A Brief Description
Over the centuries numerous empires dominated Mesopotamia, the fertile land we now call Iraq. Located between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, its capital city of Baghdad was at one time the most significant commercial and cultural center in the entire Muslim world.
Dozens of invasions and wars would follow, and in 1638, it was conquered by the Ottoman Turks.
In 1932, a decade after Turkey's defeat in World War I, Iraq became an independent kingdom.
Shortly after the Arab-Israeli war concluded in 1979, the Baath Party (led by Saddam Hussein) took control of the country.
In the 1980s, Iraq declared war on its neighbor Iran, and that brutal and tragic conflict lasted eight years. Tens of thousands died, many were victims of the chemical weapons introduced by Iraq. The economic loss to Iraq was estimated at more than $100 billion.
When Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, the Gulf War began, and their forces were quickly defeated by a military coalition.
Today, after the US-led invasion in March of 2003, the Hussein power base is gone, and Iraq is in transition. Military forces remain, helping to restore the damaged infrastructure, and the development of a freely elected government.
Read more about the history of Iraq here.
Men drinking tea, An Nataf, Iraq
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Facts and Figures
 Name Iraq
(long form) Republic of Iraq
Population 26,074,900
Population & Density (all countries) here
Capital City Baghdad (6.1 million)
Currency New Iraqi Dinar (NID)
Currency Converter
here
Languages Arabic, Kurdish, others
Flag here
National Day none
Religions Shi'a Muslim (64%), Sunni Muslim (32%)
Geographic Coordinates
Latitude/Longitude (Capital City)
33º 21' N, 44º 25' E
Relative Location Iraq is in both the northern and eastern hemispheres. It's positioned in the Middle East, a recognized geographical region of southwestern Asia. The country is bordered by the Persian Gulf, and by the countries of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey and Iran.
Land Statistics
Coastline 36 miles (58 km)
Land Areas
(land) 166,859 sq miles ( 432,162 sq km)
(water) 1,895 sq miles (4,910 sq km)
(TOTAL) 168,754 sq miles (437,072sq km)
Land Area (all countries) here
Landforms
Most of Iraq is a series of broad, sandy plains. In the far-west, the Syrian Desert blankets the land, and in the far-southeast near the Persian Gulf, the land is low, marshy, and often flooded.
It's mountainous in the far-north, as the Zagros Mountains front its borders with Iran and Turkey. The country's highest point is located there.
Two of the most significant rivers is all of Asia, the Euphrates and Tigris, drain the land.
 Highest Point unnamed peak - 11,847 ft. (3,611m)
 Lowest Point Persian Gulf - 0 ft. (0 m)
Land Divisions 18 governorates, including: Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, At Ta'mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, and Wasit.
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Maps
Iraq (large color) Map here
Iraq Outline Map here
Iraq CIA version here
Iraq Maps at UT here
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Asia Continent (printable) here
Asia Outline Map here
Asia (Southeast) Outline Map here
Asia (Name the Country) Map Test here
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Indian Subcontinent Map here
Middle East Landforms here
Middle East Map here
Middle East Outline Map here
Middle East Rivers here
Tsunami Map (December 2004) here
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World Outline Maps (printable) here
World Time Zone Map here
Recommended Links
Iraq (Complete) info on the (GDP)
economy, imports and exports, natural resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more here!
Iraq Daily (news)
here
Iraq.Net (news)
here
Iraq Photos at TrekEarth.com here
School children, Al Basrah, Iraq
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Time and Weather
Climate
Iraq in the summer months is very hot and very dry, with hardly a cloud in the sky. Winters are milder, often cool central and north. Some heavy snow fall does occur in the Zagros Mountains, where overnight lows (in winter) are rather frigid.
Rainfall amounts in the summer months are almost non-existent. The highest amounts of precipitation occur in late winter.
Traveler Info
Attractions
Due to the Iraq War, conditions in the country are very dangerous and unpredictable, thus making it one of the least desirable places in the world to visit at the present time.
In addition, three decades of war and government mismanagement have stunted Iraq's economy, leading to increased crime and poverty.
Attacks against military and civilian targets throughout Iraq continue. Targets include hotels, restaurants, police stations, checkpoints, foreign diplomatic missions, international organizations and other locations with expatriate personnel. Such attacks can occur at any time, especially during nighttime hours.
Country Dialing Code 964
Electricity Iraq uses 230 volts AC (50 Hz)
Electrical adapters, products and tips here
Travel Warnings
here
PASSPORTS - TRAVEL VISAS
NOTE: Before making your travel plans to any worldwide destination, we strongly recommend you authenticate important details regarding all passport and visa requirements. The experienced people at Travel Visa Pro can answer all of your questions!
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