|
GEOGRAPHIC
AND DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
LOCATION
& AREA
The
Islamic Republic of Iran covers 1,648,000 sq. Kms. (636,300 square
miles) in Southwestern Asia. It is bounded on the north by Turkmenistan,
Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Caspian Sea, on the West by Iraq and
Turkey, on the south by the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman and
on the east by Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Iran
has a seacoast of 657 kms. along the Caspian Sea on the north and
2,043 Kms. On the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman on the south.
Iran also shares 1,609 kms. of common border with Iraq, 186 kms.
With Turkey, 767 kms. With Azerbaijan, 40 kms. With
Armenia, 965 kms. With Afghanistan, 978 kms. With Pakistan and 1,206
kms. With Turkmenistan.
CLIMATE
The
massive Alborz mountain range along the southern shore of the Caspian
Sea and the Zagros range stretches from the border with Armenia
in the northwest to the Persian Gulf and prevents the Caspian and
Mediterranean climate from penetrating the great central plateau
of Iran. The central parts of the country remain dry for months.
However, due to Iran's vast area, its climate ranges from subtropical
to subpolar, allowing people to experience great extremes in climate.
Altitude,
maritime influences, seasonal winds, proximity to mountain ranges
or desert, play a significant role in the fluctuation of temperature,
which varies from a high of 48.8 C in Ahvaz,
Khuzestan Province at the head of the Persian Gulf to a low of 24.2
C in Ardebil in the province of the same in northwestern Iran.
Precipitation
also varies widely, from less than 21 mm in Yazd (central Iran)
to 1,685 mm in the Caspian region. Summer (months of Tir, Mordad
and Shahrivar) is dry season; late autumn and early winter (months
of Azar, Dey and Bahman) are the cold and rainy seasons of the year.
Since
about 90% of Iranian land is situated on a plateau and over half
of the country is covered by mountains, Iran is considered a mountainous
country.
These
mountains have been divided into four range called the northern,
western, central and eastern mountain ranges.
The
famous, permanently snowcapped Mount Damavand, with an elevation
of 5671 meter, is the highest point in Iran. Other notable
peaks are Mount Sabalan near Ardebit, with an elevation of 4811
meters, and Takht-e Solyman in Kalar Dasht, with an elevation of
1643 meters.
RIVERS
The
rivers of Iran, with the exception of the navigable Karun in the
south, are mostly of modest size.
They
are generally, divided into three main basins: the rivers flowing
to the Caspian Sea in the north: those flowing to the Sea of Oman
and the Persian Gulf in the south: and the internationals. The latter
basin consists of the Qom Lake, the Urumyich Lake and the marshes
of the interior of the country.
SEAS
AND LAKES
With
an area 424,200 sq. km., the Caspian Sea, bordering the north of
the country, is the largest lake in the world. The northern sector
of this great lake, commonly called "Sea" due to its vastness, lies
in the four Republics of Azerbaijan, Russia. Kazakhistan and Turkmenistan,
and its southern portion, which is deeper and has a greater concentration
of fish, lies within the Islamic Republic of Iran, providing the
best caviar in the world. The sea-links of Iran to European countries
pass through the Caspian Sea and the water ways of the Russia. The
Caspian Sea is around 1260 km in length and its average width is
over 300 kms.
The
Persian Gulf, situated in the south of the country has an area of
approximately 24,000 sq., kms. Its length is about 900 kms
and its width varies between 180 kms and 300 kms. It is linked to
the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean through the strategically and
geopolitically important Straits of Hormuz.
ISLANDS
The
Iranian islands are mostly situated in the Persian Gulf, in the
region of the Straits of Hormuz. Many of these are inhabited and
strategically important.
For
example the Hengam, Qeshm, lesser and greater Tombs and Abu
Musa island are so situated within the straits that a large traffic
of commercial ships and oil tankers passes very close to them.
Other
Iranian Islands in the Persian Gulf also have an importance of their
own.
Thus
Hormuz Island, in addition to its strategic significance, embodies
vast deposits of red soil, and Kharg Island is world famous for
its extensive facilities of oil exportation. Among the best known
remaining Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf, Siri, Lavan, Larak
and Kish are noteworthy.
The
largest Island in the Persian Gulf is Qeshm which has several ports
equipped with passenger and fishing facilities.
TIME
3.5
hours ahead of GMT
POPULATION
TOTAL
POPULATION
66,128,965
(July 2001 est.)
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.)
Population growth rate: 0.72% (2001 est.)
Birth rate: 17.1 births/1,000 population (2001
est.)
Death rate: 5.41 deaths/1,000 population (2001
est.)
Net migration rate: -4.51 migrant(s)/1,000
population (2001 est.)
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.)
Infant mortality rate: 29.04 deaths/1,000
live births (2001 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population:
69.95 years
male:
68.61 years
female:
71.37 years (2001 est.)
Nationality
:
noun : Iranian(s)
adjective : Iranian
Ethnic
groups : Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd
7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%
Religions
: Shi'a Muslim 89%, Sunni Muslim 10%, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian,
and Baha'i 1%
Languages
: Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%,
Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2%
POPULATION;
WORKFORCE
The
Management & Planning Organization estimates that Iran's population
will reach 63.8 and 64.9 million persons by the end of 1379 (March
20, 2001) and 1380 (March 20, 2002) respectively. By the end of
1380, the total number of women will add up to 32.9 million, and
there will correspondingly be 32.4 million men in the country.
The
country's rural population in 1380 (ending March 20, 2002) will
be 23 million and its urban population will reach 41.9 million persons.
The
forecast by the Management & Planning Organization calls for
a population growth rate of respectively 1.66 and 1.6 percent for
1379 (ending March 20, 2001) and 1380 (ending March 20, 2002). Also,
according to the same estimate, the urban population proportion
in 1379 (ending March 20, 2001) and 1380 (ending March 20, 2002)
will respectively be 63.9 and 64.5 percent. The Management &
Planning Organization has moreover estimated that the share of young
people in the entire population during 1379 and 1380 will respectively
be 33.6 and 32.2 percent. The ratio of unemployment in 1379 and
1380 will respectively be 16.2 and 14.9 percent. The number of employed
women in 1379 and 1380 will be 2.196 and 2.399 million respectively.
LITERACY
definition : age 15 and over can read and
write
total population : 71.0%
male :14.3 millions
female : 11.3 millions
| |
main
language(s) |
%
of population |
used
in school |
| 1 |
Farsi |
... |
YES |
| 2 |
Turkish |
... |
NO |
| 3 |
Kordish |
... |
NO |
| 4 |
Arabic |
... |
NO |
Total
number of mother tongue(s): 4
source:
Iranian Center for Statstics
EDUCATION
INSTITUTION
TYPES & CREDENTIALS
Types
of higher education institutions:
University
Specialized University
University of Technology
Medical University
Open University
Teacher Training
Centre
Higher
education credentials:
Diplom-Metevaseth
Pre-University Certificate
Associate degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Doctorate
STRUCTURE
OF EDUCATION SYSTEM
P re-higher
education
:Duration of compulsory
education:
Age of entry:
6
Age of exit: 14
Structure of school
system:
Primary
Type of
school providing this education: Elementary School
Length of program in
years: 5
Age level
from: 6 to:
11
Primary
Type of
school providing this education: Guidance School
Length of program
in years: 3
Age level
from: 11 to:
14
Certificate/diploma
awarded: Certificate of General Education
Secondary
Type of
school providing this education: Secondary School
Length of program
in years: 3
Age level
from: 15 to:
17
Certificate/diploma
awarded: Secondary School Diploma
Pre-university
Type of
school providing this education: Secondary School
Length of program
in years: 1
Age level
from: 17 to:
18
Certificate/diploma
awarded: Pre-University Certificate
Secondary
education:
Secondary education
(Reform system) covers three years and a one-year pre-university
programme. Secondary education offers three branches: theoretical,
technical-vocational and skill-knowledge (kar-Danesh). Each are
divided into different fields. The required total number of credits
leading to the Secondary School Certificate is 96. The courses offered
in the first year are common and after successfully completing the
first year, based on aptitude, interest and the grades obtained
in guidance school, students can continue their studies. The one-year
pre-university programme prepares students to enter university and
higher education institutions. To enter this course, students should
pass the appropriate exam. After successfully passing the one-year
period, they are granted the Pre-University Certificate and can
sit for the National Entrance Exam of universities and higher education
institutions. Qualified students entering the technical-vocational
branch can continue studies leading to the Post-Diploma degree (technician)
or sit for the Pre-University Examination. Those who wish to acquire
skills before completing secondary education can enter the skill-knowledge
branch and obtain first or second class Skill Certificate or sit
for the Pre-University Examination as well.
Higher
education:
Higher education is provided
by comprehensive universities, specialized universities, universities
of technology, medical universities, teacher training centres and
private institutions. Most universities are State institutions.
University activities are coordinated by the Ministry of Culture
and Higher Education and, particularly, the Supreme Council on Higher
Education Planning (SCHEP), and the Ministry of Health and Medicine.
Academic
year:
Classes from: Sep to: Jun
Languages
of instruction: Persian
Stages
of studies:
University level
studies:
University level
first stage: Associate degree, Bachelor's
degree:
The Bachelor's degree
is conferred after a total of four years' study. Courses follow
the credit and semester system. Under the credit system, the non-continual
Bachelor's Degree first requires the award of an Associate degree
(67 to 72 credit units: 2 years' study). The Non-continual Bachelor
degree then requires 65-70 additional credit units (two years' study).
The undergraduate programme leading to the Bachelor's degree (continual)
requires 130-135 credit units. In Technical Engineering, courses
leading to the Bachelor's degree require a maximum of 140 credits.
University level
second stage: Master's Degree:
The postgraduate
qualification of Master's Degree in Arts and Science is generally
conferred after two years' study beyond the Bachelor's Degree. The
number of units required is 28-32 in 2 years (4 semesters) including
the submission of a thesis (4-10 units). A Master of Science in
Architecture is offered in six and a half years (a total of 172-182
units).
University level
third stage: Doctorate:
The Doctorate is
offered at the professional level (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy,
Veterinary Medicine) and at the level of the PhD. Professional Doctorate
degrees are conferred in Medicine (After entrance exam: general
courses: 7 semesters, 121 units; externship
9 months, 95 units; internship, 18 months, 68 units; submission
of a thesis, 6 units. The total number of units for obtaining the
professional Doctorate and practice Medicine is therefore 290. Students
may then embark on a "residency" programme in different fields (3-5
years beyond the Doctotate). In Dentistry, Pharmacy and Veterinay
Medicine, the duration of study for the award of the professional
Doctorate is six years.PhD programmes have a special entrance exam
held by each university individually. They also follow the SCHEP
general approved rules. The applicant should hold a Master's Degree
or Professional Doctorate Degree, pass the entrance exam as well
as an interview and present at least two recommendations from two
former professors. There is no age limitation (except for 33 years
for a scholarship). Course duration for the PhD is four and a half
years and a total of 42-50 units. They have to defend a dissertation
in front of a dissertation Committee.
Teacher
education:
Training of primary/basic school teachers
Primary school and guidance
school teachers (in the general section) are trained in two years
in teacher training centres where they obtain an Associate degree.
In the technical/vocational sections, they are selected from graduates
of technical and vocational schools.
Training of secondary
school teachers
Secondary school
teachers must pass the National Entrance Examination, ask for a
scholarship and follow a four-year course leading to a Bachelor's
degree.
Training of higher
education teachers
Tarbiat Modares
University has been established to train faculty members and researchers
in different scientific fields.
Non-traditional
studies:
Distance higher education
Distance education
is provided by Payam Noor Open University. Students must pass the
National Entrance Examination. Courses last between five and eight
years in such fields as Education, Mathematics, Chemistry and Persian
Literature. A Bachelor's Degree is awarded.
ADMISSIONS
TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Admission
to non university higher education studies
Name of
secondary school credential required: Diplom-Metevaseth
Admission
to university-level studies
Name of
secondary school credential required: Diplom-Metevaseth
Entrance exams required:
National Entrance Examination
Numerus clausus/restrictions:
Some fields of study are completely
segregated. In addition, 60% of places are allocated according to
merit/locality factors.
Foreign
students admission
Admission requirements:
Foreign students must hold
a Secondary School Leaving Certificate with a minimum average of
62.5% for studies leading to a Bachelor's Degree. For postgraduate
studies they must have a minimum of 3 out of 4. Candidates who do
not meet the requirments must take additional classes.
Entry regulations:
Students must have a visa which
can be delivered by the Immigration Office provided admission into
a university has been accepted.
Language requirements:
Courses in Persian (12 months)
are organized for foreign students.
Recognition
of studies & qualifications:
Studies pursued in
home country (System of recognition/accreditation): The Ministry of Culture and
Higher Education, based on criteria approved by the Higher Council
of the Cultural Revolution, issues the patent for establishing any
kind of higher education institution. Each institution which formally
follows the approved regulations of the Supreme Council on Higher
Education Planning is authorized to confer degrees.
Studies pursued in
foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):
Foreign Graduate
Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Higher Education
PO Box 15245/769
Dr Beheshti Avenue
Tehran
Iran
Tel: +98(21) 852-027
Fax: +98(21) 849-785
Services provided
& students dealt with: Evaluates the level of degrees
granted by universities outside Iran.
Other information
sources on recognition of foreign studies: Ministry of Health, Treatment
and Medical Education
Special
provisions for recognition:
For the
exercise of a profession: To practice Medicine, Dentistry,
Pharmacy and Veterinay Medicine one should satisfy his/her commitments
including military service (for men), offering services to deprived
areas in the country. Then he/she can request a licence from the
Ministry concerned.Law graduates can have a notary public office,
provided they pass the exam held annually by the General Organization
of Documents and Estates.
STUDENT
LIFE
Student expenses
and financial aid
Student costs:
Home students
tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Iranian Rial)
Maximum: 450000 (Iranian Rial)
Foreign students
tuition fees: Maximum: 3000000 (Iranian Rial)
GRADING
SYSTEM
Usual grading system
in secondary school
Full Description:
1-20
Highest on scale:
20
Pass/fail level:
10
Lowest on scale:
1
Main grading
system used by higher education institutions
Full Description:
1-20
Highest on scale:
20
Lowest on scale:
1
Other main grading
systems
A-F, N (incomplete)
NATIONAL
BODIES
Administration &
co-ordination:
Responsible authorities:
|
Ministry of Higher
Education and Culture
Minister: Mostafa Moein-Najafabadi
Vezarat Farhang Va
Amouzeshe Ali-Avenue Nejatollahi
Tehran
Iran
Tel: +98(21) 890-197
Fax: +98(21) 882-7253
|
| |
|
National Council
for Scientific and Industrial Research
31 Alvand Street
Tehran
Iran
Tel: +98(21) 680-436
Fax: +98(21) 686-0588
|
| |
|
Institute for Research
and Planning in Higher Education (IRPHE)
1 Golfam Street
Tehran
Iran
Tel: +98(21) 889-0015
Fax: +98(21) 205-0338
|
|
