The name 'Persia' comes from 'Pers' which is in turn the European version of 'Pars' - an area that is today a province of Iran (see the map at the bottom of this page). read more
Iran is the legal name. Persia, was an ancient kingdom within Iran. Iran came to be known as Persia in the West thanks to classical Greek authors during whose time Persia was the dominant kingdom in Iran. To call all of Iran 'Persia', would be like calling all of Britain 'England'. read more
Persia is the Western name of the country, and Iranians were calling their country Iran for over a millennium. Persia evokes the old culture and civilization of the country. Persia and the name of a province of Iran (viz., Pars) are from the same root, and may cause confusion. read more