Iraq, officially known as the Republic of Iraq (Arabic: العراق), is a country in the Middle East spanning most
Flag of Iraq
of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range and the eastern part of the Syrian Desert. It shares borders with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the west, Syria to the northwest, Turkey to the north, and Iran to the east. It has a very narrow section of coastline at Umm Qasr on the Persian Gulf. The country has two major flowing rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. These rivers provide Iraq with agriculturally capable land and are a contrast to the desert landscape which composes the majority of the Middle east.
Iraq is a developing parliamentary democracy, composed of eighteen governorates (known as uhafadhat). The capital city, Baghdad, is located in the center-east of the nation. Iraq has a rich history dating back to ancient Mesopotamia. Historians identify the region between the Tigris River and the Euphrates River as the Fertile Crescent, a cradle of civilization, and as the birthplace of writing. During its long history, Iraq has been part of the Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Macedonian, Parthian, Arab, Ottoman and British empires.
Location of Iraq
Beginning with the invasion in 2003, a Multinational coalition of forces, mainly American, has occupied Iraq. The invasion has led to increased civil violence, political break-down, the removal and execution of former president Saddam Hussein, and national problems in the development of political balance, economy, infrastructure, and use of the country's massive reserves of oil. These issues have led to major set-backs for Iraq, making the country a developing nation that is the focus of increased attention from the West.
Capital: (and largest city) Baghdad
Official languages: Arabic, Kurdish
Government: Developing parliamentary democracy - President Jalal Talabani - Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki
Independence: - from the Ottoman Empire October 1, 1919 - from the United Kingdom October 3, 1932
Area: - Total 438,317 km² (58th) 169,234 sq mi - Water (%) 1.1
Population: - 2006 estimate 26,783,3834 (40th) - Density 66 /km² (125th) 171 /sq mi
GDP (PPP): 2006 estimate - Total $89.8 billion (61st) - Per capita $2,900 (130th)
Arab Countries Guide 
