Facts

Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan

Area (only Total) total: 1.648 million sq km

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

Population: 65,875,223 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Persian and Persian dialects

Government type: theocratic republic

Capital (Name): Tehran

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+3.5

Independence: 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed)

National holiday: Republic Day, 1 April (1979)

HOLIDAYS

January 1 New Year's Day

January 20 Islamic New Year

January 19 Ashoura

February 11 Revolution Day

March 20 Prophet's Birthday

March 20 Day of Nationalization of the Oil Industry

March 21 Noruz

April 1 Islamic Republic Day

April 2 Sizdah-bedar (National day to end Noruz)

July 31 Ascension of Prophet

October 1 Eid Al Fitr

December 8 Eid Al Adha

Weekend - Friday