Assignment #1

1. What is your country’s governmental system? Provide a definition.
Iran has a theocratic, republican government. This is a system of government is a combination of a state in which Shiite clerics rule in the name of God, along with representatives that were elected by the people. Ultimate power is held in the hands of the religious authorities.

2. List five important events in your country’s history since 1914.

Iran gained its independence and became an Islamic republic in 1979.

Iranian students took control of the US Embassy in Tehran on Nov. 4, 1979 and had control until Jan. 20, 1981.

From 1980 to 1988, Iran fought a war with Iraq. This war was bloody, indecisive and eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf.

Nationwide municipal elections started in 2003.

The UN Security Council has passed a number of resolutions in July 2006, December 2006, March 2007, March 2008, and September 2008. These resolutions called for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing activities and comply with its IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) obligations and responsibilities.

3. What is your country’s economic system?

Large economic activity is controlled by the state, but private activity is limited to small-scale workshops, farming, and services.

4. List your nation’s five largest trading partners?

Imports (2007)

China 14.2%, Germany 9.6%, UAE 9.1%, South Korea 6.3%, Russia 5.7%

Exports (2007)

China 15%, Japan 14.3%, Turkey 7.4%, South Korea 7.3%, Italy 6.4%

5. What is the monetary size of your domestic and foreign debt?

Domestic – 25% of GDP (2008 est.)

Foreign – $21.77 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

6. To which country does your country owe the most money?

Bank Markazi (central bank)

7. What is the numerical size of your standing and reserve armed forces?

Standing - 540,000

Reserve - 350,000

8. Are you a nuclear power?

No, Iran is not a nuclear power.

9. List your country’s most important cultural values.

Sharia – Islamic law

People are strongly in favor in the preservation of the Islamic Republic

Respect for pre-Islamic, Persian traditions (ex. Persian New Year)

10. To what extent, if any, does your government control media and culture? Briefly describe.

Iran's media is owned privately and publicly, but is subject to the control of the government’s strict censorship programs. These programs limit the availability of information, especially Western influences and anything seen as going against the religious regulations.

11. List your country’s most important resources.

Petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc and sulfur

12. List the important resources your country lacks.

Machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, livestock, paper, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, metals and textiles

13. What is your country’s population?

66,429,284 (July 2009 est.)

14. What is your country’s main religion? What percentage of your people practices this religion?

Muslim 98% (Shiite 89%, Sunni 9%)

15. List other religions, if there are any, which play an important role in your country.

Other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2%

State recognizes all but Baha’i because they are not “People of the Book”

16. What is your government’s policy towards religion and state?

State is under control of religion’s authority

Assembly of Experts – group of clerics

They choose who can run for office

Openly don’t separate church and state