Iran, a mountainous, arid, and ethnically diverse country of southwestern Asia. The heart of the Persian empire of antiquity, Iran has long played an important role in the region as an imperial power and as a factor in superpower rivalries. Modern Iranian culture owes itself in part to a renaissance in the 8th century.

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 placed Shi'a clergy in positions of political power; the Supreme Leader of Iran is a Shi'a ayatollah, or Islamic scholar and judge. Iran's constitution recognizes Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism (Persia's main pre-Islamic faith) as protected belief systems.

This article discusses the history of Iran from 640 ce to the present. For the history of the region before the 7th century, see ancient Iran. …the coterminous region of southeastern Iran. This geographic region is the least-developed in Iran, partially owing to its harsh physical conditions ...

HISTORY OF IRAN (PERSIA) including Medes and Persians, Cyrus the Great, Darius, The Persian empire, The Persian army, Persian couriers, The architecture of empire, Persian carpets

Introduction - Iran and ancient Persia have a long, creative and glorious history. Unlike many other Middle East countries, Iran managed to remain independent throughout much of its history. Today, Iran has a population of about 70 million persons. Principle ethnic groups are Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7% and Arab 3%. Iran is a Muslim country, with 89% Shi'a and 10 ...

Iran is home to one of the world's oldest continuous major civilizations, with historical and urban settlements dating back to 4000 BC. The Medes unified Iran as a nation and empire in 625 BC.. The Islamic conquest of Persia (633–656) and the end of the Sassanid Empire was a turning point in Iranian history. Iran had been a monarchy ruled by a shah, or emperor, almost without interruption ...

A summary of the rich History of Iran & Greater Iran from 3200 BCE to 2013 CE (present). (Atlas) (Norouz special)

History of Ancient Persia, The Persian Gulf and Iranian Plateau. This is a historical documentary with great graphics. Provides a wonderful perspective of why this region of the world is so important.