![Heading down towards the village\](http://photos.travelblog.net/32005/208706/s/1573160-heading-down-towards-the-village-0.jpg "Heading down towards the village\")
Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and the shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political author...more history