Iraq

Overview

Iraq is a country in Western Asia covering approximately 438,317 square kilometres, bordered by Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria. Home to around 40 million people, it occupies much of ancient Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers where some of the world's earliest civilisations flourished. Researchers, travellers, and those following regional affairs alike find Iraq a country of deep historical, cultural, and geopolitical significance.

Geography

Iraq is dominated by the broad alluvial plain formed by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which converge in the south to form the Shatt al-Arab waterway before emptying into the Persian Gulf. The country's terrain shifts considerably from north to south: the Kurdistan Region in the north and northeast features rugged mountain ranges, including peaks exceeding 3,000 metres near the Iranian and Turkish borders. The western and southwestern portions of the country give way to the Syrian and Arabian deserts, while the southeast holds extensive marshlands — the Mesopotamian Marshes — home to unique ecosystems and traditional communities. Iraq has a narrow outlet to the Persian Gulf near Basra. The climate ranges from semi-arid to arid across most of the country, with hot, dry summers and mild winters on the plains, and colder, snowier conditions in the northern highlands.

Demographics

Iraq's population stands at roughly 40.2 million. The country is predominantly Arab, with Kurds forming the largest ethnic minority, concentrated mainly in the Kurdistan Region in the north. Smaller communities include Turkmen, Assyrians, Shabaks, Yazidis, and others. Arabic and Kurdish are the two official languages. Islam is the religion of the vast majority of the population, split broadly between Shia and Sunni communities; small Christian, Yazidi, Mandaean, and other minority groups also exist. Iraq is increasingly urbanised, with Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul being the largest population centres.

Culture & Language

Arabic is spoken by the majority of Iraqis, while Kurdish — in its Sorani and Kurmanji dialects — is widely used in the north. Iraqi Arabic has its own distinct dialect and literary tradition. Iraqi cuisine is built around staples such as rice, lamb, flatbreads, and an array of stews; dishes like masgouf (grilled river fish) and kubba (stuffed dumplings) are particularly associated with the country. Music traditions range from maqam, the classical vocal form rooted in the urban coffeehouses of Baghdad, to folk styles of the Kurdish mountains. Football is the dominant sport. Hospitality is a deeply embedded social value, and tea culture is central to daily life.

Government & Politics

Iraq is a federal parliamentary republic. The country's modern post-2003 political system was established following the fall of Saddam Hussein's Ba'athist government and is governed under a constitution approved by referendum in 2005. The federal structure grants the Kurdistan Region significant autonomy. The head of state is the President, a largely ceremonial role, while executive authority rests with the Prime Minister, who leads the Council of Ministers. The Council of Representatives serves as the national legislature. Baghdad functions as both the national capital and the seat of federal government. Iraq declared independence from the British Mandate on 3 October 1932, making it one of the first Arab states to gain formal recognition from the League of Nations.

Economy

Iraq's economy is heavily dependent on hydrocarbons. The country holds some of the world's largest proven oil reserves, and petroleum exports account for the vast majority of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings. Iraq is a member of OPEC. The Iraqi dinar (IQD), with currency symbol ع.د, is the official currency. GDP is estimated at roughly 250–270 billion USD in recent years, translating to a GDP per capita of around 6,000–7,000 USD, though these figures fluctuate with global oil prices. Agriculture along the Tigris-Euphrates basin, including the cultivation of dates and grain, plays a secondary role. The country imports a wide range of manufactured goods, foodstuffs, and machinery.

Quick Facts

• Capital: Baghdad
• Currency: Iraqi dinar (IQD) ع.د
• Time zone: UTC+03:00 (Asia/Baghdad)
• Calling code: +964
• Internet TLD: .iq

Infrastructure & Development

Internet penetration in Iraq has grown considerably over the past decade, with mobile broadband being the primary means of access for much of the population. Baghdad and other major cities have expanding mobile networks, though coverage and reliability vary in rural areas. The road network is the primary mode of land transport; rail connections exist but are limited in reach and frequency. Baghdad International Airport is the main international gateway, with Erbil International Airport serving as a major hub for the Kurdistan Region. The education system is overseen by both the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government. Healthcare infrastructure, while more developed in urban centres, faces ongoing challenges related to reconstruction and resource distribution.

Tourism & Highlights

Iraq holds an extraordinary concentration of historical and archaeological heritage. The ancient city of Babylon, south of Baghdad, is among the most famous archaeological sites in the world and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. The Mesopotamian Marshes in the south, home to the Marsh Arab communities, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016 alongside the archaeological cities of Eridu, Ur, and Uruk in the same region. The old city of Mosul and the Assyrian site of Nimrud, though damaged during the conflict with ISIL, remain of immense historical importance. The Kurdistan Region offers mountain landscapes, citadels such as the ancient Erbil Citadel — itself a UNESCO site — and cooler climates. The shrine cities of Najaf and Karbala draw millions of Shia Muslim pilgrims annually.

History

The territory that is now Iraq is often called the cradle of civilisation. Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria all arose in Mesopotamia, producing the world's earliest writing systems, legal codes, and urban centres. The region was subsequently ruled by the Achaemenid Persians, Alexander the Great, the Seleucids, Parthians, and Sassanids. The Islamic conquest in the 7th century CE brought profound cultural transformation, and Baghdad later became the seat of the Abbasid Caliphate and one of the great cities of the medieval world. The Mongol invasion of 1258 devastated Baghdad. Ottoman rule followed, lasting until the First World War, after which Britain administered the territory under a League of Nations mandate. The Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq gained formal independence in 1932. A series of coups culminated in Ba'athist rule and eventually the presidency of Saddam Hussein. The Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988) and the Gulf War of 1991 caused widespread destruction. The US-led invasion in 2003 toppled the Ba'athist government, triggering years of insurgency and sectarian conflict. Iraq later faced the rise and territorial control of ISIL between 2014 and 2017, before federal and Kurdish forces, backed by an international coalition, retook the affected regions.

Practical Information

Visa requirements for Iraq vary significantly by nationality, and you should check with the nearest Iraqi embassy or consulate before travelling. The Kurdistan Region operates a separate entry process and is generally more accessible to foreign visitors than other parts of the country. Travel advisories from most Western governments continue to urge caution in many areas of Iraq outside the Kurdistan Region; you are advised to consult your government's current travel guidance before planning any visit. The country drives on the right-hand side of the road. The emergency telephone number is 115 for police; ambulance services can be reached on 122. The climate is predominantly hot and dry, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 45°C in Baghdad and the central plains; the best time to visit the central and southern regions is between October and April, while the Kurdistan Region offers milder conditions in summer.