visas: All foreign nationals need a visa to visit Iran. You should take sensible precautions and make sure that your travel documentation is in order and check the expiry date of their visa before travelling. Visa applications should be lodged well in advance of the date of travel to Iran. If you overstay your visa you can be required to remain in Iran until the situation has been resolved.

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