Iran in Perspective: Orientation Guide, Farsi and Baluchi Cultural Orientation: Islamic Revolution, Post-Khomeini, Nucear Weapons Stand-off, Geography, History, Military, Religion, Holy Sites, Qom

This is a professionally-formatted, free flowing ebook reproduction of three unique, up-to-date guides produced by the Department of Defense that provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in Iran, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more. Separate guides cover Iran in Perspective - An Orientation Guide, Farsi Cultural Orientation, and Baluchi Cultural Orientation.

Iran in Perspective: GEOGRAPHY * Introduction * Topography * Mountains * Central Plateau and Deserts * Lowlands * Climate * Bodies of Water * Lakes * Rivers * Major Cities * Tehran * Mashhad * Tabriz * Bandar-e Abbas * Esfahan * Shiraz * Qom * Natural Disasters * Environmental Problems * Chapter 1 Assessment * CHAPTER 2: HISTORY * Introduction * Early History * Pre-Iranians: Akkadians and Elamites * The First Iranian Dynasties * The Medes * The Achaemenids * Zoroastrianism * Waves of Invaders * Alexander the Great, the Seleucids, and the Parthians * The Sassanid Era * Advent of Islam * The Muslim Conquest * Islam: The Early Centuries * The Abbasid Dynasty * Persian Influence and the Seljuk Empire * The Mongol Invasions * The Safavid Dynasty (1501-1722) * Nadir Shah and the Zands * European Influence * The Qajar Dynasty (1796-1925): Conquest and Defeat * Introduction to the World Economy * The Constitutional Revolution of 1905-1907 * The Anglo-Russian Convention * The Pahlavi Dynasty * The First Shah * The Last Shah * A Failed Attempt to Nationalize Oil * The White Revolution * Islamic Revolution * The Rise of Ayatollah Khomeini * Establishment of the Islamic Republic * Iranian Hostage Crisis * Intimidation and Repression * A New Constitution * The Iran-Iraq War * The Early Years * The End of the War * Post-Khomeini Iran * The "Tehran Spring" * Reform Movement Weakened * Conservative Consolidation of Power * The Green Movement * Recent Events * Chapter 2 Assessment * CHAPTER 3: ECONOMY * Introduction * Agriculture * Farming * Other Subsectors * Industry * Energy Resources * Oil * Natural Gas * Mineral Resources * Trade * Banking * Investment * Standard of Living * Transportation * Tourism * Chapter 3 Assessment * CHAPTER 4: SOCIETY * Introduction * Ethnic Groups/Languages * Western and Northern Indo-Iranian Groups * Other Indo-Iranian Groups * Turkic Groups * Semitic Groups * Religion * Cuisine * Gender Issues * Historical Status of Women * Status of Women Today * The Arts * Visual Arts * Textiles * Literature * Poetry * Film * Sports and Recreation * Chapter 4 Assessment * CHAPTER 5: SECURITY * Introduction * U.S.-Iranian Relations * Foreign Relations with Neighbors * Israel * Armenia * Iraq * Afghanistan * Pakistan * Turkey * Turkmenistan * Azerbaijan * Iranian Armed Forces and Police * Domestic Dissident Groups * The Emergence of Shi'a Power * Sponsorship of Terrorism * The Nuclear Weapons Development Stand-Off * Chapter 5 Assessment * FINAL ASSESSMENT * FURTHER READING * FOOTNOTES * Farsi Cultural Orientation - CHAPTER 1: PROFILE * Introduction * Geography and Climate * Area * Climate * Mountainous Highlands * Major Water Systems * Rivers * Lakes * Plains * Cities * Tehran * Mashhad * Tabriz * Shiraz * Esfahan * Qom * History * Rule of the Shah * Islamic Revolution * Iran-Iraq War * Post-Revolution Leadership and Recent History * Government * Media * Economy * Ethnic Groups * Azeris * Turks * Kurds * Baluchis * Turkmen * Arabs * CHAPTER 1: ASSESSMENT * CHAPTER 2: RELIGION * Introduction * Origins and Doctrine of Shi'a Islam * Religion and Government * Religious War Martyrs