Persia, presently known as IRAN, is a country located in the Middle East. It is bordered by Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It has a long and rich history, having been ruled by various dynasties over the centuries. The name Persia was used to refer to the country until 1935, when it was changed to IRAN. Today, IRAN is a theocratic republic, with a population of over 80 million people.