Iran, formerly known as Shahdom and PERSIA, is a country located in the Middle East. It is bordered by Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It has a long and rich history, having been ruled by various empires throughout its existence. The name 'IRAN' was adopted in 1935, replacing the former name of PERSIA. Prior to this, the country was known as Shahdom, which was derived from the Persian Empire.