A Nation of Many Peoples
With a population of over 85 million — roughly three-quarters of whom live in cities — Iran is one of the region’s most populous countries. Tehran, the capital, is home to around 10 million residents, with Mashhad and Isfahan among other major urban centers. While Persians make up the majority, significant minorities including Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Arabs, Lurs, Baloch and Turkmen contribute to a richly diverse social fabric. Persian serves as the official language, but Azeri, Kurdish, Arabic, Gilaki, Luri and Balochi are all widely spoken across the country.
Shiite Islam at Its Core
