Download This Sample
This sample is exclusively for KidsKonnect members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup for free (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!
Sign Me Up
Table of Contents
Iran is an Islamic Republic located in West Asia. Formerly known as Persia, Iran is home to one of the largest empires in the world, the Persian Empire, as well as one of the world’s oldest religions, Zoroastrianism.
See the fact file below for more information on the Iran or alternatively, you can download our 23-page Iran worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
GEOGRAPHY
- Iran, with Tehran as its capital city, is located in West Asia (Middle East) and is part of the Arab states. It is bordered to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the east by Afghanistan and Pakistan, to the south by the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and to the west by Iraq and Turkey.
- Iran is the 17th largest country in the world with an area of 636,372 square miles (1,648,105 square kilometers). Its major mountain ranges are Elburz and Zagros, with Mt. Damavand as the country’s highest peak with an elevation of 5,609.2 m (18,403 ft). Its major rivers are Karun, Karkeh, and Zayandeh. Moreover, the country has desert basins, seen in the Kavir Desert, and a handful of salt lakes.
- Due to its location being near the Arabian Desert and brought forth by the humidity of the Mediterranean area, Iran has a diverse climate. It ranges from arid and semi-arid, to subtropical, characterizing the country as having a hot, dry climate. It is observed as having lengthy, hot, dry summers and short, cool winters.
- Iran is home to a smatter of Persian leopards and Asiatic cheetahs (Iranian cheetahs). Its mountains and plateaus serve as habitat for several wildlife animals, such as leopards, wild goats, brown bears, Eurasian lynx, wild pigs, gray wolves, gazelles, foxes, and panthers. Previously, the country was also home to Asiatic lions and extinct Caspian tigers.
PEOPLE and CULTURE
- The recognized official language of Iran is Persian. Others comprise of the Indo-European language family, and languages belonging to some other ethnicities in the country such as Turkic, Semitic, and Caucasian languages.
- The ethnic groups in the country can be identified mostly by the spoken languages. The largest ethnic group is the Persians (61%), followed by Azerbaijanis (16%), Kurds (10%), Lurs (6%), Balochs (2%), Arabs (2%), Turkmens and other tribes (2%), and others, mostly comprises of Armenians, Assyrians, Circassians, Georgians, and Talysh, (1%).
- Being one of the Arab states, Iran’s official religion is Shia Islam. Minorities include Suffi Islam, Christian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian.
- Zoroastrianism, one of the world’s oldest religions, originated in Iran, formed 4,000 years ago with its founder Zoroaster.
- Religion is an integral part of the lives of Iranians as can be predominantly observed in their festivals such as Ramadan, Eid, and Ashura for the Muslims. The Jewish population observe Purim and Hanukah, Noel for Christians, and Sadeh and Mehrgan for the Zoroastrians.
- Uniquely Iranian, the country’s new year celebration, Persian New Year, starts with Nowruz (new day), an ancient practice being celebrated annually during the vernal equinox (March). Hence, the country follows the Solar Hejri calendar for the Nowruz’s accuracy.
- As for Iranian art, literature, music, and architecture, they are mostly influenced by Islam and Persian traditions. In history, Iran’s Golden Age produced philosophical, medicinal, and mathematical works which are recognized internationally.
- As a matter of fact, Al-Khwarizmi, an Iranian medieval scientist, played a significant role in the development of algebra and Arabic numerals.
- As for Iran’s famous delicacies, widely recognized as Persian Cuisine, it comprises of combinations of rice with meat, vegetables, and nuts.
HISTORY and GOVERNMENT
- Iran is home to some of the oldest civilizations in the world. The country’s first great city, Susa, dates to early 4,395 B.C. and is located along the Iranian plateau.
- In 559 B.C., the Persian Empire rose to greatness in the southern part of Iran. The empire successfully conquered the Egyptians and Mesopotamians resulting in the empire’s expansion. The empire extended from Iran to modern-day Pakistan. In 330 BC, the empire was conquered by the Greeks.
- In 224 A.D., the Sassanids rose into power. Through this, Persia became part of the Islamic empire in 642 A.D.
- In the early part of the 15th century, Persia came under the leadership of the Safavids. It marked the empire’s unification and adoption of Shia Islam.
- By the latter part of the 18th century, Russia and Britain took control over some parts of Persia due to a series of conflicts.
- By 1921, Reza Shah Pahlavi became the new leader of Persia and deposed the ruling Shah (king) in 1925. Pahlavi reformed the country by building railways and roads, promoting industrial growth, creating public schools, and giving women more rights and freedoms. In 1935, he changed Persia’s Greek name to “Iran” and became Shah in 1941.
- In 1979, Pahlavi was indicted of corruption and was forced to flee the country. This event marked the end of shah ruling in Iran and shifted to religious leaders instead.
- The first religious leader was Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. He remained in power for ten years. His term in power was signified by tensions with the United States and long wars.
- Today, Iran’s government, the Islamic Republic, is guided by Shia Islamic ideologies making it a theocratic form of government. Iran’s head of state is the supreme leader, a religious leader who is appointed by a group of Islamic clerics, the Assembly of Experts. Furthermore, the country’s head of the government is the president (executive powers). The country also has a legislative body which is bicameral, which means it comprises two chambers – the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Guardian Council. The country’s head of the judiciary, the Chief Justice, is appointed by the Supreme Leader.
Iran Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Iran across 23 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Iran worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Iran which is an Islamic Republic located in West Asia. Formerly known as Persia, Iran is home to one of the largest empires in the world, the Persian Empire, as well as one of the world’s oldest religions, Zoroastrianism.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Iran Facts
- Iran in the West Asia
- Find the Cities
- Odd One Out
- Fact or Bluff
- The Land of the Aryans
- Symbols of Iran
- Iran’s Famous Delicacies
- Discover Iran
- Iran Today
- Iran’s Legacy
Link/cite this page
If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.
Link will appear as Iran Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 28, 2018
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.