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Iran 631,660 square miles
1976 miles of coast line
Population of 65,000,000 The Islamic Republic of Iran
is located in southwestern Asia on the Caspian and Arabian seas and the Persian Gulf Iran is 1.65 sq. km. in area. This is approximately 1/9th the size of the USA. The estimated population of Iran is 65 million. The official language of Iran is Persian (Farsi). It is an Indo-European language in the same family as English.
Religion in Iran:
Shi'a Islam is the state religion of Iran. All deviations or defections from Shi'a Islam are subject to persecution. Patrick Johnstone in Operation World (Zondervan Publishers, 1993) estimated that 99% of Iranians are Muslim (87% Shi'a and 12% Sunni). .5% are Baha'i. .4% are Christian .1% are Jews. .04% are Zoroastrian.
Ethnic Groups in Iran: Over 65 ethnic groups reside in Iran. Some of the major ethnic groups in Iran are Persian, Azerbijani, Luri, Kurd, Baluch, Turkmen, Qashqai, and Parsee. Opportunities: There are opportunities to contribute to the work being done in Iran. People Groups in Iran
The are also known as Iranians. They speak the Farsi language. They began to settle in what is now Iran around the year 1000 BC. Their religion was
Zoroastrianism. They were conquered by the Arabs in the seventh century AD. Shi'a Islam became the national religion of Iran in the 16th century. Tremendous changes came again to the Persians during the Islamic
revolution of 1979. Today most Persians are Shi'a muslims. Most Persians live in Iran or a nearby Middle East country. Persian communities can also be found in the US, Europe, and other parts of the world.
or Azari, a Turkish people, have been influenced greatly by the Persians. They have been invaded many times and are spread throughout Central Asia. Traditionally they had a clan family structure and were farmers or
herders. Now many Azeri have moved to cities and towns to work in industry. They are mostly Muslims. are a nomadic shepherding tribe that travel most of the year living in tents. Some Luri farm and live in
permanent villages. They live in the Zagros Mountains of southwest Iran. Their language "Luri" is similar to Farsi. The Luri are Shi'a Muslims. The Luri are having serious economic and political difficulties.
Most Luri children do not attend school. are the largest people group without a homeland. They live in parts of Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. The Northern Kurd live in a rugged area on the Turkey-Iran border.
The Southern Kurd live along the Iraq-Iran border in Kermanshah and Luristan. Both groups face problems with scarce water and disease. Kurd are traditionally farmers and herders. Most Kurd now live in small villages.
Nearly all are Muslim. Politically they are an oppressed people. number approximately 8 million people. The majority live in Pakistan but a significant number are in Iran. The Baluch speak various
languages. They are still isolated and self-sufficient. They farm and shepherd. They are organized into tribes. They are Sunni Muslims. Their literacy rate is poor. Very little missions work is being done.
live on the northern border of Iran. There are approximately 2 million of them in Iran just south of Turkmenistan. They have lived traditionally as nomadic herdsmen. Some now live is permanent homes. They are known for
their beautiful carpets. They are mostly Hanafi Sunni Muslims. Some are Shias. There is a 50% literacy rate. are nomads who live in the deserts of southwest Iran. Their language "Qashqai Turki"
has not been written. Most know Farsi. They are "professing" Muslims. The wealthy Qashqai own land. The more numerous lower class are shepherds, and laborers. The women are known for their weaving. They
profess Islam. are located in India, Pakistan, and Iran. There are approximately 3 million Parsees in the world, with about 2 million living in Iran. They are Zoroastrian. They have no Bible in their
language. by other peoples in contact with them, they are looked upon as kind, gentle, and honest. They are usually business men and professionals and find government positions.
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