Iraq

About Iraq

Capital

Baghdad

Continent

Independence Date

3 October 1932

Official Language	Afrikaans
Second Language	English, Turkmen
Population	~46 million
Passport Color	Red
Passport Rank	#97
Dialing Code	964
Country TLD	.iq

Iraq Overview

Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq (Arabic: جمهورية العراق‎, Kurdish: كۆماری عێراق), is a country located in Western Asia, bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the southwest, and Syria to the west. The country has a small coastline along the Persian Gulf. Its capital and largest city is Baghdad.

Iraq is often referred to as the Cradle of Civilization, home to ancient Mesopotamian cities like Babylon, Ur, and Nineveh. It played a vital role in the development of writing, law, and urban culture. Modern Iraq has a rich cultural and religious heritage, with a population composed mainly of Arabs and Kurds, and minorities including Turkmen and Assyrians.

The economy of Iraq is largely dependent on oil exports, which account for the majority of government revenue. Arabic and Kurdish are official languages, and the national currency is the Iraqi Dinar (IQD). Iraq’s diverse geography includes deserts, fertile plains, and the Tigris-Euphrates river system that sustains agriculture and life across the country.

Quick Facts About Iraq

Coordinates	33.2232° N, 43.6793° E
Bordering Countries	Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria
Region / Continent	Asia (Middle East / Western Asia)
Total Area	~438,317 sq km
Population Density	~95 people per sq km
Highest Point	Cheekha Dar – 3,611 m
Major Rivers	Tigris, Euphrates, Diyala
Climate Type	Mostly arid and subtropical; Mediterranean in the north
Famous For	Mesopotamia, ancient ruins, Tigris & Euphrates, oil reserves
Major Landmarks	Babylon ruins, Baghdad, Erbil Citadel, Great Mosque of Samarra
Official Languages	Arabic, Kurdish
Currency	Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
Government Type	Federal Parliamentary Republic
Time Zone	UTC+3
Major Exports	Crude oil, petroleum products, dates
Visitor Entry	Visa required; eVisa and visa-on-arrival available for some countries