The 7 Countries That Share a Border with Iran

While the name is familiar, many people don’t actually know anything about Iran. This Middle Eastern country was originally called Persia, but in 1935, the King renamed it Iran, which means land of Aryans. While most Islamic states’ national language is Arabic, Iran’s national language is Farsi. In 1979, Iranian tourism came to a screeching halt due to the Iranian Revolution, and it has struggled to make a comeback. It’s unfortunate because the country is steeped in ancient culture, rich tapestry, and strong traditions. In addition, Iran’s phenomenally diverse landscapes are something to behold. Countries that share a border with Iran include Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, and Turkmenistan. Discover interesting facts about these countries and their cultures.

Countries That Share a Border with Iran

As mentioned above, there are seven countries that share a border with Iran, and they are listed below:

1. Afghanistan

The official name for this country is the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. It is the 37^th most populous country on the planet, with a population of nearly 40 million. Around 10% of the population lives in Kabul, the largest city and the Capital of Afghanistan. This country has two official languages, Dari and Pashto, and the official state religion is Islam. In fact, 99.7% of Afghan citizens are Muslim, of which 80% to 89% practice Sunni Islam. The remainder practice Shia Islam.

Afghanistan has no public Christian churches. However, the Italian Embassy in Kabul has the country’s only legally recognized Christian church, authorized in 1933, called the Our Lady of Divine Providence Chapel. Afghanistan is known for its extreme temperatures. For example, more than 180 degrees Fahrenheit separates the high and low-temperature records. The highest temperature on record is 121.8 °F, and the lowest is −62.0 °F.

2. Armenia

Armenia is one of the six most ancient countries in the world, along with Greece, Iran, China, Japan, and Egypt, surviving for thousands of years. In fact, King Dari I first mentions Armenia in a Behistun manuscript in 520 BC. Furthermore, this historic country was also mentioned by ancient Greek authors Xenophon and Herodotus in the 5^th century BC.

Yerevan is one of the oldest cities in the world, founded in 782 BC by King Argishti I. This city is the 13^th capital of Armenia. It is nestled in the north-eastern part of the Ararat Vally. Yerevan is so old that it was founded 29 years before Rome.

One of Armenia’s most valued symbols is Mount Ararat because of its significance to the bible. It is so important; it is depicted on the country’s emblem. After the floods, Noah landed on Mount Ararat. “And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat” (Genesis 8:4). Furthermore, this mountain range houses two extinct volcanoes, Small Ararat and Great Ararat. But today, the mountain no longer belongs to Armenia. It now occupies a territory of modern Turkey.

3. Azerbaijan

While introducing their first republic, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, between 1918 and 1920, Azerbaijan developed a lot. It became the first Muslim nation to grant women rights, and it is still one of the most progressive Muslim nations to this day. For such a small country, Azerbaijan has an alarming amount of volcanoes, about 350 to be exact. However, these aren’t your average volcanoes; they are mud volcanoes. This means that Azerbaijan has the highest concentration of mud volcanoes in the world. Some are more than 20 million years old.

But what this country is really known for is its oil reserves. For example, Azerbaijan supplied more than half the world’s oil in 1901. Additionally, during WW II, 75% of the oil produced in the Soviet Union was from Azerbaijan. As a result, the Soviet tanks that needed the oil defeated the Nazis.

4. Iraq

There are two major rivers flowing through this ancient country, the Tigris and Euphrates. These rivers are the reason Iraq is so fertile. Within the Euphrates-Tigris river system is an area called Mesopotamia, a historical site considered the oldest civilization in the world, dating back to 3300 BC to 750 BC. Furthermore, Iraq also has one of the oldest forms of writing in the world, called the Cuneiform script, which has existed since before 3200 BC. This writing is characterized by different wedge-shaped markings and symbols on clay tablets, and it was invented by the Sumerians. Many believe that Noah built his ark in the city of Kufa.

5. Pakistan

The culture in Pakistan is very similar to other countries in South Asia. However, it has plenty of unique qualities. For example, Pakistan has 77 established languages, but the national language is Urdu. Others include:

• Punjabi
• Sindhi
• Pashto
• Balochi
• Hindko
• Saraiki
• English

While Mount Everest is the largest mountain in the world, Karakoram Mountain Range is the second biggest.

Malala Yousafzai is from Pakistan. She is an activist who advocates for women’s education in secluded areas. She made so much noise that the Taliban attacked her. However, her efforts paid off, and she was awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize and was only 17 at the time. As a result, she is the youngest person to ever win this prestigious award.

6. Turkey

Santa Claus was born in Turkey. This historical figure originated in Patara around 300 AD. He was a holy man, and many believed he could perform miracles, including saving sailors from sinking ships. Turkey is also known for its many languages. In fact, this country has over 30 minority languages, but its official language is Turkish. Others include Mesopotamian Arabic, Kurmanji., and Zazaki.

Additionally, Turkey is home to the longest word, Muvaffakiyetsizleştiricileştiriveremeyebileceklerimizdenmişsinizcesine. It translates to, “As though you are from those whom we may not be able to easily make into a maker of unsuccessful ones and has 70 letters.” However, this word is not used often as it was especially derived for a story.

7. Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan is a land-locked country and Central Asia’s least densely populated country. It is a new country, only coming into existence in 1991 after the Soviet Union fell. But since then, the country has been ruled by President Saparmurat Niyazov. But, in 2006, he died of a heart attack, and President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov came into power and has ruled ever since. Here are some strange facts about Turkmenistan:

• It is one of the least visited countries on earth.
• Turkmenistan is 70% desert
• The Gate of Hell is a man-made mistake
• It has a National Melon Day holiday
• Turkmenistan has banned the consumption of horse meat, making it the only country in Central Asia to do so.
• It is the only neutral country in the world.
• Turkmenistan is famous for its traditional carpets.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/mazzo1982