Where is Iran?


Written and Fact-checked by , Reviewed by | Updated On: May 15, 2026

Iran is a country located in Western Asia with a large population. It shares borders with Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Turkey.

Location Map of Iran

Where is Iran

About Map: The map shows where Iran is located on the world map. Iran is in Western Asia, bordered by the Caspian Sea to the north, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to the south, and surrounded by several neighbouring countries including Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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Where is Iran Located?

As Iran location map shows that Iran is located in western Asia. Country’s name Iran is quite old and has been in use since the Sassanian era natively. However, the country was known to world by the name of Persia until 1935; but from the year 1935 the name Iran has internationally recognized. This is the reason that even in this modern era both names are used interchangeably.

Geographically, Iran is part of the Middle East and occupies a strategic position in Western Asia. As shown on the map, it shares borders with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan to the north; Afghanistan and Pakistan to the east; Turkey to the northwest; and Iraq to the west. The country is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the north and the Persian Gulf to the southwest, giving it an important coastline. Due to its varied terrain, Iran’s climate ranges from arid and semi-arid to subtropical in some regions.

Iran is a founding member of many international organizations including the UN, OPEC, NAM, and OIC. Iran is always remains in news because of regional power that she holds and hence it has an important position in international energy security and world. Above all, it has huge reserves of petroleum and natural gas.

The government type of Iran is Islamic Republic and it is based upon the 1979 constitution it consists of several intricately inter-related governing bodies. However, the highest state authority is the Supreme Leader. Country’s official religion is Shia Islam and Persian is the official language.

Provinces of Iran

ProvinceCapitalPopulationAreaLatitude and Longitude
TehranTehran14 million+18,909 sq km (7,301 sq mi)35.6892° N, 51.3890° E
IsfahanIsfahan5.4 million+107,029 sq km (41,324 sq mi)32.6546° N, 51.6680° E
FarsShiraz5 million+122,400 sq km (47,259 sq mi)29.5918° N, 52.5837° E
Khorasan RazaviMashhad6.8 million+118,884 sq km (45,901 sq mi)36.2605° N, 59.6168° E
East AzerbaijanTabriz4 million+45,491 sq km (17,564 sq mi)38.0962° N, 46.2738° E
KhuzestanAhvaz4.8 million+64,055 sq km (24,732 sq mi)31.3183° N, 48.6706° E
MazandaranSari3.5 million+23,842 sq km (9,206 sq mi)36.5633° N, 53.0601° E
GilanRasht2.5 million+14,044 sq km (5,422 sq mi)37.2808° N, 49.5832° E
KermanKerman3.3 million+183,285 sq km (70,767 sq mi)30.2839° N, 57.0834° E
West AzerbaijanUrmia3.4 million+37,437 sq km (14,454 sq mi)37.5527° N, 45.0761° E

10 Largest Cities in Iran

CityProvincePopulationLatitude and Longitude
TehranTehran9 million+35.6892° N, 51.3890° E
MashhadKhorasan Razavi3.5 million+36.2605° N, 59.6168° E
IsfahanIsfahan2.2 million+32.6546° N, 51.6680° E
KarajAlborz2 million+35.8400° N, 50.9391° E
ShirazFars1.9 million+29.5918° N, 52.5837° E
TabrizEast Azerbaijan1.7 million+38.0962° N, 46.2738° E
QomQom1.4 million+34.6416° N, 50.8746° E
AhvazKhuzestan1.3 million+31.3183° N, 48.6706° E
KermanshahKermanshah1 million+34.3142° N, 47.0650° E
UrmiaWest Azerbaijan800,000+37.5527° N, 45.0761° E

Top Tourist Attractions and Famous Places to Visit in Iran

  • Persepolis - Fars Province
  • Naqsh-e Jahan Square - Isfahan
  • Golestan Palace - Tehran
  • Imam Reza Shrine - Mashhad
  • Mount Damavand - Mazandaran
  • Nasir al-Mulk Mosque - Shiraz
  • Azadi Tower - Tehran
  • Lut Desert - Kerman Province
  • Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex - Tabriz
  • Ali Qapu Palace - Isfahan
  • Badab-e Surt Springs - Mazandaran
  • Kish Island - Hormozgan Province
  • Pasargadae - Fars Province
  • Rudkhan Castle - Gilan
  • Hafez Tomb - Shiraz
  • Lake Urmia - West Azerbaijan

Iran Facts

ContinentAsia
CountryIran
Official NameIslamic Republic of Iran
CapitalTehran
Largest CityTehran
Coordinates32.4279° N, 53.6880° E
Administrative Divisions31 Provinces
Official LanguagesPersian (Farsi)
DemonymIranian
GovernmentIslamic Republic
IndependenceEstablished as Islamic Republic in 1979
Total Area1,648,195 sq km (636,372 sq mi)
Population92 million+ (2025 est.)
Population Density56 people per sq km
CurrencyIranian Rial (IRR)
GDP NominalApprox. USD 300 billion
EconomyUpper-Middle Income Mixed Economy
Postal Code Format##########
Country Calling Code+98
Time ZoneIRST (UTC+3:30)
Internet TLD.ir
ISO Country CodeIR
Driving SideRight
Major CitiesTehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz
Major AirportsImam Khomeini International Airport, Mehrabad Airport, Mashhad International Airport
Highest PointMount Damavand (5,610 m)
Longest RiverKarun River
ClimateArid, Semi-Arid, and Continental Climate
Average Summer Temperature25°C to 40°C
Average Winter Temperature-5°C to 15°C
Famous ForPersian Culture, Historic Architecture, Carpets, Poetry, Oil and Gas
National AnimalPersian Leopard
National SportWrestling
National DishChelo Kebab
Official Websiteirangov.ir

Major Rivers in Iran

  • Karun River
  • Karkheh River
  • Zayandeh River
  • Sefid-Rud River
  • Aras River
  • Dez River
  • Atrek River
  • Harirud River

Iran Climate Facts

Climate TypeArid, Semi-Arid, Mediterranean, and Continental
Summer Temperature25°C to 40°C
Winter Temperature-5°C to 15°C
Average Rainfall50 mm to 2,000 mm annually depending on region

Neighboring Countries of Iran

  • Iraq - West
  • Turkey - Northwest
  • Armenia - Northwest
  • Azerbaijan - Northwest
  • Turkmenistan - Northeast
  • Afghanistan - East
  • Pakistan - Southeast

References