Islamic Republic of Iran

Islamic Republic of Iran

636,372 square miles

Second largest country in The Middle East and 18th In the world

One of the world’s most mountainous countries

Various climate zones

Seven immediate neighbors

Proximity to eleven others

Easternmost extension of the Fifteen Middle East North Africancountries

Demographics

● 78,400,000 people; seventeenth largest in the world● 28% under 15 years of age; 46% under 25; 6% older than 54; median is 27.3● Iran has one of the highest urban growth rates in the world. From 1950 to 2002, the

urban proportion of the population increased from 27% to 60%. The United Nations predicts that by 2030, 80% of the population will be urban

● Tehran, with a population of 7,705,036, is the largest city in Iran and is the capital. Tehran, like many big cities, suffers from severe air pollution.

● Life expectancy at birth is 76 years● Contraceptive prevalence rate is 61%● Distinct culture as a blend of Arab, Imazighen (Berber), Sub-Saharan African with

European influences● Algerian Arabic and Berber are the native languages of over 99% of Algerians, with

Algerian Arabic spoken by about 72% and Berber by 27%. French, although unofficial, is also widely spoken

● Amazighs are the indigenous people and the bulk of the population, although they have been largely Arabized

● Education is free and officially compulsory for Algerians up to age 16, but actual enrollment falls far short of 100 percent; literacy rate is 69%

● Predominanat religion is Islam● Algeria is regarded as one of the most culturally advanced countries of the African

continent.

Significant Historical Events

● France invaded in 1830, ransacked Algiers, beginning an occupation that exceeded 130 years● France encourage settlement by granting free land to immigrants during the 1840’s and 1850’s● Wealthy French founded great estates or urban enterprises● Opposition led to rebellion led by Abd al-Qadir; squashed● French divided Algeria into areas of self-administration for the settlers, leading to declaration that Algeria

became an integral part of France in 1848● Thousands of settlers from France, Italy, Spain, and Malta moved in to the Algerian

coastal plain and settled there permanently ● Arab Algerians (Muslims) lost power in the mixed areas and with heavy taxation and a drought in 1866;

revolted in 1871; the violence and famine may have cost the lives of almost 20%● Many who served in France during WWI returned with demands for equality and liberty● French created an Algerian Assembly in 1947, but still quelled attempts for independence● The major party, F.L.N., launched attacks against French military targets● Over the next fives years violence, death, torture and ritualistic murder became commonplace● De Gaulle tried to appease by proposing a new constitution but oppostion on both sides scuttled it● Independence was finalized in the Evian Accords of 1962; led to “accelerated decolonization.”

Political System

● Designed with a desire for stability plus encouragement of rapid economic growth● The military, in practice, remain major powerbrokers along with "a select group" of unelected

civilians ● Political climate is dynamic and often in a state of transformation● Politics of Algeria takes place in a framework of a presidential republic, whereby the president is

head of state while the prime minister is the head of government● Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the

government and the two chambers of parliament, the People’s National Assembly and the Council of the Nation

● Parliament is elected● Many political parties have been formed as allowed by the constitution of 1976● The largest political party, FLN, is a continuation of the main revolutionary body that directed the

war for independence ● After the violent riots in 1988, a new constitution was adopted in 1989 that allowed the formation

of political associations other than the FLN. It also removed the military from a role in the operation of the government.

● In 1996 a referendum introduced changes to the constitution, enhancing presidential powers and banning Islamist parties. Presidential elections were held in April 1999; Bouteflika received 70% of vote

● Following his election to a five-year term, Bouteflika concentrated on restoring security and stability to the strife-ridden country; campaigned for and got amnesty for the F.I.S..

● Social tensions persist mainly centered on charges of political corruption● Bouteflika won a third term easily in April, 2014, after a constitutional prohibition was waived

Freedom Rating in the World

● Political rights and civil liberties scores:

● Political rights 12 of 40 Electroal process 4 of 12 Political pluralism and participation 4 of 16 Functioning of government 3 of 12

• Civil Liberties 23 of 60 Freedom of expression and belief 6 of 16 Associational and organizational rights 5 of 16 Rule of law 5 of 16 Personal autonomy and individual rights 7 of 16

Overall ranking at 146 of 173 countries; fourteenth of the fifteen countries in the middle east-north africa croup; considered “not free” by freedom house

Economy

● An expansionary fiscal policy initiated in 2011 to meet strong social demands in terms of purchasing power, jobs and housing.

● The oil and gas sector is the country’s main source of revenues, having generated about 70% of total budget receipts.

● The economy is projected to grow by 3.2% in 2013 and by 4.0% in 2014.● Fifth largest reserves of natural gas in the world● Profits from petroleum and gas products represent about 25% of GDP and those exports 97% of all ● GDP averages $7,500 per capita, eighth among the fifteen countries in ME-NA● The unemployment rate stands at 10%● The 2013 attack on the natural gas facility has hindered net foreign investment in Algeria● Needed is a strong strategy for sustained growth, especially to benefit the younger population● Diversification away from a petroleum based economy is essential

Index of Economic Freedom

● Scores for key categories (each out of a possible 100):● Rule of Law Property rights 30 Freedom from Corruption 29

● Limited Government Government Spending 51 Fiscal Freedom 80

● Regulatory Efficiency Business Freedom 66 Labor Freedom 48 Monetary Freedom 68

● Open Markets Trade Freedom 61 Investment Freedom 45 Financial Freedom 30

Overall score of 50.8 marking Algeria as fourteenth of the fifteen Middle East-North Africa group and 146 in the world and is considered economically “mostly unfree.”

Foreign Relations

● Fought a brief war with Morocco over disputed territory in 1963● Signed a treaty with Morocco in 1969 confirming the boundaries as they

were, and are● This remains a sticky situation still● Major dispute with Morocco over her occupation of Western Sahara; Algeria

sides with the Polisario there as they claim independence● Generally peaceful relations with Algeria’s several neighbors● Militants from Mali attacked the natural gas facility in 2013● Cordial relations with the United States, perhaps because of the petroleum

situation● Still close, even official relations with France● Always a target for possible terrorism● nine percent, though almost fifteen percent of Moroccans

Challenge Questions

● What effect do you think the Islamic state (Isis) will have on Algeria?

● Why would you invest or not invest in Algeria assuming you have sufficient funds to do so?

● What would you do to advance the welfare of the people within the country??

World Heritage SitesAlgeria

● Djemila