Encyclopædia Iranica
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{{Infobox Book
| name = Encyclopædia Iranica
| title_orig =
| language = English
| image_caption = Copyright Encyclopædia Iranica
| author = 1200 named contributors.<br>Editor in chief:<br>[[Ehsan Yarshater]]
| country = [[United States of America]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
| subject = [[Iranistics]] and [[Greater Iran]] studies
| genre = [[Reference work|Reference]] [[encyclopedia]]
| publisher = Center for Iranian Studies,<br>[[Columbia University]]
| release_date = 1985-present
| media_type = 45 [[Hardback]] Volumes<br>13 Volumes have been published so far
| pages =
| isbn = 1568590504
}}
__NOTOC__
'''''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.<ref name="ashraf-ap">{{cite web|title=Official response of the Encyclopaedia Iranica to the ''Associated Press'' article of March 25, 2007 entitled "U.S.-funded encyclopedia revels in Iran's greatness"|date=2007-04-05|last=Ashraf|first=Ahmad|publisher=Encyclopedia Iranica|url=http://www.iranian.com/News/2007/April/Images/ReplyToAP.pdf}}</ref> 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 [[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. ([[IBM PC compatible|PC]] and [[Macintosh|Mac]] users require a simple [http://www.iranica.com/articlenavigation/win_font.html 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.<ref>[http://www.iranica.com/newsite/aboutiranica/index.isc Encyclopaedia Iranica<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 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.<ref name="ashraf-ap" /> The list of sponsors includes [[American Council of Learned Societies]], [[Union Académique Internationale]], [[Iran Heritage Foundation]], and many other [[charitable foundation]]s, philantropic families and individuals.
===Recent controversy===
On [[March 25]], [[2007]], the [[Associated Press]] released a news story about ''Encyclopædia Iranica'', introducing it to the greater public.<ref>[http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070326/iran_encyclopedia_070326/20070326?hub=Entertainment CTV.ca | U.S.-funded encyclopedia revels in Iran's greatness<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> 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 [http://www.iranian.com/News/2007/April/Images/ReplyToAP.pdf official response].
== See also ==
* [[Iranology]]
* [[Academy of Persian Language and Literature]]
* [[List of online encyclopedias]]
==References==
{{refs}}
==External links==
* [http://www.iranica.com/ ''Encyclopædia Iranica'' Website]. Full-text access to the Encyclopædia as it currently exists.
* [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articlenavigation/instructions.html Font installation instructions for viewing Iranica online]
*[http://www.college.columbia.edu/cct/nov03/features5.php ''Columbia College Today'' on ''Encyclopædia Iranica'']
*[http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/03/25/iran.encyclopedia.ap/index.html CNN World: "Move over Britannica, here's Encyclopedia Iranica"] [http://www.cbc.ca/cp/entertainment/070325/e032508A.html (2)]
*[https://www.iranica.com/reviews/index.html Reviews]
*[https://www.iranica.com/opinion/index.html Scholar reviews of Iranica]
[[Category:Encyclopedias on culture and ethnicity|Iranica]]
[[Category:Iranian culture]]
[[Category:English-language encyclopedias|Iranica]]
[[Category:Online encyclopedias|Iranica]]
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