Persia refers historically to the region that is now modern-day Iran. The term "Persia" originated from a region in southern Iran called Persis (or Pars/Parsa, now Fārs province). Ancient Persia was a large empire centered in this area, and today, Iran is the contemporary country that corresponds to the land historically known as Persia. The name "Iran" officially replaced "Persia" in 1935, but both names have been used interchangeably to refer to the same country located in southwestern Asia, bordering the Persian Gulf and surrounded by countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Turkey.
