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Iran
Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 53 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 1.648
million sq km Area—comparative: slightly larger than Alaska Land boundaries:
total: 5,440 km Coastline: 2,440 km Maritime claims: Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast Terrain: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts Elevation extremes: Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur Land use: Irrigated land: 94,000 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes along western border and in the northeast Environment—current issues: air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; inadequate supplies of potable water Population: 65,179,752 (July 1999 est.) Nationality: Country name: Data code: IR Government type: theocratic republic Capital: Tehran Independence: 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed) |
![[Country Flag of Iran]](http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/figures/ir-lgflag.jpg)