Iraq

Iraq Eventhough it has an interesting background, and special things to see, this might not bee the place to go right now. Since the war started, it is most unlikely that it is even possible to go. The country suffers food shortages, lack of medicine and is in fact lawless at the moment. Bagdad used to be a city with bazaars with exotic merchanise or ancient sights. For now we can only hope the country soon will be established so it again will be possible to visit.

Area: 435.168 Km²
Population: 23.332.000 (2001 est.)
Density: 54 pop/Km²

System of government: Republic
Capital: Baghdad (4.365.000 pop.)
Major cities: Arbil 1.745.000 pop., Mosul 879.000 pop., Bassora 600.000 pop., Kirkuk 250.000 pop.
Ethnic majority: Arab 80%, Kurdish 15%, Turkish 2%
Border countries: Turkey NORTH, Syria and Jordan WEST, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait SOUTH, Iran EAST

Principal mountains: Keli Haji Ibrahim 3600 m
Principal rivers: Tigris 1450 Km (Iraqi tract, total 1950 Km), Euphrates 1100 Km (Iraqi tract, total 2760 Km)
Principal lakes: Hawr al Hammar 1950 Km², Buhayrat ath Tharthar 1500 Km², Bahr al Milh 1000 Km²
Principal islands: -
Climate: Continental

Language: Arabic (official), Kurdish, Turkish
Religion: Shi'a Muslim 60%, Sunni Muslim 35%, Christian 5%
Currency: Iraqi Dinar (IQD)

Fixed public holidays: 1/1, 6/1, 8/2, 17/4, 1/5, 14/7, 17/7, 8/8
Dialling code: 00964
GMT: +3

World Heritage List:

• Hatra (1985)
• Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (2003)