Por Gohar, and various ethnic and Monarchist organizations; armed political groups that have been almost completely repressed by the government include Mujahidin-e Khalq Organization (MEK), People's Fedayeen, Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, and Komala
International organization participation:
CP, ECO, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory),
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
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; FAX [1] (202) 965–1073
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none; note - protecting power in Iran is Switzerland
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
Economy Iran
Economy - overview:
Iran's economy is marked by a bloated, inefficient state sector,
over reliance on the oil sector, and statist policies that create
major distortions throughout. Most economic activity is controlled
by the state. Private sector activity is typically small-scale -
workshops, farming, and services. President KHATAMI has continued to
follow the market reform plans of former President RAFSANJANI, with
limited progress. Relatively high oil prices in recent years have
enabled Iran to amass some $30 billion in foreign exchange reserves,
but have not eased economic hardships such as high unemployment and
inflation. The proportion of the economy devoted to the development
of weapons of mass destruction remains a contentious issue with
leading Western nations.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$516.7 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.3% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $7,700 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 11.2% industry: 40.9% services: 48.7% (2004 est.)
Labor force: 23 million note: shortage of skilled labor (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:
11.2% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:
40% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
15.5% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):
31.3% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $43.34 billion
expenditures: $47.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.6
billion (2004 est.)
Public debt:
27% of GDP (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy
products, wool; caviar
Industries:
petroleum, petrochemicals, textiles, cement and other construction
materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and
vegetable oil production), metal fabrication, armaments
Industrial production growth rate:
3.5% excluding oil (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:
129 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 97.1% hydro: 2.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:
119.9 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:
3.962 million bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:
1.4 million bbl/day (2002 est.)
Oil - exports:
2.5 million bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - imports:
NA
Oil - proved reserves:
130.8 billion bbl (2004 est.)
Natural gas - production:
