Iran

Iran has magnificent ruins of ancient cities, plus glorious mosques and mausoleums, and museums so interesting they're bound to leave your feet sore. The more adventurous can enjoy trekking, budget-priced skiing, or shocking Iranian picnickers by swooping off cliffs strapped to a hang-glider cannily concealed in a backpack.

Area: 1,648,000 sq km (642,720 sq mi)
Population: 66 million
Capital city: Tehran (pop 12 million)
People: Persian (Farsis) (65%), Azari (25%), Arab (4%), Lors (2%), Turkmen (2%), Kurdish, Armenian, Jewish
Language: Persian
Religion: Shi'ite Muslim (89%), Sunni Muslim (10%), Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, Baha'i (1%)
Government: Islamic Republic
Spiritual leader: Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei
President: Hojjat-ol-Eslam Seyed Mohammed Khatami

GDP: US$340 billion
GDP per head: US$5000
Annual growth: 4.2%
Inflation: 19%
Major industries: Oil, gas, agriculture, carpets, armaments
Major trading partners: Japan, Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Belgium