Encyclopædia Iranica

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Encyclopædia Iranica
Author	1200 named contributors. Editor in chief: Ehsan Yarshater
Country	United States of America
Language	English
Subject(s)	Iranistics and Greater Iran studies
Genre(s)	Reference encyclopedia
Publisher	Center for Iranian Studies, Columbia University
Publication date	1985-present
Media type	45 Hardback Volumes 13 Volumes have been published so far
ISBN	1568590504

Encyclopædia Iranica is a project whose goal is to create a comprehensive and authoritative English language encyclopedia about the history, culture, and civilization of Iranian peoples from prehistory to modern times.^[1] It is a project of Columbia University, started in 1973 at its Center for Iranian Studies, and is considered the standard encyclopaedia of the academic discipline of Iranistics.

The scope of the encyclopedia goes beyond Persia (Iran) and encompasses other geographical areas where Iranian languages dominated at certain times: Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Anatolia and Kurdistan, as well as some regions of the Caucasus, South Asia, Central Asia, and Mesopotamia. Relations of the Iranian world with other cultures (China, Europe, etc.) are also covered.

The project has published 12 volumes, and is planning on publishing a total of up to 30 volumes. The full text of entries is available for free viewing online. (PC and Mac users require a simple free font download to display words showing their correct characters and accents, but this is not necessary for casual viewing.)

The editor-in-chief is Ehsan Yarshater and managing editor is Ahmad Ashraf. The editorial board includes Nicholas Sims-Williams, Christopher J. Brunner, Mohsen Ashtiany, Manuchehr Kasheff , and over 40 Consulting Editors from major international institutions doing research in Iranian Studies.^[2] A growing number (over 1,200 in 2006) of scholars from academic institutions in the United States, Europe, and Asia have contributed articles to Encyclopædia Iranica.

Many foundations, organizations, and individuals have supported Encyclopædia Iranica. Since 1979, the encyclopedia has been sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, which, as of 2007 has been covering one-third of the project's budget for a few years.^[1] The list of sponsors includes American Council of Learned Societies, Union Académique Internationale, Iran Heritage Foundation, and many other charitable foundations, philantropic families and individuals.

[edit] Recent controversy

On March 25, 2007, the Associated Press released a news story about Encyclopædia Iranica, introducing it to the greater public.^[3] This story was picked up by the news media, both print and online. For example, CNN International published it (with modifications) on their website. The article, however, contained serious inaccuracies, prompting Encyclopædia Iranica to publish an official response.