Iran: Spatial Unit Examined

Where are they going?

Where have they been?

History: The Ancient Past

• The Persian Empire

• Persian Iran

• The Shah of Iran: 1501 – 1979

History: Of Islam in Persian Iran

• Islamization

• Islamic Golden Age

• New Establishment of Religion

History: It’s A Revolution

• Islamic Revolution of 1979

• Ayatollah Era

• Islamic Republic of Iran

• Future Revolution?

Communication Technologies

Pop.=66,429,284Main line telephones=23.835 million or 35%Mobile/Cellular=29.77 million or 45%Internet users= 23 million or 34%

Compare to USAMain line= 53%Cell/Mobile= 83%Internet users=72%

Communication Technologies

• Telecommunications company of Iran (TCI) recently split and privatized. All media is heavily censored/regulated by government

• Recent privatization of mobile phone sector has led to competition and lower prices for end user

Socio-economic situation in Iran

• Heavily reliant on Oil=Gas Export (80% exports)

• 60% Economy directly controlled by government

• 26%Inflation, 12% unemployment

• Markedly inefficient government operations hinder move towards privatization

What’s the good news?

• Growing Intellectual community

• Iran among top 25 world spenders on Education

Strained Resources

• Arid, mountainous geography– Agricultural production and water resources

limited

• Population doubled in 25 years

• Little investment in infrastructure or economic development– High poverty rate, poor air quality, poor water

quality

Impact of Oil Industry

• Industrial waste leading to water quality degradation

• Caspian Sea Region– Rising sea level (2.5 meters since 1978)– Threat to aquatic ecosystem (fish spawning

grounds and seal population)

• Increased awareness– Caspian Environment Program

(www.caspianenvironment.org)– CASPCOM (www.caspcom.com)

References• Afrasiabi, K. L. (2003). The environmental movement in Iran: perspectives from below and above. The Middle

East Journal, 57, 432-448. Retrieved February 21, 2009, from Expanded Academic ASAP.• Azam Zanganeh, L. (Ed.). (2006). My sister, guard your veil; my brother, guard your eyes: Uncensored Iranian

voices. Boston: Beacon Press.• Butler, Declan (2006, November). The Data Gap. Nature, 444, Retrieved 03/26/09, from

http://elearning.emporia.edu/courses/1/LI806A200910/groups/_3458_1/_103323_1/DataGapNature.pdf• Campbell, Deborah (2006). Iran’s Quiet Revolution. The Walrus Magazine, 54-65• CIA, (2009, March 19). Iran. Retrieved March 30, 2009, from CIA world fact book Web site:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ir.html• Fenton, Matthew (2006). Iran Leads an Islamic Uprising. Time The Middle East: The History, Cultures, Conflicts,

and Faiths, 52-85• Fergany, Nader (2006, November). Islam and Science. Nature, 444, Retrieved March 27, 2009, from

http://elearning.emporia.edu/courses/1/LI806A200910/groups/_3458_1/_103324_1/NatureIran.htm• Ghasemi, A. (2009). The parkingallery. Retrieved March 29, 2009, from http://www.parkingallery.com/.• National Public Radio. (2009). Unwrapping Iran. Retrieved February 24, 2009, from http://

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100204572.• Vakil, S. (2004). Iran: The gridlock between demography and democracy. SAIS Review, 24(2), 45-53. Retrieved

February 21, 2009, from Project MUSE.