Iraq Facts
Thinking of travelling to Iraq? Here are some Iraq facts to get you started!
Positioned in the Middle East, Iraq shares mutual borders with Kuwait, Turkey, Syria, Iran and Saudi Arabia. The country's eventful past includes UK dependency, authoritative rule and dictatorship. Mildly cold in the winter and blazingly hot in the summer, the weather predisposes to light clothing and heat strokes. This is a country that makes you appreciate the shade.
Iraq enjoys a rich heritage and abundant natural resources. A sophisticated irrigation system, the earliest writings, a full syllabic alphabet and a numeral 60-based math system all impress visitors. That last bit is where we get our current form of keeping time (60 minutes to the hour, etc).
Holy cities abound in Iraq because the capital Baghdad was formerly the center of the Muslim world. The city to which all roads lead, Baghdad, means "Founded by God" and is the birthplace of modern Mathematics, which is reflected in its perfect geometrical shape. Centrally located, Baghdad offers its visitors accommodation and restaurants so it can function as a "base", while Mosul offers some infrastructure.
Retail markets flourish here, called Bazaars, where bargaining is a way of showing respect to the merchant. Ctesiphon near Baghdad offers a highly preserved great banqueting hall in the Palace of Sapor - an architectural marvel.
Babylon, a truly famous ancient city, hosts many relics such as the Ishtar gate and the Babylonian lion. The Babylonian tower's remains tell of a magnificent structure in blue decorated with flowers. Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians left traces of their civilizations like the unbelievable Hanging Gardens.
At the time of this writing, there are still security concerns in Baghdad and some southern areas of Iraq. The Northern Kurdish areas are almost a country of their own, and has plenty to keep the traveler busy. If the southern areas overly concern you, the Kurdish areas of Iraq may be more your type of place. As always, a little research goes a long way.
Quick Info:
Capital: Baghdad
Language(s): Arabic, Kurdish
Religion(s): Islam
Currency: Iraqi dinar (IQD)
Electricity Voltage: 230V
Calling Code: 964
Popular Travel Destinations:
- Baghdad--National museum
- Arch of Ctesiphon
- Kadhimain mosque
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*Note* - Some of the graphics on this page were taken from the CIA World Factbook which contains a wealth of information on every country in the world. I highly recommend it.