Iraq

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Quick Facts

[edit]

Capital

Baghdad

Population

24,683,000

Government

Iraqi Interim Government

Religions

Islam (Shi'a, Sunni)

Languages

Arabic, Kurdish, Assyrian, Armenian

Calling Code

+964

Nationality

Iraqi

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Introduction

Unknown Soldier Memorial

© All Rights Reserved Dublin

Iraq is a country with an immensely rich history, located in the area that was once known as Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. A fertile land, Mesopotamia passed through the hands of the Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian and Babylonian empires.

Unfortunately, this fascinating ancient history has been largely overshadowed by the current war in Iraq. For the few souls out there who desperately want to visit Iraq, patience is the key word. Iraq is not a safe place for visitors, with the threat of kidnapping and murder prevalent.

Brief History

Geography

Iraq is mostly desert and mountains except for the two main river valleys. The Tigris River and the Euphrates River run almost parallel to each on a northeast route across the country. Along these rivers is very rich farmland and many important Iraqi cities. Iraq shares international borders with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey and Iran.

Regions

Iraq is currently divided into 18 governorates. Several large geographic regions can be identified, divided along sectarian lines.

• Iraqi Kurdistan in the north of the country is a semi-autonomous region. Also referred to as Southern Kurdistan. It officially consists of 3 governorates; As Sulaymaniyah, Erbil, Dahuk. Other governorates claimed totally or in part by the Kurdistan Regional Government are Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninawa, Salah ad Din and Wasit.
• Central Iraq is the region populated by Sunni muslims.
• Southern Iraq is a largely Shiite region, bordering Saudi Arabia. Proposals have been made to group up to 9 of the southern governorates into a semi-autonomous Shiite Region.

Cities

• Baghdad - The capital
• Kirkuk
• Basra
• Samarra
• Arbil
• Umm Qasr
• Karbala
• Fallujah
• Tikrit
• Mosul
• Nasiriyah

Sights and Activities

Although Iraq might not be the safest (to say the least) destination in the world right now, there are some magnificent cultural places to visit. So hopefully the country will open up within some time again and travellers will find there way to some of the sites on the Unesco World Heritage List. Unfortunately, the latter two are on the endangered list of the Unesco.

Hatra

Hatra is a large fortified city in the central northern parts of the country and was used to be part of the Parthian Empire and capital of the first Arab Kingdom. Hatra has had several invasions by the Romans but thanks to its high, thick walls reinforced by towers, it withstood these with success. The remains of the city, especially the temples where Hellenistic and Roman architecture mixes with some Eastern features, still witnesses the greatness of its civilization. Hatra is on the Unesco World Heritage List.

Ashur

The ancient city of Ashur is located a bit to the west of Hatra, along the Tigris River in northern Mesopotamia. The city dates back about 5000 years and used to be the first capital of the Assyrian Empire from about 3000 tot 3500 years ago. The city-state was an important international trading platform and served as the religious capital of the Assyrians as well (Ashur was the God). After destructions by the Babylonians, Ashur revived again during the Parthian period in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. Ashur is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Samarra

Samarra Archaeological City was an Islamic capital city that ruled over the provinces of the Abbasid Empire extending from Tunisia to Central Asia for a century. Samarra is located on both sides of the Tigris River in the central north of the country and is made out of an area over 40 kilometers long and about 5 or 6 kilometers wide. Architecture and art both developed here and were spread to the other regions of the Islamic world. The Great Mosque dating back to the 9th century and its spiral minaret is one of the most impressive architectural monuments of the site but there is still much (almost 80%) to be discovered and excavated. Samarra is placed on the Unesco World Heritage List.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Iraq has a hot and dry desert climate throughout the year, although winters can be a bit cold, especially at night and more in the north of the country. In the central and southern deserts though, temperatures are still around 20 degrees Celcius during the day but can rise up to almost 50 degrees during the hottest summer days. Even at night, tropical temperatures are normal during the months of June to September and rain is scarce.

Getting there

Plane

Iraqi Airways is the national airline of Iraq. Based at Baghdad International Airport (SDA), offically it has several flights to countries in the region and to London and Frankfurt, but due to instability in the country schedules vary and may change often. Although Basra and Erbil have international airports as well, flights are irregular but should include Frankfurt and Vienna from the latter.

By Land

The central and southern parts of Iraq are off limits to travellers. At least it's not recommended to say the least, though technically it's possible. Borders with Kuwait are closed, though you could enter from the west or east from countries like Jordan, Syria and Iran. Most people enter Iraq from Turkey though, paying a visit to the relatively safe (but certainly not that safe!) northern part of the country, Iraqi Kurdistan. You can also cross borders from Iran but don't count on it because it has not been open always during the last couple of years.

Getting around

By Plane

Iraqi Airways might have flights to several cities within the country, but these are uncertain at the moment. Normally Erbil, Basra, Mosul, Suleimaniya and Baghdad have flights.

By Train

Before the war, but uncertain now, there were trains running from Baghdad both south to Basra as well as north to Mosul. There were also trains to Kirkuk and Arbil. Several sleeping cars as well as restaurants and aircon carriages were even available. At the moment, it is unlikely that all train service still exist.

By Car

At the moment it is advised to drive in convoy, but even more it is advised just not to use any road in Iraq except for the Kurdish region in the north. If you must, rent a car with a driver!

By Bus

Bus services exist throughout the country with the main long distance services being from Baghdad to Basra and Mosul and a number of places in between. Buses, minibuses and shared taxis are more used by travellers in the north visiting the Kurdish region.

By Boat

Although two of the best known rivers in the world, the Euphrates and Tigris, run through Iraq, there are no passenger services. This also applies to the small coastal part in the south that borders the Persian Gulf.

Red Tape

All visitors, except nationals of the Arab League, need a visa when visiting Iraq. These can easily be obtained at the nearest Iraqi embassy or consulate and even at some borders. Of course you have to question yourself whether or not you are going to cross a border into Iraq, but the ones from Turkey are generally the safest and visa can be obtained upon arrival by most nationals.

Money

See also Money Matters

Work

Study

Language

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

See also Travel Health

Safety

See also Travel Safety

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

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