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Iran has a population of more than 60 million people with less than half of it under 20 years of age. The rate of population growth has recently fallen to 1.3%. In the current academic year, Iran has about 20 million students. As far as employment is concerned, 29 % of population are working in the agricultural sector, 25% in the industrial sector and the rest are in the service sector. According to latest census about 99.5% of the population are moslem while the total number of religious minorities in Iran is about 270 thousand, of which 79 thousand are Christian, 28 thousand Zoroastrian, 13 thousand Jewish and the rest believe in other religions. |
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Iran produces various types of agricultural products like wheat, rice, potato, sugar beet, cotton, etc. Products such as date, pistachio, fresh and dries fruits, caviar, flowers and medical plants are among the country's agricultural exports. Thanks to her geographical location, Iran has rich mineral resources of copper, aluminum, lead, chromite, etc. In recent years extensive efforts have been undertaken for exploration and utilization of mines and facilitating the export of mineral products.Industrial products in Iran include various types of vehicles, home appliances, petrochemical products and iron of which a large amount is exported. Iranian handicraft including rugs and carpets, tapestry, miniature, ceramic and so on are produced for both domestic use and export while being also readily available for tourists. The main figure in Iran's exports is that of oil. Iran is an OPEC member. This country has one of the world's largest oil tanker fleets that carries her crude and refined oil worldwide. Iran's oil industry became independent in 1950 by a national movement and Dr Muhammad Mossadegh. In recent years Iran has been exploring, extracting, refining and shipping her oil independent of technological assistance by other countries. With a natural gas resource about 17 thousand billion cubic feet, Iran is one of the world's biggest gas rich countries. During recent years gas supply to cities, houses and industries has had a marked growth. |
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