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About Iraq

The Republic of Iraq is situated in Western Asia. The lands that now constitute Iraq were known in ancient times as Mesopotamia (the land between rivers). That land gave rise to some of the world's earliest civilizations like Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria. The two major rivers of Iraq are river Tigris and river Euphrates. Its capital and largest city is Baghdad. Iraqi land is very rich hence, the literal meaning of "Iraq" is "deeply rooted, well watered; fertile".

Iraq has a hot, dry climate characterized by long, hot summers and short cool winters. It is best to wear modest clothing covering the upper arms, legs, shoulders, and cleavage. Winters are mild with some rain in central and southern Iraq, but cold in the north.

Iraq is 70% Mesopotamian Arab, 15% Kurds, and 5% Assyrian. It is an Islamic country. Its official languages are Arabic and Kurdish. Weekends in Iraq are Friday and Saturday as opposed to Saturday and Sunday in the west. Iraqis are a generally religious and conservative people. Men usually hold hands and kiss in greeting in the country but this is not the case for men and women.

Most Iraqi dishes are served with rice (mostly basmati) and chicken or lamb. Tomato, onion, potato, garlic, peppers, chili are common vegetables that feature in Iraqi cuisine. Fruits like dates, raisins, apricots, figs, grapes, melon, lemon, and lime are also commonplace in Iraqi cuisine.

There are quite a number of fascinating locations in Iraq. A few of them are:
  • Karbala: Karbala is the spiritual home of the Shi'ia Muslims, a 100 km south of Baghdad. The monuments in this impressive mosque are some of the finest in the Islamic world. The mosque also houses to shrine of Hussein. 
  • The Iraq National Museum: The Iraq National Museum was finally reopened in 2015 after being closed for 12 years. The wealth of historical artefacts this Museum houses brings the ancient world of Babylon to life.
  • The Ruins of Babylon: The historical site of Babylon and its legendary Hanging Gardens is located about an hour south of Baghdad. You may visit the ruins of Babylon here, a religious and political centre of great renown in ancient times.
  • The Kurdish Mountains: The Kurdish Mountains are cool and beautiful places to escape the heat of the summer. You may even choose to go skiing here.

There are several fascinating facts about Iraq such as the fact that "reading of fortunes in the constellations" and "the fear of black cats" were all invented in Iraq as per archaeologist Leonard Woolley. Also, Iraq banned karate movies in 1979.
There are hundreds of hotels in Iraq ranging from budget to luxury ensuring that visitors get appropriate accommodation.

Facts about Iraq

Capital:

Baghdad

Languages Spoken:

Arabic,Kurdish

Demonym:

Iraqi

Currency Name:

Iraqi dinar

Currency Code:

IQD

Currency Symbol:

ع.د

How do I travel out of Iraq?

Get Visa from Iraq

For Iraqis looking to travel out of the country. You can check out the list of destinations, how to Get Iraq visa to those countries, Embassies in Iraq and Visa Free Countries for Iraqi passport holders

Common Questions Travellers Ask About Iraq

Q: Is Iraq safe to visit?


A: Iraq is not an entirely safe or stable country. Areas like Basra, Najaf, Karbala, and the majority of Kurdistan are safe. Areas like Mosul, Al Qaim, Hawijah are unsafe.

Q: Can I drink the tap water in Iraq?


A: No, the tap water is unsafe for drinking. You must boil or otherwise sterilize the water before you can drink it or brush your teeth with it.

Q: Do I need vaccinations for Iraq?


A: Hepatitis A, Diphtheria, Yellow fever, Tetanus, and Typhoid vaccinations are recommended.

Q: What is Iraq's official unit of currency?


A: Iraq's official unit of currency is the Iraqi dinar.

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