The answer to the crossword is IRAN, a country which was once known as Persia. IRAN is located in the Middle East and is bordered by Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It has a population of over 81 million people and its official language is Persian. IRAN has a long and rich history, with its roots stretching back to the Achaemenid Empire in 550 BC. It has been an important center of culture and trade for centuries, and is home to many ancient monuments and archaeological sites.