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Compare Iran (2001) - Bhutan (2001)

Compare Iran (2001) z Bhutan (2001)

 Iran (2001)Bhutan (2001)
 IranBhutan
Administrative divisions 28 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Bushehr, Chahar Mahall va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan, Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Buyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang

note:
there may be two new districts named Gasa and Yangtse
Age structure 0-14 years:
32.97% (male 11,150,053; female 10,654,884)

15-64 years:
62.38% (male 20,765,001; female 20,488,672)

65 years and over:
4.65% (male 1,617,045; female 1,453,310) (2001 est.)
0-14 years:
39.99% (male 424,832; female 394,725)

15-64 years:
56.05% (male 591,152; female 557,498)

65 years and over:
3.96% (male 41,125; female 40,080) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs
Airports 317 (2000 est.) 2 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
117

over 3,047 m:
38

2,438 to 3,047 m:
23

1,524 to 2,437 m:
25

914 to 1,523 m:
24

under 914 m:
7 (2000 est.)
total:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
200

over 3,047 m:
2

2,438 to 3,047 m:
3

1,524 to 2,437 m:
13

914 to 1,523 m:
122

under 914 m:
60 (2000 est.)
total:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Area total:
1.648 million sq km

land:
1.636 million sq km

water:
12,000 sq km
total:
47,000 sq km

land:
47,000 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Alaska about half the size of Indiana
Background Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces subsequently crushed westernizing liberal elements. Militant Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and held it until 20 January 1981. During 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq over disputed territory. The key current issue is how rapidly the country should open up to the modernizing influences of the outside world. Under British influence a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later a treaty was signed whereby the country became a British protectorate. Independence was attained in 1949, with India subsequently guiding foreign relations and supplying aid. A refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of these displaced persons are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps. Maoist Assamese separatists from India, who have established themselves in the southeast portion of Bhutan, have drawn Indian cross-border incursions.
Birth rate 17.1 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 35.73 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$27 billion

expenditures:
$27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999)
revenues:
$146 million

expenditures:
$152 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96 est.)

note:
the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures
Capital Tehran Thimphu
Climate mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas
Coastline 2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km) 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution 2-3 December 1979; revised 1989 to expand powers of the presidency and eliminate the prime ministership no written constitution or bill of rights; note - Bhutan uses 1953 Royal decree for the Constitution of the National Assembly; on 7 July 1998, a Royal edict was ratified giving the National Assembly additional powers
Country name conventional long form:
Islamic Republic of Iran

conventional short form:
Iran

local long form:
Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran

local short form:
Iran

former:
Persia
conventional long form:
Kingdom of Bhutan

conventional short form:
Bhutan
Currency Iranian rial (IRR) ngultrum (BTN); Indian rupee (INR)
Death rate 5.41 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 14.03 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $7.5 billion (2000 est.) $120 million (1998)
Diplomatic representation from the US none; note - protecting power in Iran is Switzerland the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India)
Diplomatic representation in the US none; note - Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy; address: Iranian Interests Section, Pakistani Embassy, 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; telephone: [1] (202) 965-4990 none; note - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US

consulate(s) general:
New York
Disputes - international Iran and Iraq restored diplomatic relations in 1990 but are still trying to work out written agreements settling outstanding disputes from their eight-year war concerning border demarcation, prisoners-of-war, and freedom of navigation and sovereignty over the Shatt al Arab waterway; Iran occupies two islands in the Persian Gulf claimed by the UAE: Lesser Tunb (called Tunb as Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek in Persian by Iran) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb al Kubra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by Iran); Iran jointly administers with the UAE an island in the Persian Gulf claimed by the UAE (called Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in Persian by Iran) - over which Iran has taken steps to exert unilateral control since 1992, including access restrictions and a military build-up on the island; the UAE has garnered significant diplomatic support in the region in protesting these Iranian actions; Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan refugee issue over the presence in Nepal of approximately 98,700 Bhutanese refugees, 90% of whom are in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps
Economic aid - recipient $116.5 million (1995) $73.8 million (1995)
Economy - overview Iran's economy is a mixture of central planning, state ownership of oil and other large enterprises, village agriculture, and small-scale private trading and service ventures. President KHATAMI has continued to follow the market reform plans of former President RAFSANJANI and has indicated that he will pursue diversification of Iran's oil-reliant economy although he has made little progress toward that goal. The strong oil market in 1996 helped ease financial pressures on Iran and allowed for Tehran's timely debt service payments. Iran's financial situation tightened in 1997 and deteriorated further in 1998 because of lower oil prices. The subsequent zoom in oil prices in 1999-2000 afforded Iran fiscal breathing room but does not solve Iran's structural economic problems, including the encouragement of foreign investment. The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than 90% of the population. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links. The industrial sector is technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources. The Bhutanese Government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving social welfare. Model education, social, and environment programs in Bhutan are underway with support from multilateral development organizations. Each economic program takes into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. Detailed controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.
Electricity - consumption 95.84 billion kWh (1999) 191.1 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 1.55 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 15 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 103.054 billion kWh (1999) 1.856 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
93.16%

hydro:
6.84%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel:
0.05%

hydro:
99.95%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Caspian Sea -28 m

highest point:
Qolleh-ye Damavand 5,671 m
lowest point:
Drangme Chhu 97 m

highest point:
Kula Kangri 7,553 m
Environment - current issues air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; inadequate supplies of potable water soil erosion; limited access to potable water
Environment - international agreements party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban

signed, but not ratified:
Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1% Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15%
Exchange rates Iranian rials per US dollar - 1,754.71 (January 2001), 1,764.43 (2000), 1,725.93 (1999), 1,751.86 (1998), 1,752.92 (1997), 1,750.76 (1996)

note:
Iran has three officially recognized exchange rates; the averages for 1999 are as follows: the official floating rate of 1,750 rials per US dollar, the "export" rate of 3,000 rials per US dollar, and the variable Tehran Stock Exchange rate, which averages 7,863 rials per US dollar; the market rate averages 8,615 rials per US dollar
ngultrum per US dollar - 46.540 (January 2001), 44.942 (2000), 43.055 (1999), 41.259 (1998), 36.313 (1997), 35.433 (1996); note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee which is also legal tender
Executive branch chief of state:
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989)

head of government:
President (Ali) Mohammad KHATAMI-Ardakani (since 3 August 1997); First Vice President Dr. Mohammad Reza AREF-YAZDI (since NA August 2001)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval

elections:
leader of the Islamic Revolution appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 8 June 2001 (next to be held NA 2005)

election results:
(Ali) Mohammad KHATAMI-Ardakani reelected president; percent of vote - (Ali) Mohammad KHATAMI-Ardakani 77%
chief of state:
King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)

head of government:
Chairman of the Council of Ministers Sangay NGEDUP (since NA 1999)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) nominated by the monarch, approved by the National Assembly; members serve fixed, five-year terms; note - there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the monarch

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary, but democratic reforms in July 1998 give the National Assembly authority to remove the monarch with two-thirds vote
Exports $25 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) $154 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities petroleum 85%, carpets, fruits and nuts, iron and steel, chemicals cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to India), precious stones, spices
Exports - partners Japan, Italy, UAE, South Korea, France, China India 94%, Bangladesh
Fiscal year 21 March - 20 March 1 July - 30 June
Flag description three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $413 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $2.3 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
24%

industry:
28%

services:
48% (2000 est.)
agriculture:
38%

industry:
37%

services:
25% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $6,300 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 3% (2000 est.) 6% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 32 00 N, 53 00 E 27 30 N, 90 30 E
Geography - note - landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes
Heliports 11 (2000 est.) -
Highways total:
140,200 km

paved:
49,440 km (including 470 km of expressways)

unpaved:
90,760 km (1998 est.)
total:
3,285 km

paved:
1,994 km

unpaved:
1,291 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs despite substantial interdiction efforts, Iran remains a key transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; domestic consumption of narcotics remains a persistent problem and Iranian press reports estimate that there are at least 1.2 million drug users in the country -
Imports $15 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.) $269 million (c.i.f., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services, military supplies fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice
Imports - partners Germany, South Korea, Italy, UAE, France, Japan India 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US
Independence 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed) 8 August 1949 (from India)
Industrial production growth rate 4.4% (nonoil) (1999) 9.3% (1996 est.)
Industries petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), metal fabricating, armaments cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide
Infant mortality rate 29.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 108.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 16% (2000 est.) 7% (2000 est.)
International organization participation CCC, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 8 (2000) NA
Irrigated land 94,000 sq km (1993 est.) 340 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court Supreme Court of Appeal (the monarch); High Court (judges appointed by the monarch)
Labor force 17.3 million

note:
shortage of skilled labor (1998)
NA

note:
massive lack of skilled labor
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 33%, industry 25%, services 42% (1999 est.) agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2%
Land boundaries total:
5,440 km

border countries:
Afghanistan 936 km, Armenia 35 km, Azerbaijan-proper 432 km, Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave 179 km, Iraq 1,458 km, Pakistan 909 km, Turkey 499 km, Turkmenistan 992 km
total:
1,075 km

border countries:
China 470 km, India 605 km
Land use arable land:
10%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
27%

forests and woodland:
7%

other:
55% (1993 est.)
arable land:
2%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
6%

forests and woodland:
66%

other:
26% (1993 est.)
Languages Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2% Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects
Legal system the Constitution codifies Islamic principles of government based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami (290 seats, note - changed from 270 seats with the 18 February 2000 election; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 18 February-NA April 2000 (next to be held NA 2004)

election results:
percent of vote - NA%; seats by party - reformers 170, conservatives 45, and independents 10; 65 seats were up for runoff election on 5 May 2000 (reformers 52, conservatives 10, independents 3)
unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 10 represent religious bodies, and 35 are designated by the monarch to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms)

elections:
last held NA (next to be held NA)

election results:
NA
Life expectancy at birth total population:
69.95 years

male:
68.61 years

female:
71.37 years (2001 est.)
total population:
52.79 years

male:
53.16 years

female:
52.41 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
72.1%

male:
78.4%

female:
65.8% (1994 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
42.2%

male:
56.2%

female:
28.1% (1995 est.)
Location Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan Southern Asia, between China and India
Map references Middle East Asia
Maritime claims contiguous zone:
24 NM

continental shelf:
natural prolongation

exclusive economic zone:
bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf

territorial sea:
12 NM
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total:
152 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,097,977 GRT/7,131,688 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 49, cargo 38, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 1, container 10, liquefied gas 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 6, petroleum tanker 32, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 9, short-sea passenger 1

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Singapore 1 (2000 est.)
-
Military branches Islamic Republic of Iran regular forces (includes Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces), Revolutionary Guards (includes Ground, Air, Navy, Qods, and Basij-mobilization-forces), Law Enforcement Forces Royal Bhutan Army, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, Royal Body Guards, Forest Guards (paramilitary)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $5.787 billion (FY98/99) $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2.9% (FY98/99) NA%
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
18,319,328 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
504,342 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
10,872,407 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
269,251 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 21 years of age 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
823,040 (2001 est.)
males:
21,167 (2001 est.)
National holiday Republic Day, 1 April (1979) National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
Nationality noun:
Iranian(s)

adjective:
Iranian
noun:
Bhutanese (singular and plural)

adjective:
Bhutanese
Natural hazards periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes along western border and in the northeast violent storms coming down from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season
Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide
Net migration rate -4.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 5,900 km; petroleum products 3,900 km; natural gas 4,550 km -
Political parties and leaders the following organizations appeared to have achieved considerable success at elections to the sixth Majlis in early 2000: Assembly of the Followers of the Imam's Line, Freethinkers' Front, Islamic Iran Participation Front, Moderation and Development Party, Servants of Construction Party, Society of Self-sacrificing Devotees no legal parties
Political pressure groups and leaders active student groups include the pro-reform "Organization for Strengthening Unity" and "the Union of Islamic Student Societies'; groups that generally support the Islamic Republic include Ansar-e Hizballah, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution, Muslim Students Following the Line of the Imam, and the Islamic Coalition Association; opposition groups include the Liberation Movement of Iran and the Nation of Iran party; armed political groups that have been almost completely repressed by the government include Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK), People's Fedayeen, Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan; the Society for the Defense of Freedom Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign; Indian merchant community; United Front for Democracy (exiled)
Population 66,128,965 (July 2001 est.) 2,049,412 (July 2001 est.)

note:
other estimates range as low as 800,000
Population below poverty line 53% (1996 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 0.72% (2001 est.) 2.17% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Abadan (largely destroyed in fighting during 1980-88 war), Ahvaz, Bandar 'Abbas, Bandar-e Anzali, Bushehr, Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni, Bandar-e Lengeh, Bandar-e Mahshahr, Bandar-e Torkaman, Chabahar (Bandar Beheshti), Jazireh-ye Khark, Jazireh-ye Lavan, Jazireh-ye Sirri, Khorramshahr (limited operation since November 1992), Now Shahr none
Radio broadcast stations AM 72, FM 5, shortwave 5 (1998) AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 17 million (1997) 37,000 (1997)
Railways total:
5,600 km

broad gauge:
94 km 1.676-m gauge

standard gauge:
5,506 km 1.435-m gauge (146 km electrified)

note:
broad gauge track is employed at the borders with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan which have broad-gauge rail systems (2001)
0 km
Religions Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 10%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 1% Lamaistic Buddhist 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
1.11 male(s)/female

total population:
1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.08 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
1.03 male(s)/female

total population:
1.07 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 15 years of age; universal each family has one vote in village-level elections
Telephone system general assessment:
inadequate but currently being modernized and expanded with the goal of not only improving the efficiency and increasing the volume of the urban service but also bringing telephone service to several thousand villages, not presently connected

domestic:
as a result of heavy investing in the telephone system since 1994, the number of long-distance channels in the microwave radio relay trunk has grown substantially; many villages have been brought into the net; the number of main lines in the urban systems has approximately doubled; and thousands of mobile cellular subscribers are being served; moreover, the technical level of the system has been raised by the installation of thousands of digital switches

international:
HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; submarine fiber-optic cable to UAE with access to Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion to Georgia and Azerbaijan; satellite earth stations - 9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat; Internet service available but limited to electronic mail to promote Iranian culture
general assessment:
NA

domestic:
domestic telephone service is very poor with few telephones in use

international:
international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990)
Telephones - main lines in use 6.313 million (1997) 6,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 265,000 (August 1998) NA
Television broadcast stations 28 (plus 450 low-power repeaters) (1997) 0 (1997)
Terrain rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna
Total fertility rate 2.02 children born/woman (2001 est.) 5.07 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 14% (1999 est.) NA%
Waterways 904 km

note:
the Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 m and is in use
none
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