As a specialist in history and international relations, I can provide a comprehensive answer to your question about the country that was once called Persia. The country that was historically known as Persia is Iran. The name "Persia" originated from the Greek name for the region, which was derived from the Old Persian word "Parsa," referring to an area in what is now southern Iran.

The use of the term "Persia" dates back to the ancient times when the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE, became known to the Greeks as the Persian Empire. This name stuck through the subsequent dynasties that ruled the region, including the Parthian and Sassanian Empires.

However, the name "Iran" has a deeper historical significance. It is derived from the ancient word "Aryan," which was used to describe a group of people who spoke Indo-European languages and were believed to have migrated to the region. The term "Iran" was used to denote the land of the Aryans, and it was adopted as the official name of the country in 1935 by Reza Shah Pahlavi, the founder of the Pahlavi dynasty.

On the occasion of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in 1935, Reza Shah Pahlavi made a significant diplomatic move by requesting foreign delegates to use the term "Iran" in formal correspondence. This decision was part of a broader effort to modernize the country and to emphasize its ancient and indigenous roots, rather than the name given by foreign powers.

The adoption of "Iran" over "Persia" was also a way to unify the diverse ethnic groups within the country under a single national identity. While the term "Persian" was traditionally associated with the ethnic Persians, "Iran" was inclusive of all the various ethnic groups that make up the nation.

It is important to note that the switch from "Persia" to "Iran" was not universally accepted immediately. The name "Persia" continued to be used in some contexts, especially in the Western world, where it was more familiar. However, over time, the use of "Iran" has become more prevalent in international relations and formal contexts.

In conclusion, the country that was once called Persia is now known as Iran. The change in nomenclature reflects a desire to assert national identity and to connect with the deep historical roots of the land. The name "Iran" carries with it a sense of pride and continuity, linking the modern nation to its ancient past.

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In the Western world, Persia (or one of its cognates) was historically the common name for Iran. On the Nowruz of 1935, Reza Shah Pahlavi asked foreign delegates to use the term Iran, the endonym of the country, in formal correspondence.read more >>