Administrative divisions of Iraq facts for kids

Iraq is a country located in the Middle East. Like many countries, Iraq is divided into smaller areas. These divisions help the government manage the country. They make sure different parts of Iraq get the services they need.

How Iraq is Organized

Iraq's main divisions are called governorates. There are 18 of these governorates. Think of them like states or provinces in other countries. Before 1976, these areas were known by a different name: liwas.

Forming Regions

The Constitution of Iraq, which is like the country's rulebook, was adopted in 2005. It says that one or more governorates can choose to form a Region. These Regions have special rights. For example, they get a share of the money from oil sales. This helps them fund their own local projects.

From Old Empires to Modern Iraq

Modern Iraq largely covers areas that were once part of the Ottoman Empire. This was a very large empire that existed a long time ago. The Ottoman Empire had its own provinces, called vilayets. These included areas like Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul. Today's governorates often follow the borders of these old vilayets.

Smaller Divisions: Districts

Each governorate in Iraq is further divided into smaller parts. These smaller areas are called districts. This helps organize the country even more. It makes it easier to manage local services for people living in different towns and cities.

See also

In Spanish: Organización territorial de Irak para niños

• Regions of Iraq
• Governorates of Iraq
• Districts of Iraq
• Subdistricts of Iraq
• List of postal codes in Iraq