Democratic Islamic Republic of Iran

The Democratic Islamic Republic of Iran (DIRI, or more commonly known as North Iran) is a landlocked country in Western Asia. Its current capital is in Tabriz, which is also its largest city in terms of population. North Iran is bordered by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the North, Iran to the South, Iraq and Turkey to the West, and the Caspian Sea to the East. The country is located in a largely forest steppe and cold mountain region. Lake Urmia, which is the largest lake in the Middle East, is located in the Western parts of North Iran. On 28 August 2009, North Iran, by means of a rebellion, separated from the rest of Iran, claiming the provinces of (from East to West) Gilan, Ardabil, East Azerbaijan (now the Central Region) and West Azerbaijan (now Western Iran).