The country known as Persia is modern-day Iran. The historical Persian Empire was established over 2,500 years ago and was a major cultural and political force in the ancient world. At its height, it spanned from parts of the Balkans and Eastern Europe, across the Middle East, and into South Asia. The name "Persia" was officially used until 1935, when the Iranian government requested that the international community refer to the country as Iran, the name used by its inhabitants. Persian culture, language, and art continue to influence the region and the world to this day.