Cost of living > Average monthly disposable salary > After tax $447.61

Ranked 110th. $3,258.85

Ranked 12th. 7 times more than Iran

Crime > Crime levels 54.87

Ranked 33th. 55.84

Ranked 30th. 2% more than Iran

Crime > Violent crime > Murder rate 2,215

Ranked 21st. 12,996

Ranked 9th. 6 times more than Iran



Economy > GDP $514.06 billion

Ranked 24th. $15.68 trillion

Ranked 2nd. 31 times more than Iran



Economy > GDP per capita $6,815.57

Ranked 84th. $49,965.27

Ranked 10th. 7 times more than Iran



Economy > Population below poverty line 18%

Ranked 15th. 19% more than United States 15.1%

Ranked 34th.



Geography > Land area > Square miles 636,313 square miles

Ranked 8th. 3.8 million square miles

Ranked 2nd. 6 times more than Iran

Government > Government type theocratic republic Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition



Government > Legal system Shia Islamic law common law system based on English common law at the federal level; state legal systems based on common law except Louisiana, which is based on Napoleonic civil code; judicial review of legislative acts



Health > Physicians > Per 1,000 people 0.45 per 1,000 people

Ranked 24th. 2.3 per 1,000 people

Ranked 31st. 5 times more than Iran



Military > Air force > Combat aircraft 407

Ranked 1st. 3,318

Ranked 1st. 8 times more than Iran

People > Population 79.85 million

Ranked 18th. 316.67 million

Ranked 3rd. 4 times more than Iran



Geography > Area > Comparative slightly smaller than Alaska about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; more than twice the size of the European Union



Crime > Age of criminal responsibility 9

Ranked 46th. 50% more than United States 6

Ranked 58th.

Economy > Budget surplus > + or deficit > - -2.4% of GDP

Ranked 79th. -6.8% of GDP

Ranked 157th. 3 times more than Iran



Geography > Climate mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains



Geography > Area > Land 1.64 million sq km

Ranked 18th. 9.16 million sq km

Ranked 4th. 6 times more than Iran



Government > Legislative branch unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e-Shura-ye-Eslami or Majles bicameral Congress consists of the Senate



Geography > Geographic coordinates 32 00 N, 53 00 E 38 00 N, 97 00 W



Religion > Religions Muslim 98% (Shia 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2% Protestant 51.3%, Roman Catholic 23.9%, Mormon 1.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Jewish 1.7%, Buddhist 0.7%, Muslim 0.6%, other or unspecified 2.5%, unaffiliated 12.1%, none 4%



Cost of living > Local purchasing power 29.12

Ranked 101st. 128.73

Ranked 2nd. 4 times more than Iran

Military > Army > Main battle tanks 2,895

Ranked 1st. 8,725

Ranked 1st. 3 times more than Iran

Environment > Marine fish catch 233,495 tons

Ranked 39th. 3.33 million tons

Ranked 7th. 14 times more than Iran

Economy > Unemployment rate 15.5%

Ranked 19th. 91% more than United States 8.1%

Ranked 47th.



People > Ethnic groups Persian 61%, Azeri 16%, Kurd 10%, Lur 6%, Baloch 2%, Arab 2%, Turkmen and Turkic tribes 2%, other 1% white 79.96%, black 12.85%, Asian 4.43%, Amerindian and Alaska native 0.97%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.18%, two or more races 1.61% (July 2007 estimate)



Government > Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal



Geography > Area > Total 1.65 million sq km

Ranked 19th. 9.83 million sq km

Ranked 4th. 6 times more than Iran



People > Age distribution > Population aged 15-24 > Percent 10.25%

Ranked 145th. 11.22%

Ranked 80th. 9% more than Iran



Government > Constitution previous 1906; latest adopted 24 October 1979, effective 3 December 1979; amended 1989 previous 1781 (Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union); latest drafted July - September 1787, submitted to the Congress of the Confederation 20 September 1787, submitted for states' ratification 28 September 1787, ratification completed by nine sta



Agriculture > Arable land > Hectares 16.1 million hectares

Ranked 11th. 174.45 million hectares

Ranked 1st. 11 times more than Iran



Crime > Drugs > Annual cannabis use 4.2%

Ranked 1st. 13.7%

Ranked 1st. 3 times more than Iran

Labor > Salaries and benefits > Minimum wage The minimum wage was raised to 487,125 Iranian tomans (165$) (equal to 4,871,250 rials ) effective on the 2013 Persian New year ; set annually for each industrial sector and region. The standard workweek is 44 hours, and any work over 48 entitles the worker to overtime. The federal minimum wage in the United States is US$ 7.25 per hour. States may also set a minimum, in which case the higher of the two is controlling; some territories are exempt and have lower rates.

Government > Judicial branch The Supreme Court (Qeveh Qazaieh) and the four-member High Council of the Judiciary have a single head and overlapping responsibilities; together they supervise the enforcement of all laws and establish judicial and legal policies; lower courts include a special clerical court, a revolutionary court, and a special administrative court Supreme Court (nine justices; nominated by the president and confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate; appointed to serve for life); United States Courts of Appeal; United States District Courts; State and County Courts



Education > Children out of school, primary 3,468

Ranked 54th. 1.76 million

Ranked 3rd. 507 times more than Iran



Transport > Road > Motor vehicles per 1000 people 200

Ranked 72nd. 797

Ranked 3rd. 4 times more than Iran

People > Birth rate 18.4 births/1,000 population

Ranked 106th. 35% more than United States 13.66 births/1,000 population

Ranked 147th.



Crime > Drugs > Opiates use 2.26%

Ranked 1st. 4 times more than United States 0.57%

Ranked 3rd.

People > Population growth -0.165%

Ranked 119th. 0.122%

Ranked 53th.



Education > Pupil-teacher ratio, primary 20.49

Ranked 69th. 43% more than United States 14.29

Ranked 98th.



Economy > Budget > Revenues $79.69 billion

Ranked 38th. $2.45 trillion

Ranked 1st. 31 times more than Iran



People > Age distribution > Median age 48.34 years

Ranked 48th. 9% more than United States 44.38 years

Ranked 117th.



Economy > GDP > Per capita > PPP $13,000.00

Ranked 73th. $51,700.00

Ranked 6th. 4 times more than Iran



Government > Political parties and leaders <strong>note: </strong>formal political parties are a relatively new phenomenon in Iran and most conservatives still prefer to work through political pressure groups rather than parties; often political parties or coalitions are formed prior to elections and disbanded soon thereafter; a loose pro-reform coalition called the 2nd Khordad Front, which includes political parties as well as less formal groups and organizations, achieved considerable success in elections for the sixth Majles in early 2000; groups in the coalition included the Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF), Executives of Construction Party (Kargozaran), Solidarity Party, Islamic Labor Party, Mardom Salari, Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization (MIRO), and Militant Clerics Society (MCS; Ruhaniyun); the coalition participated in the seventh Majles elections in early 2004 but boycotted them after 80 incumbent reformists were disqualified; following his defeat in the 2005 presidential elections, former MCS Secretary General and sixth Majles Speaker Mehdi KARUBI formed the National Trust Party; a new conservative group, Islamic Iran Developers Coalition (Abadgaran), took a leading position in the new Majles after winning a majority of the seats in February 2004; ahead of the 2008 Majles elections, traditional and hardline conservatives attempted to close ranks under the United Front of Principlists and the Broad Popular Coalition of Principlists; several reformist groups, such as the MIRO and the IIPF, also came together as a reformist coalition in advance of the 2008 Majles elections; the IIPF has repeatedly complained that the overwhelming majority of its candidates were unfairly disqualified from the 2008 elections Democratic Party [Debbie Wasserman SCHULTZ]<br />Green Party<br />Libertarian Party [Mark HINKLE]<br />Republican Party [Reince PRIEBUS]



Economy > Economy > Overview Iran's economy is marked by statist policies and an inefficient state sector, which create major distortions throughout the system, and reliance on oil, which provides a large share of government revenues. Price controls, subsidies, and other rigidities weigh down the economy, undermining the potential for private-sector-led growth. Private sector activity is typically limited to small-scale workshops, farming, some manufacturing, and services. Significant informal market activity flourishes and corruption is widespread. Tehran since the early 1990s has recognized the need to reduce these inefficiencies, and in December 2010 the Majles passed President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD's Targeted Subsidies Law (TSL) to reduce state subsidies on food and energy. This was the most extensive economic reform since the government implemented gasoline rationing in 2007. Over a five-year period the legislation sought to phase out subsidies that previously cost Tehran $60-$100 billion annually and mostly benefited Iran''s upper and middle classes. Cash payouts of $45 per person to more than 90% of Iranian households mitigated initial widespread resistance to the TSL program. However, inflation in 2012 reached its highest level in four years, eroding the value of these cash payouts and motivating the Majles to halt planned price increases for the second half of 2012 through at least March 2013. New fiscal and monetary constraints on Tehran, following international sanctions in January against Iran''s Central Bank and oil exports, significantly reduced Iran''s oil revenue, forced government spending cuts, and fueled a 20% currency depreciation. Economic growth turned negative for the first time in two decades. Iran also continues to suffer from double-digit unemployment and underemployment. Underemployment among Iran''s educated youth has convinced many to seek jobs overseas, resulting in a significant "brain drain." The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $49,800. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment; their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a "two-tier labor market" in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. Since 1996, dividends and capital gains have grown faster than wages or any other category of after-tax income. Imported oil accounts for nearly 55% of US consumption. Crude oil prices doubled between 2001 and 2006, the year home prices peaked; higher gasoline prices ate into consumers' budgets and many individuals fell behind in their mortgage payments. Oil prices climbed another 50% between 2006 and 2008, and bank foreclosures more than doubled in the same period. Besides dampening the housing market, soaring oil prices caused a drop in the value of the dollar and a deterioration in the US merchandise trade deficit, which peaked at $840 billion in 2008. The sub-prime mortgage crisis, falling home prices, investment bank failures, tight credit, and the global economic downturn pushed the United States into a recession by mid-2008. GDP contracted until the third quarter of 2009, making this the deepest and longest downturn since the Great Depression. To help stabilize financial markets, in October 2008 the US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The government used some of these funds to purchase equity in US banks and industrial corporations, much of which had been returned to the government by early 2011. In January 2009 the US Congress passed and President Barack OBAMA signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus to be used over 10 years - two-thirds on additional spending and one-third on tax cuts - to create jobs and to help the economy recover. In 2010 and 2011, the federal budget deficit reached nearly 9% of GDP. In 2012 the federal government reduced the growth of spending and the deficit shrank to 7.6% of GDP. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan required major shifts in national resources from civilian to military purposes and contributed to the growth of the budget deficit and public debt. Through 2011, the direct costs of the wars totaled nearly $900 billion, according to US government figures. US revenues from taxes and other sources are lower, as a percentage of GDP, than those of most other countries. In March 2010, President OBAMA signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a health insurance reform that was designed to extend coverage to an additional 32 million American citizens by 2016, through private health insurance for the general population and Medicaid for the impoverished. Total spending on health care - public plus private - rose from 9.0% of GDP in 1980 to 17.9% in 2010. In July 2010, the president signed the DODD-FRANK Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, a law designed to promote financial stability by protecting consumers from financial abuses, ending taxpayer bailouts of financial firms, dealing with troubled banks that are "too big to fail," and improving accountability and transparency in the financial system - in particular, by requiring certain financial derivatives to be traded in markets that are subject to government regulation and oversight. In December 2012, the Federal Reserve Board announced plans to purchase $85 billion per month of mortgage-backed and Treasury securities in an effort to hold down long-term interest rates, and to keep short term rates near zero until unemployment drops to 6.5% from the December rate of 7.8%, or until inflation rises above 2.5%. Long-term problems include stagnation of wages for lower-income families, inadequate investment in deteriorating infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, energy shortages, and sizable current account and budget deficits - including significant budget shortages for state governments.



Economy > Exports $67.04 billion

Ranked 51st. $1.56 trillion

Ranked 2nd. 23 times more than Iran



Crime > Violent crime > Murders 2,215

Ranked 21st. 12,996

Ranked 9th. 6 times more than Iran



Government > Executive branch > Cabinet Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval



Health > Hospital beds > Per 1,000 people 1.6 per 1,000 people

Ranked 55th. 3.3 per 1,000 people

Ranked 37th. 2 times more than Iran



Education > Compulsary education duration 8

Ranked 82nd. 12

Ranked 14th. 50% more than Iran



People > Gender > Female population 46.54 million

Ranked 26th. 231.19 million

Ranked 4th. 5 times more than Iran



People > Age distribution > Population aged 0-14 > Total 13.92 million

Ranked 29th. 77.19 million

Ranked 4th. 6 times more than Iran



Military > Budget 10 US$ BN

Ranked 2nd. 682 US$ BN

Ranked 1st. 68 times more than Iran

Economy > GDP > Per capita $11,665.58 per capita

Ranked 67th. $45,759.46 per capita

Ranked 8th. 4 times more than Iran



Agriculture > Rural population 21,179

Ranked 152nd. 36% more than United States 15,540

Ranked 170th.



Energy > Electricity > Consumption > Per capita 2,160.44 kWh per capita

Ranked 80th. 12,747.49 kWh per capita

Ranked 3rd. 6 times more than Iran



People > Death rate 5.94 deaths/1,000 population

Ranked 165th. 8.39 deaths/1,000 population

Ranked 88th. 41% more than Iran



Environment > Ecological footprint 2.47

Ranked 63th. 12.22

Ranked 2nd. 5 times more than Iran

Government > Political pressure groups and leaders <strong>groups that generally support the Islamic Republic: </strong><br />Ansar-e Hizballah-<br />Followers of the Line of the Imam and the Leader<br />Islamic Coalition Party (Motalefeh)<br />Islamic Engineers Society<br />Tehran Militant Clergy Association (MCA; Ruhaniyat)<br /><br /><strong>active pro-reform student group:</strong><br />Office of Strengthening Unity (OSU)<br /><br /><strong>opposition groups:</strong><br />Freedom Movement of Iran<br />Green Path movement [Mehdi KARUBI, Mir-Hosein MUSAVI]<br />Marz-e Por Gohar<br />National Front<br />various ethnic and monarchist organizations<br /><br /><strong>armed political groups repressed by the government:</strong><br />Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI)<br />Jundallah<br />Komala<br />Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK or MKO)<br />People's Fedayeen<br />People's Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) environmentalists; business groups; labor unions; churches; ethnic groups; political action committees or PACs; health groups; education groups; civic groups; youth groups; transportation groups; agricultural groups; veterans groups; women's groups; reform lobbies



Geography > Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, rare earth elements, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber



Industry > Manufacturing, value added > Current US$ per capita $415.43

Ranked 87th. $5,778.47

Ranked 6th. 14 times more than Iran



Energy > Electricity > Consumption 182.7 billion kWh

Ranked 11th. 3.89 trillion kWh

Ranked 1st. 21 times more than Iran



Geography > Surface area > Sq. km 1.65 million kmÂ²

Ranked 17th. 9.63 million kmÂ²

Ranked 3rd. 6 times more than Iran



People > Population growth rate 1.24%

Ranked 94th. 38% more than United States 0.9%

Ranked 124th.



Geography > Area > Land > Per capita 24.84 sq km per 1,000 people

Ranked 68th. 30.16 sq km per 1,000 people

Ranked 60th. 21% more than Iran



Media > Telephones > Mobile cellular > Per capita 455.22 per 1,000 people

Ranked 93th. 846.78 per 1,000 people

Ranked 59th. 86% more than Iran



Agriculture > Agricultural land > Sq. km 489,570 sq. km

Ranked 21st. 4.11 million sq. km

Ranked 2nd. 8 times more than Iran



Health > Life expectancy at birth, total > Years 73.45

Ranked 97th. 78.64

Ranked 40th. 7% more than Iran



Energy > Electric power consumption > KWh per capita 2,648.84

Ranked 68th. 13,246.04

Ranked 9th. 5 times more than Iran



Military > Personnel > Per capita 8.57 per 1,000 people

Ranked 36th. 64% more than United States 5.22 per 1,000 people

Ranked 70th.



Agriculture > Arable land > Hectares per capita 0.233

Ranked 63th. 0.514

Ranked 14th. 2 times more than Iran



Agriculture > Agricultural growth 123

Ranked 48th. 15% more than United States 107

Ranked 105th.



Media > Internet users 8.21 million

Ranked 35th. 245 million

Ranked 2nd. 30 times more than Iran

Economy > Public debt 18.4% of GDP

Ranked 128th. 70% of GDP

Ranked 37th. 4 times more than Iran



Economy > Inflation rate > Consumer prices 19.9%

Ranked 9th. 9 times more than United States 2.1%

Ranked 160th.



Education > Pupil-teacher ratio, secondary 31.31

Ranked 4th. 2 times more than United States 14.49

Ranked 56th.



Industry > Manufacturing, value added > Current US$ $29.83 billion

Ranked 39th. $1.80 trillion

Ranked 1st. 60 times more than Iran



Language > Languages Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2% English 82.1%, Spanish 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and Pacific island 2.7%, other 0.7%; <i>note:</i> Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii

Transport > Road network length > Km

Economy > GDP > Composition, by sector of origin > Services 44.1%

Ranked 149th. 79.7%

Ranked 14th. 81% more than Iran

People > Age distribution > Population aged 15-24 > Total 9.67 million

Ranked 29th. 51.86 million

Ranked 4th. 5 times more than Iran



Military > Battle-related deaths > Number of people 190

Ranked 19th. 233

Ranked 18th. 23% more than Iran

Economy > Exports per capita $877.21

Ranked 107th. $4,972.70

Ranked 50th. 6 times more than Iran



Media > Personal computers > Per capita 109.14 per 1,000 people

Ranked 61st. 762.15 per 1,000 people

Ranked 4th. 7 times more than Iran



Geography > Average precipitation in depth > Mm per year 228

Ranked 159th. 715

Ranked 110th. 3 times more than Iran



Cost of living > Cinema ticket price > International release $2.50

Ranked 142nd. $10.00

Ranked 37th. 4 times more than Iran

People > Age distribution > Population aged 60 or over > Percent 36.61%

Ranked 49th. 14% more than United States 32.24%

Ranked 107th.



Cost of living > Clothing and shoe prices > Shoes > Pair of Nikes $109.21

Ranked 36th. 44% more than United States $76.09

Ranked 114th.

Government > Administrative divisions 31 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Alborz, Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi (West Azerbaijan), Azarbayjan-e Sharqi (East Azerbaijan), Bushehr, Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Jonubi (South Khorasan), Khorasan-e Razavi (Razavi Khorasan), Khorasan-e Shomali (North Khorasan), Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Bowyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming



People > Age distribution > Population aged 15-64 > Total 51.25 million

Ranked 28th. 261.45 million

Ranked 4th. 5 times more than Iran



Education > Literacy > Total population 79.4%

Ranked 110th. 99%

Ranked 20th. 25% more than Iran



People > Age distribution > Population aged 0-4 > Total 4.57 million

Ranked 29th. 25.57 million

Ranked 4th. 6 times more than Iran



People > Obesity > Adult obesity rate 19.4%

Ranked 97th. 33%

Ranked 16th. 70% more than Iran



Education > College and university > Gender parity index 1.01

Ranked 57th. 1.41

Ranked 33th. 39% more than Iran



Economy > Distribution of family income > Gini index 44.5

Ranked 5th. 45

Ranked 9th. 1% more than Iran



Religion > Religions > All Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 9%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 2% Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10% (2002 est.)

Education > Primary education, duration > Years 5

Ranked 152nd. 6

Ranked 53th. 20% more than Iran



Military > Global Peace Index 2.47

Ranked 26th. 16% more than United States 2.13

Ranked 4th.



Education > Secondary education, duration > Years 7

Ranked 31st. 17% more than United States 6

Ranked 102nd.



Military > Navy > Corvette warships 2

Ranked 2nd. The same as United States 2

Ranked 8th.

Energy > Electric power consumption > KWh 199.79 billion

Ranked 19th. 4.13 trillion

Ranked 2nd. 21 times more than Iran



Media > Televisions per 1000 67.26

Ranked 127th. 754.89

Ranked 3rd. 11 times more than Iran

Health > Births and maternity > Future births 915.47

Ranked 29th. 5,124.49

Ranked 4th. 6 times more than Iran



Energy > Oil > Consumption > Per capita 24.28 bbl/day per 1,000 peopl

Ranked 44th. 68.67 bbl/day per 1,000 peopl

Ranked 7th. 3 times more than Iran



People > Population in 2015 79,917 thousand

Ranked 18th. 325,723 thousand

Ranked 3rd. 4 times more than Iran

Geography > Terrain rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii



Transport > Road > Motorway length 751 km

Ranked 47th. 75,008 km

Ranked 1st. 100 times more than Iran

Military > Paramilitary personnel 1.51 million

Ranked 1st. 137 times more than United States 11,035

Ranked 1st.

Military > Service age and obligation 19 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); conscript military service obligation - 18 months; women exempt from military service 18 years of age (17 years of age with parental consent) for male and female voluntary service; maximum enlistment age 42 (Army), 27 (Air Force), 34 (Navy), 28 (Marines); service obligation 8 years, including 2-5 years active duty (Army), 2 years active (Navy), 4 years active (Air Force, Marines)



Geography > Location Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico



Education > Government spending on education > Proportion of GDP 3.71%

Ranked 8th. 5.62%

Ranked 39th. 51% more than Iran



Labor > Labor force > By occupation agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% farming, forestry, and fishing 0.7%, manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts 22.9%, managerial, professional, and technical 34.9%, sales and office 25%, other services 16.5%; <i>note:</i> figures exclude the unemployed



Economy > Human Development Index 0.736

Ranked 98th. 0.944

Ranked 10th. 28% more than Iran

Labor > Unemployment rate 14.6%

Ranked 9th. 51% more than United States 9.7%

Ranked 31st.



People > Death rate, crude > Per 1,000 people 5.25

Ranked 168th. 8.07

Ranked 88th. 54% more than Iran



Environment > Pollution perceptions > Air pollution 89.51

Ranked 1st. 4 times more than United States 25.04

Ranked 52nd.

Media > Households with television 76.58%

Ranked 75th. 97.84%

Ranked 14th. 28% more than Iran



Health > Birth rate > Crude > Per 1,000 people 14.53 per 1,000 people

Ranked 126th. 4% more than United States 14 per 1,000 people

Ranked 131st.



Conflict > Terrorism > Global Terrorism Index 5.63

Ranked 17th. 58% more than United States 3.57

Ranked 40th.

Military > WMD > Nuclear By early June 2005, the EU-3 (France, Great Britain, and Germany) had not yet submitted their proposal to Iran outlining future nuclear negotiations. The EU-3 requested a delay in negotiations, but Tehran rejected the delay and publicly announced it would resume peaceful nuclear research activities. At issue was Iran's insistance that right to peaceful nuclear research be included in any proposal, a position the United States adamantly opposed. Attempts were made to persuade Iran to give up its fuel cycle ambitions and accept nuclear fuel from abroad, but Tehran made it clear that any proposal that did not guarantee Iran's access to peaceful nuclear technology would lead to the cessation of all nuclear related negotiations with the EU-3. In addition, members of the Iranian Majlis, scientists, scholars, and students were protesting and holding rallies to encourage the government to lift the suspension on uranium enrichment and to not succumb to foreign (U.S.) pressure. One week later, Iran once again agreed to temporarily freeze its nuclear program until the end of July when the European Union agreed it would submit a proposal for the next roud of talks. In June, IAEA Deputy Director Pierre Goldschmidt stated that Iran admitted to providing incorrect information about past experiments involving plutonium. Tehran claimed all such research ceased in 1993, but results from recent tests show experiments took place as late as 1995 and 1998. In early July, Iran asked the IAEA if it could break UN seals and test nuclear-related equipment, stating the testing would not violate Tehran's voluntary suspension of nuclear activities. At the end of July, an official letter was submitted to the IAEA stating that the seals at the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) would be removed. The IAEA requested that it be given 10 days to install the necessary surveillance equipment. On 1 August, Iran reminded the EU-3 that 3 August would be the last opportunity for a proposal to be submitted to continue negotiations. A few days later, the European Union submitted the Framework for a Long-term Agreement proposal to Iran. The proposal specifically called on Iran to exclude fuel-cycle related activity. Tehran immediately rejected the proposal as a negation of its inalienable rights. On 8 August, nuclear activities resumed at the Isfahan UCF and two days later, IAEA seals were removed from the remaining parts of the process lines with IAEA inspectors present. In the days leading up to Iran's resumption of nuclear activities, several countries called on Iran to cooperate with the IAEA and to re-establish full suspension of all enrichment related activities. Additionally, some European countries and the United States threatened to refer Iran to the UN Security Council. Once again, Iran rejected any proposal related to the suspension of conversion activities, but stated they were ready to continue negotiations. Tehran did not believe there was any legal basis for referral to the UN Security council and believed it was only a political move. Iran also threatened to stop all negotiations, prevent any further inspections at all its nuclear facilities, suspend the implementation of the Additional Protocol, and withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), if it was referred to the UN Security Council. In August 2005, the IAEA announced that most of the highly enriched uranium (HEU) particle contamination found at various locations in Iran were found to be of foreign origin. The IAEA concluded much of the HEU found on centrifuge parts were from imported Pakistani equipment, rather than from any enrichment activities conducted by Iran. In late August, Iran began announcing it would be resuming nuclear activities in Natanz and that Tehran would be willing to negotiate as long as there were no conditions. In August, Iran refused to comply with a resolution from the IAEA to halt its nuclear program, stating that making nuclear fuel was its right as a member of the NPT. The European Union believed that although Iran did have a right to nuclear energy under Article 4 of the NPT, it had lost that right because it violated Article 2 of the NPT - "not to seek or receive any assistance in the manufacture of nuclear related weapons or other nuclear explosive devices." On 24 September 2005, the IAEA found Iran in non-compliance of the NPT. The resolution passed with 21 votes of approval, 12 abstentions, and one opposing vote. Russia and China were among those that abstained from voting and Venezuela was the only country to vote against the resolution. The resolution stated Iran's non-compliance due to "many failures and breaches" over nuclear safeguards of the NPT were grounds for referral to the UN Security Council. As one of the five recognized nuclear weapons states under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the United States maintains a sizeable arsenal of nuclear weapons, including approximately 10,350 intact warheads, 5300 of which are considered active or operational. Approximately 4,530 strategic warheads are operational, 1,150 of which are deployed on land-based missile systems (Minuteman and Peacekeeper ICBMs), 1,050 on bombers (B-52 and B-2), and 2,016 on submarines (Ohio-class subs). 780 are tactical nuclear weapons (TNWs), and consist of an estimated 200 Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles (TLAM/N), and 580 B61 bombs. The remaining warheads are stockpiled. The only remaining U.S. weapons in forward deployment, aside from those on SSBNs, are approximately 480 of the 580 operational B61 bombs, located at eight bases in six European NATO countries. According to the May 2002 Treaty of Moscow (the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty, or SORT) between the United States and the Russian Federation, both countries are required to reduce their strategic nuclear arsenals to 1,700-2,200 operationally deployed warheads by 2012. In June 2004, the US Department of Energy announced that "almost half" of these warheads would be retired for dismantlement by 2012. This statement suggests that the total stockpile of 10,350 warheards would be reduced to about 6,000 by this date. Over 5,000 warheads have been removed from deployment by the United States and placed in a "responsive reserve force" (active but not deployed or in overhaul). These "spares," or warheads on inactive status, have not been dismantled, in keeping with past practice under previous U.S. arms control agreements. The Bush administration has rejected U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, but calls for a continued moratorium on nuclear testing. The NPR calls for a reduction in the amount of time needed (now 18 months as mandated by Congress, but this could be reduced to as little as 12 months) to test a nuclear weapon, suggesting that the United States might decide to resume nuclear testing, although Bush administration officials deny that this is currently planned and explain the shortening of test-site readiness time as a logical extension of the U.S. decision to maintain a testing option. The NPR also calls for discussion on possible development of new, low-yield, bunker-busting TNW. A law barring research and development that could lead to the production by the United States of a new low-yield "bunker buster" nuclear weapon (warheads with a yield of 5 kilotons or less) was passed by Congress in 1994. In its FY2004 budget request, however, the Department of Defense requested a repeal of the 1994 law, suggesting that the U.S. government intends to proceed with development of new nuclear weapons. The repeal was approved by the Senate on 20 May 2003. The Bush administration has requested an additional $8.5 million in its 2006 budget in order to continue research of nuclear "bunker busters" under the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator (RNEP) Project. Congress rejected RNEP funding and resources for the Advanced Concepts Initiative, one that would develop mini-nukes or exotic designs, completely for FY2005. Weapons laboratories under the Department of Energy began research on the RNEP Project in 2003, and the study is expected to be complete in 2006. The United States used nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, making it the only country that has ever used nuclear weapons during a conflict. It ratified the NPT in March 1970.

Culture > Happy Planet Index 42.1

Ranked 81st. 37% more than United States 30.7

Ranked 114th.



Government > Executive branch > Head of government President Hasan Fereidun RUHANI (since 3 August 2013); First Vice President Mohammad Reza RAHIMI (since 13 September 2009) President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)



Geography > Coastline 2,440 km

Ranked 52nd. 19,924 km

Ranked 9th. 8 times more than Iran



Labor > Labor force 25.7 million

Ranked 21st. 154.9 million

Ranked 4th. 6 times more than Iran



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; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; limited natural fresh water resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; desertification



Energy > Oil > Consumption 1.81 million bbl/day

Ranked 12th. 18.69 million bbl/day

Ranked 1st. 10 times more than Iran



Health > Life expectancy at birth, female > Years 75.43

Ranked 104th. 81.1

Ranked 43th. 8% more than Iran



Military > Army > Attack helicopters 100

Ranked 1st. 6,417

Ranked 1st. 64 times more than Iran

Health > Life expectancy > Men 72 years

Ranked 52nd. 76 years

Ranked 30th. 6% more than Iran

Military > Navy > Submarines 28

Ranked 1st. 14 times more than United States 2

Ranked 8th.

Media > Television > List of TV stations <p>IRIB - state-run, operates provincial, national and international services</p> </p>Press TV - IRIB's English-language satellite channel</p> </p>Al-Alam - IRIB network in Arabic</p> <p>ABC - major commercial network</p> </p>CBS - major commercial network</p> </p>NBC - major commercial network</p> <br> <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16757497">Full Article</a>

Energy > Oil > Production > Per capita 61.67 bbl/day per 1,000 peopl

Ranked 23th. 2 times more than United States 28.08 bbl/day per 1,000 peopl

Ranked 29th.



Military > WMD > Missile Iran possesses one of the largest missile inventories in the Middle East and has acquired complete missile systems and developed an infrastructure to build missiles indigenously. It has purchased North Korean Scud-Bs, Scud-Cs, and Nodong ballistic missiles. Meanwhile, Iran has also developed short-range artillery rockets and is producing the Scud-B and the Scud-Câ€”called the Shehab-1 and Shehab-2, respectively. Iran recently flight-tested the 1,300 km-range Shehab-3, which is based on the North Korean Nodong. The Shehab-3 is capable of reaching Israel. Following this most recent flight-test, the Shehab-3 was placed in service and revolutionary guard units were officially armed with the missiles. There are conflicting reports about the development of even longer-ranged missiles, such as the Shehab-4 and the Kosar intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). U.S. intelligence agencies assess that barring acquisition of a complete system or major subsystem from North Korea, Iran is unlikely to launch an ICBM or satellite launch vehicle (SLV) before mid-decade. At present, Iran's capabilities in missile production have kept in line with its doctrine of protection from regional threats. Iran has developed new missiles including the Ra'ad and Kosar and continues to test its Nodong based, Shehab-3 missile. On October 20, 2004, Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani confirmed the latest successful test of Iranâ€™s Shehab-3 with a 2,000-kilometer range in front of observers. Iran has openly declared its ability to mass produce the Shehab-3 medium-range missile. Intelligence reports regarding Iran's expansion of capabilities and persistent interest in acquiring new technologies have led the United States to seek other options in dealing with Iran as a regional threat. The United States has the capability to produce highly sophisticated liquid- and solid-fueled missiles of all ranges. It currently deploys 500 Minuteman and 10 MX/Peacekeeper nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at three bases in Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming. The number of warheads on Minuteman missiles was scheduled to be reduced from three to one by 2007 under the defunct START II agreement, but this plan may be revised to assign between 700 to 800 warheads to the 500 Minutemen missiles. Deactivation of the MX/Peacekeeper force began in October 2002 and will conclude in 2005, at the cost of $600 million. In 2004, the Defense Department retired 17 additional MX/Peacekeeper missiles as part of this plan, and the final 10 MX missiles will be withdrawn from alert status by October 1, 2005. These remaining missiles will not be destroyed as prescribed under START II, but will be retained as stipulated in the 2001 NPR for potential use as space launch vehicles, target vehicles, or for redeployment. The Minuteman missile force is also undergoing a $6.0 billion modernization program to improve the weapon's accuracy, reliability, and to extend its service life beyond 2020. A new, longer-range ICBM, to be ready in 2018, is being considered by the Pentagon. As of early 2005, the U.S. Navy had 14 operational Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), having reduced its level by one in 2004 to meet NPR specifications. The four oldest subs in the original class of 18 have been converted to carry non-nuclear cruise missiles. The 14 operational SSBNs carry a total of 336 Trident-1 and Trident-II submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), each carrying between six and eight warheads, for an estimated total of 2,016. All SSBNs will be modified to carry the Trident II missiles, and the navy has extended the service life of the Trident-II from 30 to 49 years. The Pentagon is planning to introduce a new SSBN in 2029 when the oldest of the current subs will be retired. Previous predictions indicated that the U.S. Navy would station the 14 SSBNs evenly among the Atlantic and Pacific fleets; however, recent planning shifts have called for an SSBN fleet of 9 to be stationed in the Pacific with only 5 submarines in the Atlantic. Also, in 2004, the Navy initiated the Enhanced Effectiveness (E2) Reentry Body Program that would allow missiles to be targeted within 10-meter accuracy, expanding the list of potential targets to be attacked by W76 warheads. Finally, the Navy plans to resume SLBM flight tests in 2005 and plans to develop a submarine-launched intermediate-range ballistic missile (SLIRBM) that would carry nuclear and conventional payloads. The U.S. bomber force consists of 94 B-52 bombers stationed at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana and Minot AFB in North Dakota, and 21 B-2 bombers stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. The B-52 can deliver air-launched cruise missiles (ALCM), advanced cruise missiles (ACM), or gravity bombs. The B-2 carries only gravity bombs. It is estimated that 450 ALCMs are deployed as well as around 400 operational ACMs, which have a longer range, greater accuracy, and more difficult to intercept than an ALCM. The B-2s are scheduled to undergo upgrades allowing them to make mission and target changes in route. The U.S. Air Force intends to expedite the process of finding a replacement for its current bomber force, considering long- and mid-range options, unmanned aircraft, and new bombers. The United States is a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), whose goal is to control the transfer of nuclear-capable missiles and unmanned delivery systems capable of carrying all types of WMD.

People > Total fertility rate 1.86 children born/woman

Ranked 143th. 2.06 children born/woman

Ranked 116th. 11% more than Iran



Health > Life expectancy at birth, male > Years 71.56

Ranked 79th. 76.3

Ranked 42nd. 7% more than Iran



People > Age distribution > Population aged 65 or over > Percent 30.91%

Ranked 47th. 16% more than United States 26.71%

Ranked 104th.



Media > Television receivers > Per capita 75.73 per 1,000 people

Ranked 109th. 803.21 per 1,000 people

Ranked 1st. 11 times more than Iran



Government > Executive branch > Chief of state Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989) President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)



Agriculture > Grains > Rice > Consumption 3,100 thousand metric tons

Ranked 14th. 3,882 thousand metric tons

Ranked 12th. 25% more than Iran

Media > Telecoms > Mobile cellular subscriptions > Per 100 people 76.92

Ranked 140th. 98.17

Ranked 111th. 28% more than Iran



Economy > GDP > Purchasing power parity $988.40 billion

Ranked 17th. $16.24 trillion

Ranked 1st. 16 times more than Iran



Labor > Salaries and benefits > Hourly minimum wage $3.50

Ranked 35th. $7.25

Ranked 13th. 2 times more than Iran

Government > Capital city > Name Tehran Washington, DC



Crime > Age of criminal responsibility (notes) Age 9 for girls, 15 for boys url= http://www.national.org.nz/Article.aspx?ArticleID=3882 |title= Saving a generation of young people |first=Don |last=Brash |authorlink= Don Brash |publisher= New Zealand National Party |date = 21 March 2005 |accessdate= 31 October 2012}}</ref>; however, only 15 states have set minimum ages, which range from 6 to 12 years. States without statutory minimum ages rely on common law, which means that 7 is the minimum age in most states; for federal crimes the age has been set at 11.

Government > Capital city > Geographic coordinates 35 40 N, 51 25 E 38 53 N, 77 02 W



Culture > Sexuality > Homosexuality > Legality of homosexual acts Illegal (Penalty: Death) Legal nationwide since 2003. UN decl. sign. See Lawrence v. Texas

Environment > Climate change > CO2 emissions from electricity and heat production, total > Million metric tons 165.21

Ranked 16th. 2,478.03

Ranked 2nd. 15 times more than Iran



Government > International organization participation CICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, SAARC (observer), SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), ANZUS, APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, EAPC, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-20, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNSC (permanent), UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC



People > Age dependency ratio > Dependents to working-age population 0.5

Ranked 125th. 2% more than United States 0.49

Ranked 133th.



Crime > Prisoners 163,526 prisoners

Ranked 10th. 2.02 million prisoners

Ranked 1st. 12 times more than Iran

Media > Internet > Users per 1000 320.29

Ranked 56th. 697.1

Ranked 8th. 2 times more than Iran



Health > Probability of reaching 65 > Male 68.9%

Ranked 62nd. 77.4%

Ranked 32nd. 12% more than Iran

Geography > Area > Water 116,600 sq km

Ranked 5th. 664,709 sq km

Ranked 3rd. 6 times more than Iran



People > Age structure > 0-14 years 23.8%

Ranked 129th. 19% more than United States 20%

Ranked 156th.



Military > Military service age and obligation 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); conscript military service obligation is 18 months; women exempt from military service 18 years of age (17 years of age with parental consent) for male and female voluntary service; no conscription; maximum enlistment age 42 (Army), 27 (Air Force), 34 (Navy), 28 (Marines); service obligation 8 years, including 2-5 years active duty (Army), 2 years active (Navy), 4 years active (Air Force, Marines); DoD is eliminating prohibitions restricting women from assignments in units smaller than brigades or near combat units



Media > Broadcast media - 4 m



Transport > Airports 319

Ranked 22nd. 13,513

Ranked 1st. 42 times more than Iran



Military > Navy > Aircraft carriers 0.0

Ranked 1st. 10

Ranked 1st.

Geography > Area > Comparative to US places slightly larger than Alaska about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; more than twice the size of the European Union

People > Gender > Male population 47.78 million

Ranked 26th. 230.88 million

Ranked 4th. 5 times more than Iran



Energy > Electricity production > KWh 239.71 billion

Ranked 19th. 4.28 trillion

Ranked 1st. 18 times more than Iran



People > Age distribution > Population aged 60 or over > Total 34.53 million

Ranked 18th. 148.96 million

Ranked 3rd. 4 times more than Iran



Media > News Agencies > List of news agencies <p>Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) - state-run</p> </p>Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) - English-language pages</p> </p>Fars News Agency - affiliated to Revolutionary Guards, English-language pages</p> <br> <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14542234">Full Article</a> <p>Associated Press</p> </p>Bloomberg Business News</p> </p>UPI</p>

Industry > Gross value added by construction 28.98 billion

Ranked 23th. 599.29 billion

Ranked 1st. 21 times more than Iran



Economy > Fiscal year 21 1



Background > Overview <p>Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979, when the monarchy was overthrown and clerics assumed political control under supreme leader Ayatollah Khomeini. </p> <p>The Iranian revolution put an end to the rule of the Shah, who had alienated powerful religious, political and popular forces with a programme of modernization and Westernization coupled with heavy repression of dissent. </p> <p>Persia, as Iran was known before 1935, was one of the greatest empires of the ancient world, and the country has long maintained a distinct cultural identity within the Islamic world by retaining its own language and adhering to the Shia interpretation of Islam. </p><br> <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14541327">Full Article</a> <p>The USA is the world's foremost economic and military power, with global interests and an unmatched global reach. </p> <p>America's gross domestic product accounts for close to a quarter of the world total, and its military budget is reckoned to be almost as much as the rest of the world's defence spending put together.</p> <p>The country is also a major source of entertainment: American TV, Hollywood films, jazz, blues, rock and rap music are primary ingredients in global popular culture. </p><br> <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16761057">Full Article</a>

Crime > Auto theft 134.9

Ranked 8th. 390.2

Ranked 6th. 3 times more than Iran



Economy > GDP > Composition by sector > Industry 38.4%

Ranked 37th. 2 times more than United States 19.1%

Ranked 160th.



Industry > Patent applications > Residents > Per capita 10.71 per 1 million people

Ranked 52nd. 630.02 per 1 million people

Ranked 3rd. 59 times more than Iran



Agriculture > Agriculture, value added > Current US$ $28.88 billion

Ranked 16th. $173.80 billion

Ranked 3rd. 6 times more than Iran



Media > Radio > List of radio stations <p>IRIB - state-run, operates eight national networks, provincial services and an external service</p> <p>NPR (National Public Radio) - non-commercial network of member stations; news, information and cultural programmes</p> </p>Clear Channel - America's largest commercial radio operator, owns more than 1,200 stations</p> </p>CBS Radio - major commercial operator with nearly 180 stations in major markets</p> <br> <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16757497">Full Article</a>

Economy > Imports per capita $916.33

Ranked 132nd. $7,336.40

Ranked 47th. 8 times more than Iran



Transport > Waterways 850 km

Ranked 22nd. 41,009 km

Ranked 2nd. 48 times more than Iran



Military > Armed forces personnel 513,000

Ranked 8th. 1.37 million

Ranked 3rd. 3 times more than Iran

Education > Literacy > Female 73%

Ranked 108th. 99%

Ranked 17th. 36% more than Iran



Labor > Labor force, total 26.13 million

Ranked 23th. 158.69 million

Ranked 4th. 6 times more than Iran



Health > Infant mortality rate > Total 42.26 deaths/1,000 live births

Ranked 58th. 7 times more than United States 6.06 deaths/1,000 live births

Ranked 171st.



Transport > Commute > Distance 1.25 km

Ranked 5th. 8.79 km

Ranked 8th. 7 times more than Iran

Geography > Elevation extremes > Highest point Kuh-e Damavand 5,671 m Mount McKinley (Denali) 6,194 m (highest point in North America)



Agriculture > Agricultural growth per capita 115 Int. $

Ranked 36th. 15% more than United States 100 Int. $

Ranked 93th.



Transport > Road > Expressway length 1,429 km

Ranked 25th. 76,334 km

Ranked 2nd. 53 times more than Iran

Military > Military expenditures 2.5% of GDP

Ranked 11th. 4.6% of GDP

Ranked 1st. 84% more than Iran

Agriculture > Products wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, sugar cane, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; fish; forest products

Cost of living > Consumer price index > Plus rent 35.17

Ranked 81st. 57.93

Ranked 32nd. 65% more than Iran

Media > Internet > Internet users > Per 100 people 26

Ranked 124th. 81.03

Ranked 26th. 3 times more than Iran



Environment > Pollution perceptions > Water pollution 58.85

Ranked 27th. 28% more than United States 45.87

Ranked 38th.

Economy > Development > Human Development Index 0.742

Ranked 76th. 0.937

Ranked 3rd. 26% more than Iran



Economy > Population below poverty line > Per capita 0.275% per 1 million people

Ranked 20th. 7 times more than United States 0.041% per 1 million people

Ranked 44th.



People > Age distribution > Population aged 0-4 > Percent 4.84%

Ranked 137th. 5.53%

Ranked 57th. 14% more than Iran



People > Physicians density 0.89 physicians/1,000 population

Ranked 3rd. 2.42 physicians/1,000 population

Ranked 17th. 3 times more than Iran



Agriculture > Arable land > Hectares per 1000 229.5 hectares

Ranked 32nd. 590.32 hectares

Ranked 5th. 3 times more than Iran



Military > Military branches Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (IRIAF), Khatemolanbia Air Defense Headquarters; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, IRGC): Ground Resistance Forces, Navy, Aerospace Force, Quds Force (special operations); Law Enforcement Forces United States Armed Forces: US Army, US Navy (includes Marine Corps), US Air Force, US Coast Guard

People > Age distribution > Population aged 65 or over > Total 29.16 million

Ranked 17th. 123.43 million

Ranked 3rd. 4 times more than Iran



Economy > Exports > Commodities petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets agricultural products (soybeans, fruit, corn) 9.2%, industrial supplies (organic chemicals) 26.8%, capital goods (transistors, aircraft, motor vehicle parts, computers, telecommunications equipment) 49.0%, consumer goods (automobiles, medicines) 15.0%

Energy > Electricity > Consumption per capita 2,810.6 kWh

Ranked 17th. 12,736.19 kWh

Ranked 3rd. 5 times more than Iran



Energy > Gasoline > Pump price for gasoline > US$ per liter $0.33

Ranked 157th. $0.97

Ranked 137th. 3 times more than Iran



Agriculture > Produce > Crop > Production index 120.6%

Ranked 28th. 8% more than United States 111.3%

Ranked 59th.



People > Age distribution > Population aged 15-59 > Total 45.87 million

Ranked 28th. 235.92 million

Ranked 4th. 5 times more than Iran



Industry > Gross value added by manufacturing 56.74 billion

Ranked 27th. 1.99 trillion

Ranked 1st. 35 times more than Iran



Crime > Prisoners > Per capita 226 per 100,000 people

Ranked 33th. 715 per 100,000 people

Ranked 1st. 3 times more than Iran

Religion > Seventh-day Adventist Membership 20

Ranked 200th. 948,892

Ranked 2nd. 47445 times more than Iran

Energy > Electricity > Production 220.3 billion kWh

Ranked 17th. 4.1 trillion kWh

Ranked 2nd. 19 times more than Iran



Government > Country name > Conventional long form Islamic Republic of Iran United States of America

Media > Personal computers per 1000 105.95

Ranked 60th. 764.36

Ranked 3rd. 7 times more than Iran



People > Age distribution > Population aged 80 or over > Total 13.53 million

Ranked 12th. 51.64 million

Ranked 3rd. 4 times more than Iran



People > Cities > Urban population 78,821

Ranked 72nd. 84,460

Ranked 54th. 7% more than Iran



Geography > Land use > Arable land 10.05%

Ranked 105th. 16.29%

Ranked 65th. 62% more than Iran



Industry > CO2 emissions from manufacturing industries and construction > Million metric tons 104.26

Ranked 10th. 597.86

Ranked 2nd. 6 times more than Iran



Religion > Secularism and atheism > Population considering religion unimportant 15.5%

Ranked 70th. 34.5%

Ranked 42nd. 2 times more than Iran

Culture > World Heritage Sites 16

Ranked 9th. Twice as much as United States 8

Ranked 24th.

Geography > Land boundaries > 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 Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Mexico 3,141 km



Economy > Imports $70.03 billion

Ranked 41st. $2.30 trillion

Ranked 1st. 33 times more than Iran



People > Nationality > Adjective Iranian American

Agriculture > Produce > Food > Production index 115.4%

Ranked 34th. 7% more than United States 107.5%

Ranked 80th.



Media > Radio broadcast stations AM 72, FM 5, shortwave 5 AM 4,789, FM 8,961, shortwave 19



People > Sex ratio > Total population 1.03 male(s)/female

Ranked 32nd. 6% more than United States 0.97 male(s)/female

Ranked 143th.



People > Age distribution > Population aged 5-14 > Percent 9.91%

Ranked 143th. 11.17%

Ranked 64th. 13% more than Iran



Environment > Pollution perceptions > Air quality 10.49

Ranked 59th. 74.96

Ranked 8th. 7 times more than Iran

Health > Fertility rate > Total > Births per woman 2.07 births per woman

Ranked 113th. 1% more than United States 2.05 births per woman

Ranked 117th.



Sports > Chess > GrandMasters 2

Ranked 55th. 60

Ranked 3rd. 30 times more than Iran

Government > Executive branch > Elections supreme leader appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term and additional nonconsecutive term); election last held on 14 June 2013 (next presidential election to be held in June 2017) president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 6 November 2012 (next to be held on 8 November 2016)



Military > Expenditures > Percent of GDP 2.5%

Ranked 39th. 4.06%

Ranked 22nd. 62% more than Iran

Economy > Budget > Expenditures $92.63 billion

Ranked 35th. $3.54 trillion

Ranked 1st. 38 times more than Iran



People > Sex ratio > At birth 1.05 male(s)/female

Ranked 87th. The same as United States 1.05 male(s)/female

Ranked 94th.



Environment > Adjusted net national income > Constant 2000 US$ $136.71 billion

Ranked 16th. $11.13 trillion

Ranked 2nd. 81 times more than Iran

Health > HIV AIDS > People living with HIV AIDS > Per capita 0.48 per 1,000 people

Ranked 106th. 3.27 per 1,000 people

Ranked 54th. 7 times more than Iran



Energy > Crude oil > Production 3.59 million bbl/day

Ranked 6th. 11.11 million bbl/day

Ranked 2nd. 3 times more than Iran



Background > National tree Cedrus Oak

Economy > GINI index 43

Ranked 19th. 5% more than United States 40.81

Ranked 16th.

Economy > Reserves of foreign exchange and gold per capita $963.66

Ranked 57th. 4 times more than United States $234.27

Ranked 105th.



Economy > Debt > Net foreign assets > Current LCU 645.93 trillion

Ranked 2nd. -125,482,689,271

Ranked 162nd.



People > Marriage, divorce and children > Marriages 874,792

Ranked 5th. 2.12 million

Ranked 2nd. 2 times more than Iran



Economy > Budget > Revenues > Per capita $978.63 per capita

Ranked 80th. $8,527.60 per capita

Ranked 29th. 9 times more than Iran



Transport > Rail > Railway length 11,106 km

Ranked 22nd. 224,792 km

Ranked 1st. 20 times more than Iran

Environment > Transport CO2 emission index 8,544.4

Ranked 1st. 22% more than United States 7,004.01

Ranked 8th.

Industry > Industry, value added > Current US$ $125.70 billion

Ranked 23th. $2.81 trillion

Ranked 2nd. 22 times more than Iran



People > Age distribution > Population aged 80 or over > Percent 14.35%

Ranked 39th. 28% more than United States 11.18%

Ranked 93th.



Education > Child care (preschool) > Duration 1

Ranked 194th. 3

Ranked 47th. 3 times more than Iran



Media > Fixed line and mobile phone subscribers > Per 1,000 people 384 per 1,000 people

Ranked 88th. 1,227.11 per 1,000 people

Ranked 36th. 3 times more than Iran



Energy > Electricity > Consumption by households per capita 630 kWh

Ranked 68th. 4,599.49 kWh

Ranked 7th. 7 times more than Iran



Government > National symbol(s) lion bald eagle

Industry > Gross value added by construction per capita 379.26

Ranked 111th. 1,909.08

Ranked 29th. 5 times more than Iran



Geography > Irrigated land 87,000 sq km

Ranked 1st. 230,000 sq km

Ranked 3rd. 3 times more than Iran



Transport > Gross value added by transport, storage and communication 52.99 billion

Ranked 17th. 929.19 billion

Ranked 1st. 18 times more than Iran



Labor > GNI > Current US$ $328.59 billion

Ranked 27th. $16.51 trillion

Ranked 2nd. 50 times more than Iran



Media > Internet > Users > Per capita 351.69 per 1,000 people

Ranked 56th. 695.68 per 1,000 people

Ranked 9th. 98% more than Iran



Education > Secondary education > Teachers > Per capita 6 per 1,000 people

Ranked 23th. 9% more than United States 5.5 per 1,000 people

Ranked 65th.



Energy > Electricity production from renewable sources > KWh 12.28 billion

Ranked 45th. 518.77 billion

Ranked 1st. 42 times more than Iran



Religion > Islam > Percentage Muslim 99%

Ranked 10th. 71 times more than United States 1.4%

Ranked 114th.

Health > Births and maternity > Infant mortality rate 15.1

Ranked 101st. 3 times more than United States 6

Ranked 151st.



Industry > Car > Production 1.37 million

Ranked 11th. 2.73 million

Ranked 7th. Twice as much as Iran



Health > Life expectancy > Women 75 years

Ranked 67th. 81 years

Ranked 33th. 8% more than Iran

Geography > Natural hazards periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes tsunamis; volcanoes; earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to development



Economy > Exports > Main exports Petroleum, carpets, agricultural products Computers and electrical machinery, vehicles, chemical products, food and live animals, military equipment and aircraft

Industry > Manufacturing > Value added > Constant 2000 US$ 21.22 billion constant 2000 US$

Ranked 16th. 1.61 trillion constant 2000 US$

Ranked 1st. 76 times more than Iran



Government > Flag description three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) 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; green is the color of Islam and also represents growth, white symbolizes honesty and peace, red stands for bravery and martyrdom 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; the blue stands for loyalty, devotion, truth, justice, and friendship; red symbolizes courage, zeal, and fervency, while white denotes purity and rectitude of conduct; commonly referred to by its nickname of Old Glory



Economy > Budget > Revenues per capita $1,419.51

Ranked 76th. $6,763.09

Ranked 33th. 5 times more than Iran



Geography > Rural population density > Rural population per sq. km of arable land 140.32 people/kmÂ² of arable lan

Ranked 45th. 4 times more than United States 32.62 people/kmÂ² of arable lan

Ranked 70th.



Geography > Maritime claims > Territorial sea 12 nautical mile

Ranked 46th. The same as United States 12 nautical mile

Ranked 61st.



Labor > Expense > Current LCU 806.6 trillion

Ranked 2nd. 206 times more than United States 3.92 trillion

Ranked 18th.



Environment > Pollution perceptions > Clean water 41.15

Ranked 33th. 54.13

Ranked 22nd. 32% more than Iran

Economy > Debt > External $14.84 billion

Ranked 84th. $15.93 trillion

Ranked 1st. 1073 times more than Iran



Crime > Perceived problems > Illegal drugs 58.33

Ranked 23th. 61.82

Ranked 19th. 6% more than Iran

Media > Televisions 4.61 million

Ranked 33th. 219 million

Ranked 2nd. 48 times more than Iran

Education > Secondary education, pupils 7.12 million

Ranked 2nd. 24.21 million

Ranked 4th. 3 times more than Iran



Agriculture > Agricultural machinery > Tractors > Per capita 3.89 per 1,000 people

Ranked 56th. 16.37 per 1,000 people

Ranked 21st. 4 times more than Iran



Media > Telephones > Main lines in use > Per capita 364.46 per 1,000 people

Ranked 32nd. 541.94 per 1,000 people

Ranked 9th. 49% more than Iran



Agriculture > Grains > Wheat > Consumption 13,200 thousand metric tons

Ranked 7th. 33,203 thousand metric tons

Ranked 4th. 3 times more than Iran

Education > College and university > Private school share 44.71%

Ranked 13th. 60% more than United States 27.95%

Ranked 46th.



Education > Girls to boys ratio > Primary level enrolment 1.22

Ranked 1st. 23% more than United States 0.99

Ranked 49th.



Education > School life expectancy > Total 11.3 years

Ranked 58th. 15.2 years

Ranked 14th. 35% more than Iran

Language > Linguistic diversity index 0.797

Ranked 30th. 2 times more than United States 0.353

Ranked 114th.

Economy > Debt > External > Per capita $316.22 per capita

Ranked 102nd. $40,678.76 per capita

Ranked 12th. 129 times more than Iran



Crime > Perceived problems > Problem corruption and bribery 71.72

Ranked 47th. 69% more than United States 42.45

Ranked 69th.

Economy > GDP > Composition by sector > Services 50.6%

Ranked 126th. 79.7%

Ranked 15th. 58% more than Iran



Energy > Electricity > Production > Per capita 2,746.1 kWh per capita

Ranked 41st. 13,527.54 kWh per capita

Ranked 3rd. 5 times more than Iran



Transport > Road > Motorway density 30.3 m of motorway per square km

Ranked 71st. 4 times more than United States 7.79 m of motorway per square km

Ranked 18th.