Iraq is a country located in the Middle East, bordering Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Kuwait to the southeast, Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the southwest, and Syria to the west. It is the world's 58th largest country in terms of land area and has a diverse population of over 40 million people.

The capital of Iraq is Baghdad, which is also its largest city. Iraq has a rich history and culture, with important archaeological sites such as the ancient city of Babylon, the ruins of Nineveh, and the famous ziggurat of Ur.

Iraq has a mostly arid and semi-arid climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow through Iraq, providing water for irrigation and serving as important transportation routes.

The official language of Iraq is Arabic, although Kurdish and other minority languages are also spoken. The majority of the population is Muslim, with Shia Muslims comprising the largest group, followed by Sunni Muslims. Iraq also has significant Christian and Yazidi communities.

Iraq has faced numerous challenges in recent decades, including political instability, economic struggles, and ongoing conflict. However, the country is working to rebuild and develop its infrastructure and economy, with efforts focused on areas such as oil production, agriculture, and tourism.

Telephone Code
964

Local Emergency Phone
Local numbers only

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq

Currency (Code)
Iraqi dinars (IQD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, D, G

Major Languages
Arabic, Kurdish, Turkmen, Syriac, and Armenian are official in areas where native speakers of these languages constitute a majority of the population

Major Religions
Muslim 95-98% (Shia 64-69%, Sunni 29-34%), Christian 1%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
required

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Erbil; Ziggurat of Ur; Iraq Museum (Baghdad); Basra; Karbala; Hatra; Samarra Archaeological City; Babylon

Major Sports
Soccer, basketball, kickboxing, wrestling

Cultural Practices
If meals are served on the floor, sit cross legged or kneel. It is impolite to let your food touch the floor.

Tipping Guidelines
If no service charge is included in the bill, a 10-15% tip is appropriate in nicer restaurants.

Souvenirs
Copperware, hand-woven carpets and rugs, silver, spices, teas, coffees, calligraphic paintings, woven baskets, musical instruments

Traditional Cuisine
Masgouf — seasoned grilled carp

Geography
Area
total: 438,317 sq km
land: 437,367 sq km
water: 950 sq km

Climate
mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq

Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur

People and Society
Population
41,266,109 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Arab 75-80%, Kurdish 15-20%, other 5% (includes Turkmen, Yezidi, Shabak, Kaka'i, Bedouin, Romani, Assyrian, Circassian, Sabaean-Mandaean, Persian)

Languages
Arabic (official), Kurdish (official), Turkmen (a Turkish dialect), Syriac (Neo-Aramaic), and Armenian are official in areas where native speakers of these languages constitute a majority of the population

Religions
Muslim (official) 95-98% (Shia 61-64%, Sunni 29-34%), Christian 1% (includes Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Assyrian Church of the East), other 1-4% (2015 est.)

Population growth rate
1.94% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
federal parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Baghdad

Economy
Economic overview
oil-dependent Middle Eastern economy; COVID-19 disruption and domestic economy fragility post-US presence; poverty increases; currency devaluation leading to inflation; import-dependent for most sectors; evaluating fiscal and monetary restructuring

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$390.165 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$9,000 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
wheat, barley, dates, tomatoes, rice, maize, grapes, potatoes, rice, watermelons

Industries
petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing

Exports
$78.261 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
China 26%, India 24%, South Korea 9%, United States 8%, Italy 6%, Greece 6% (2019)

Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, gold, dates, petroleum coke (2019)

Imports
$50.707 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
United Arab Emirates 28%, Turkey 21%, China 19% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, jewelry, cigarettes (2019)