Iraq Guide
Iraq – country information
| Country name | Iraq |
| Official name | Republic of Iraq |
| Capital | Baghdad |
| Continent | Asia |
| Area | 438,317 km2 |
| Population | 34,035,000 (2012) |
| Foundation of a state | 3/10/1932 |
| The highest mountains | Kúhe Hádží Ebráhím 3609 m |
| Longest rivers | Euphrates 2720 km (in the country 935 km), Tigris 1950 km (in the country 1600 km) |
| State system | a multi-party republic with a unicameral parliament |
| The biggest cities | Baghdad (Capital) 4,950,000, Basra 840,000, Mosul 775,000 |
| Official language | Arabic |
| Ethnicity/National Composition | Arabs 78%, Kurds 19%, Turkmen 1.2%, Iranians 0.6%, Assyrians 0.5%, others 0.7% |
| Religious affiliation | Shia Muslims 62%, Sunni Muslims 33%, Christians 3.5%, others 1% |
| Currency | 1 Iraqi dinar (IQD) = 200 dirhams = 1000 fils |
| gross domestic product (GDP) | US$7,004 (2012) |
| Average life expectancy of the population | 69.01 years (2006) |
| Structure of GDP | agriculture and fishing 20%, mining 11.5%, industry 11.5%, construction 8%, services 49% |
Iraq – Neighboring States
| State | Capital | Area | Population |
| Iran | Tehran | 1,648,200 km2 | 77,288,000 |
| Jordan | Amman | 89,342 km2 | 6,558,900 |
| Kuwait | Kuwait | 17,818 km2 | 3,065,850 |
| Saudi Arabia | Riyadh | 2,149,690 km2 | 29,994,272 |
| Syria | Damascus | 185,180 km2 | 21,898,000 |
| Turkey | Ankara | 783,562 km2 | 76,667,864 |
Country overview
According to Abbreviationfinder,Iraq is strategically located in the middle of the Middle East and has short access to the Persian Gulf. It borders Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the west, Syria to the northwest, Turkey to the north, and Iran to the east.
Iraq is a state in the Middle East. Shared borders in the southeast with Kuwait, in the east with Iran, in the south with Saudi Arabia, in the west with Jordan and Syria, in the north with Turkey. The capital is Baghdad. The official language is Arabic, Kurdish.
The climate is continental. The temperature in winter is +7*С, in summer +34*С.
In the Middle East, in the Mesopotamian lowland, in the valley of the flowing rivers Tigris and Euphrates, the state of Iraq is located. In the southeastern part, it is washed by the Persian Gulf. Winters are cool, summers are hot and dry.
Resorts and attractions of Iraq
Many years ago, in the fertile valley between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, a great civilization was born. Modern Iraq belongs to the territory of ancient Mesopotamia, which in Greek means “between two rivers.” It was in these places that man first began to cultivate the land, it was here that writing was invented, and the nations of the Assyrians, Babylonians and Sumerians made Iraq the center of the ancient world.
The history of this country is connected with bloody wars and the constant division of the country’s territory. Possessing huge oil reserves, the country, due to endless conflicts, cannot realize its huge economic potential. Perhaps tourists would willingly visit this place if it were not for the difficult military situation in the region. Until recently, a war raged in Iraq, which, among other things, destroyed the country’s tourism infrastructure. Now there is no war and despite the still high level of danger, tourism is reviving.
What is so attractive about Iraq. Everyone knows the names of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers , the ancient city of Babylon is familiar. And the capital of Iraq – the thousand-year-old city of Baghdad appears in many fairy tales and legends.
Baghdad is one of the largest population centers in the Middle East. Its territory stretches for many kilometers along the Tigris River, located in close proximity to the mouth of the Diyala River. The city is the cultural, political and economic center of Iraq. In addition, it is the most important transport hub of the country.
Country data
Location: Middle East
Time zone: CET + 2 (during summer time CET + 1)
Total area: 438,317 km²
Land area: 437,367 km²
Water area: 950 km²
Length of the state border: 3,809 km
Bordering countries:
Iran: 1,599 km
Jordan: 179 km
Kuwait: 254 km
Saudi Arabia: 811 km
Syria: 599 km
Turkey: 367 km
Coastline: 58 km
Capital: Baghdad
Provinces: 18
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, Wasit
Electric current: 220 V / 50 Hz
Telephone code: 00 964 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Cheekha Dar 3,611 m
Population
Population: approx. 32.6 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 2.2% per year
Population density (residents per km²): 74
Life expectancy: 70 (male), 73 (female)
Official language: Arabic, Kurdish
Religions:
- 99% Muslim
- 1% other
Climate
The summer months are always very hot and very dry with daytime temperatures of around 35-40 ° C.
In contrast to the European climate, the winter months are also quite warm (around 20 ° C).
There is very little rain all year round.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
Division: 1 dinar = 1,000 fils (no longer in circulation)
ATMs: are not available.
International credit cards: Accepted in some larger hotels.
Regulations: The national currency may be imported and exported up to an amount of 25 IQD.
There is no limit to the amount of foreign currencies that can be imported. The export is permitted in the amount of the declared import. There is an obligation to declare all amounts of money.
The import of Israeli currency is prohibited.
As a foreign currency, it is only recommended to bring US dollars in small denominations. In many shops you can also use it to pay directly.
Customs regulations
We currently do not have any reliable customs information for Iraq.
Travel advice
The Federal Foreign Office has issued a general travel warning for Iraq!
All Germans are asked to leave Iraq and avoid the border regions of neighboring countries with Iraq.
The embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Iraq is not functional. Help in emergencies and other support cannot therefore be given.
Assistance from state security agencies is rarely the case and in no way does it offer adequate protection.
Behavioral advice
Government buildings and military installations may not be photographed.
Eating and drinking in public is prohibited during the month of fasting.
Economy
The export of petroleum is the country’s main source of income.
Most of the natural resources are also exported for foreign exchange.
Industries: natural gas and oil production, food production, textiles
Natural resources: lead, natural gas, petroleum, copper, phosphates, sulfur, zinc
Land use:
- Usable land: 12%
- Grain cultivation: 0%
- Pasture area: 9%
- Forests: 0%
- other: 79%
Plants
Reed plants and some not so demanding tree species grow in the hot climate.
Otherwise there are only a few types of grass and smaller shrubs.
Animals
Antelopes, ospreys, hyenas, jackals and many reptiles are mainly to be found.
