Iraq

Iraq
source
Name	Iraq
Native name	العراق
Capital	Baghdad
Largest city	Baghdad
Official languages	Arabic; Kurdish
Area km2	438317
Population estimate	43,000,000
Currency	Iraqi dinar
Government type	Federal parliamentary republic

Iraq is a country in Western Asia centered on the Mesopotamia region, bounded by the Persian Gulf, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Its modern state formation followed the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of mandates after the World War I peace settlements. Baghdad, a historic capital of caliphates and empires, remains the political and cultural heart of the country.

Etymology and name

The name derives from historical toponyms such as Al-Jazira and the ancient region of Sumer, with medieval references like al-ʿIrāq al-ʿArabī. Early Islamic-era texts mention Iraq al-Arab and Iraq al-Ajam as geographical distinctions. European maps from the Age of Discovery and diplomatic correspondence in the era of the League of Nations standardized the modern exonym.

History

The territory encompasses core sites of Ancient Near East civilizations including Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria. The Code of Hammurabi and the ziggurats at Ur and Nineveh reflect early statecraft and religion. Conquests by the Achaemenid Empire, Alexander the Great, and the Seleucid Empire reshaped the region before incorporation into the Sasanian Empire and later the Rashidun Caliphate. The medieval period saw Baghdad as capital of the Abbasid Caliphate and center of the Islamic Golden Age, with institutions like the House of Wisdom fostering scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi and Al-Razi.

Ottoman administration lasted until World War I and the Sykes–Picot Agreement and Treaty of Sèvres era; British mandate administration under the League of Nations led to the 1921 formation of the Kingdom of Iraq under the Hashemite monarchy. The Iraqi Republic emerged after the 1958 coup d'état and subsequent Ba'athist rule culminated with Saddam Hussein’s presidency. The 1980–1988 Iran–Iraq War and the 1990 Invasion of Kuwait followed by Gulf War (1990–1991) and UN sanctions dramatically affected the country. The 2003 Invasion of Iraq by a US-led coalition toppled Ba'athist rule, leading to occupation, the Iraqi insurgency (2003–2011), and the rise and territorial control of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant that provoked multinational operations including Operation Inherent Resolve. Recent years have involved the Iraqi parliamentary election, 2005, efforts at reconstruction with institutions such as the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, and engagement with regional actors like Iran and Turkey.

Geography and environment

The alluvial plains of Mesopotamia lie between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, flowing from Turkey through marshes near Basra into the Persian Gulf. Northern highlands include the Zagros Mountains and regions such as Kurdistan Region with cities like Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. Western expanses comprise the Syrian Desert and borders with Syria and Jordan, while southern marshlands host rewilding initiatives influenced by agreements like the Marsh Arab restoration projects. Environmental challenges include water disputes involving the Ganges–Brahmaputra-unrelated but analogous transboundary management debates with Turkey and Iran, desertification near the Anbar province, oil-related pollution in Basra, and heritage site threats at locations like Hatra and Ashur.

Government and politics

The federal system established by the Iraqi Constitution (2005) created a Council of Representatives and positions including the Prime Minister of Iraq and the President of Iraq. Political competition involves blocs such as the State of Law Coalition, United Iraqi Alliance, and regional entities such as the Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. Security responsibilities involve the Iraqi Armed Forces, the Popular Mobilization Forces, and international partners including the Multinational force in Iraq and the International Coalition Against Daesh. Key legal and institutional actors include the Supreme Court of Iraq and the Federal Supreme Court, while anti-corruption efforts have engaged bodies like the Integrity Commission and international monitors from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

Economy

Hydrocarbon resources discovered since the early 20th century underpin the economy; major fields include West Qurna Oil Field and Kirkuk oilfield, and exports transit via terminals around Basra. The Iraq National Oil Company and international firms such as BP, ExxonMobil, Shell, TotalEnergies, and Lukoil have been involved in development contracts. Reconstruction financing has involved the World Bank and International Monetary Fund programs. Agricultural zones in Nineveh and Diyala produce dates, wheat, and barley; industrial activity includes refining infrastructure at facilities like Baiji refinery. Economic constraints arise from fluctuating oil prices, UN sanctions legacy, and security-related disruptions noted during events such as the 2003 invasion of Iraq and Iraqi insurgency (2011–2017).

Demographics and society

Population centers include Baghdad, Mosul, Basra, and Kirkuk. Major ethno-religious communities comprise Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Assyrians, and smaller groups such as the Mandaeans and Yazidis. Religious affiliations include Shia Islam majorities in southern provinces and Sunni Islam communities in central and western provinces; Christian populations relate to denominations such as the Chaldean Catholic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, and Syriac Orthodox Church. Displacement crises followed conflicts like the Iraqi civil war (2006–2008) and the Sinjar massacre, prompting responses from organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and UNHCR. Urbanization, youth demographics, and migration patterns have been shaped by events including the 2014 Northern Iraq offensive and the 21st-century reconstruction era.

Culture and heritage

The country’s cultural legacy spans antiquity to modernity: archaeological sites include Uruk, Nimrud, and Tell Brak; literary traditions connect to figures like Al-Mutanabbi and Ibn al-Haytham; musical forms tie to maqam traditions preserved in cities such as Baghdad and Basra. Museums such as the Iraq Museum in Baghdad and international restitution debates involve artifacts seized during the 2003 looting of the Iraq Museum. Architectural heritage includes Abbasid-era ruins and Ottoman-era bazaars, while contemporary arts engage filmmakers like Mohammad Shukri-adjacent cultural movements and writers represented in translations appearing in venues like Beirut and London publishers. Festivals and cuisine feature items like tashreeb-style dishes, date cultivation cultural practices in Basra and Najaf pilgrimage sites associated with figures such as Imam Ali and Imam Hussein attract millions during observances tied to Karbala and the Arba'een pilgrimage, connecting religious tourism to heritage conservation efforts through partnerships with organizations like UNESCO.

Category:Countries of Asia