Formerly Persia, IRAN is a country located in the Middle East. It is bordered by Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It has a population of over 81 million people and is the second-largest nation in the Middle East. Historically, it was known as Persia until 1935 when it was renamed to IRAN. It is a predominantly Shia Muslim country and is a major regional power in the Middle East.