GEOGRAPHY
General Information
The Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) is a state located in Southwest Asia. It is washed by the Caspian Sea from the north and the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman from the south. Until 1935, Iran was known as Persia.
Most of the state's territory is located on the Iranian Plateau. Numerous mountain ranges divide the plateau and river basins.
The Zagros – the largest mountain system of modern Iran – stretches for more than 1500 km from the northwestern province of Kurdistan near the border with Iraq to the Strait of Hormuz in the south of the country.
The highest point in Iran – Mount Damavand (5609 m above sea level) – belongs to the Alborz mountain system, located along the coast of the Caspian Sea.
Among the numerous Iranian deserts, two are distinguished, located in the central and eastern parts of the country: the Dasht-e Kavir, the largest desert in Iran with an area of 55 000 sq. km, and the Dasht-e Lut – a desert included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The temperature on the sand surface of Dasht-e Lut reaches 70,7°C, making this place one of the hottest and driest in the world.
Iran is one of the most significant producers of minerals in the world. The territory of the state contains the largest reserves of oil, as well as approximately 17% of the world's proven natural gas reserves. In addition, Iran has large coal, ore, sand and gravel, chemical, and salt deposits.
The area of the country is 1 648 195 sq. km.
The length of the coastline is 2440 km.
State Borders
The length of the land border is 5440 km.
It borders the following countries:
- Azerbaijan (611 km);
- Turkmenistan (992 km);
- Armenia (35 km);
- Turkey (499 km);
- Iraq (1458 km);
- Afghanistan (936 km);
- Pakistan (909 km).
Climate
In most of Iran's territory, the climate is subtropical continental; on the coasts of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, it is tropical continental. Summer is hot everywhere: average July temperatures are 29-32°C. Winter in the north and inland is cool: temperatures can drop below 0°C; in the south, winter is warm: average January temperatures on the Persian Gulf coast are 22-25°C.