Iraq facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Republic of Iraq
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 Coat of arms
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Anthem: مَوْطِنِيْ
Mawṭinī "My Homeland" |
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| Capital and largest city
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Baghdad 33°20′N 44°23′E / 33.333°N 44.383°E |
| Official languages | |
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| Ethnic groups
(1987)
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| Religion | Islam (official) |
| Demonym(s) | Iraqi |
| Government | Federal parliamentary republic |
| Abdul Latif Rashid | |
| Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani | |
| Legislature | Council of Representatives |
| Federation Council (not yet convened) | |
| Council of Representatives | |
| Independence
from the United Kingdom
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• Independence declared
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3 October 1932 |
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• Republic declared
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14 July 1958 |
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• Current constitution
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15 October 2005 |
| Area | |
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• Total
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438,317 km2 (169,235 sq mi) (58th) |
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• Water (%)
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4.93 (as of 2024) |
| Population | |
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• 2024 estimate
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 46,523,657 (35th) |
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• Density
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82.7/km2 (214.2/sq mi) (125th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
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• Total
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 $508.973 billion (48th) |
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• Per capita
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$11,742 (56th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
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• Total
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$254.993 billion (47th) |
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• Per capita
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$5,882 (111th) |
| Gini (2012) | 29.5 low |
| HDI (2022) | 0.673 medium · 128th |
| Currency | Iraqi dinar (IQD) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (AST) |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +964 |
| ISO 3166 code | IQ |
| Internet TLD |
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Iraq, officially known as the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is a very important country in the Middle East. More than 46 million people live there, making it the 35th most populated country in the world. Iraq has 18 different areas called governorates. It shares borders with Turkey to the north, Saudi Arabia to the south, Iran to the east, the Persian Gulf and Kuwait to the southeast, Jordan to the southwest, and Syria to the west.
The capital and largest city is Baghdad. People in Iraq come from many different backgrounds, including Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Yazidis, and Assyrians. Most Iraqis follow Islam, but there are also groups who follow Christianity, Yazidism, and other faiths. The official languages are Arabic and Kurdish. Other languages like Turkish, Assyrian, and Armenian are also recognized in some areas.
Iraq is a federal parliamentary republic, which means people vote for their leaders, and the country has a central government that shares power with local regions. It is seen as a growing power in the world. Iraq is a founding member of the United Nations and OPEC (an organization for oil-producing countries). It also belongs to the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the International Monetary Fund. Iraq has some of the world's largest oil reserves and is a major center for the oil and gas industry. The country is working hard to rebuild after past conflicts with help from other countries.
Contents
About the Name of Iraq
There are a few ideas about where the name "Iraq" comes from. One idea is that it comes from the ancient Sumerian city of Uruk. Another idea is that it comes from an old Persian word, erāq, which means "lowlands." Some people also think it means "deeply rooted" or "fertile" in Arabic.
In the past, during the Middle Ages, there were two regions: ʿIrāq ʿArabī (Arabian Iraq) for the southern part of Mesopotamia, and ʿIrāq ʿAjamī for a region in what is now Iran. The name "Iraq" used to refer mainly to the plain south of the Hamrin Mountains.
When the British helped set up the Kingdom of Iraq in 1921, the country's official English name changed from Mesopotamia to Iraq. Since 1992, the official name has been the "Republic of Iraq." This was confirmed again in the 2005 Constitution.
Iraq's Long History
Iraq has a very long and rich history. As early as 6,000 BC, the fertile lands between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, known as Mesopotamia, became home to some of the world's first cities and civilizations. This area is often called the "Cradle of Civilisation" because many important inventions happened here. These include a writing system, mathematics, ways to keep time, a calendar, astrology, and early law codes.
After the Muslim conquest, Baghdad became the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate. During the Islamic Golden Age, Baghdad grew into a major center for culture and learning, famous for its schools like the House of Wisdom. However, the city was largely destroyed in 1258 by the Mongol Empire. This led to a long period of decline for Iraq.
Iraq was under Ottoman rule until the end of World War I. After that, the British Empire set up Mandatory Iraq, which was led by King Faisal I. Iraq became an independent country in 1932, known as the Kingdom of Iraq. It became a republic in 1958. Later, the Iraqi Ba'ath Party took power in 1968, with Saddam Hussein leading from 1968 to 2003. During his time, Iraq had major wars.
In the 21st century, Iraq has faced new challenges, especially after the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the Iraq War, which led to Saddam's removal. The country has been working to rebuild itself. Today, there are still some smaller conflicts, but Iraq is trying to become more stable.
Geography of Iraq
Iraq is located between 29° and 38° North latitude, and 39° and 49° East longitude. It covers about 437,072 square kilometers, making it the 58th largest country in the world.
Iraq has a short coastline of 58 kilometers on the northern Persian Gulf. The country is mostly made up of the Mesopotamian Alluvial Plain. Two big rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, flow south through Iraq and join to form the Shatt al-Arab, which then flows into the Persian Gulf. These rivers bring a lot of silt each year, making the plains very fertile.
Near the Persian Gulf, there are marshlands and some farming areas. The central part of southern Iraq has natural marsh vegetation mixed with rice fields and is quite humid. Iraq also has the northwestern part of the Zagros Mountains and the eastern part of the Syrian Desert. About 40 percent of Iraq is rocky desert. Another 30 percent is mountainous, with very cold winters. The highest point in Iraq is Cheekha Dar, which is 3,611 meters high.
Iraq's Climate
Most of Iraq has a hot, dry climate. Summers are very hot, with temperatures often going above 40°C and sometimes even over 48°C. Winters are milder, usually not going above 15°C during the day and dropping to 1°C to 5°C at night. Most places get less than 250 millimeters of rain each year, with most of it falling in winter. Summer rain is rare, except in the northern mountains.
The northern mountainous regions have cold winters with heavy snow, which can sometimes cause big floods. Iraq is greatly affected by climate change. The country is getting hotter and receiving less rain, leading to water shortages. This is a big problem because Iraq's population has grown a lot.
The country's electricity system also struggles because of climate change, fuel shortages, and more demand. Corruption is a problem in the government, and the political system has made some conflicts worse. Droughts are common, and water reserves are quickly running out. Since 2020, Iraq has been in a long drought. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers have 30 to 40% less water flow. Almost half of Iraq's farmland is at risk of turning into desert.
However, in 2023, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced a plan to fight climate change. This plan includes using clean and renewable energy, new irrigation and water treatment projects, and reducing industrial gas pollution. Iraq also plans to plant 5 million trees and create green areas around cities to help against dust storms. In the same year, Iraq and TotalEnergies signed a big energy deal to increase oil production and boost energy from oil, gas, and renewable sources. This project is expected to help Iraq become more energy independent and meet its climate goals.
Wildlife and Nature
The wildlife in Iraq includes many different plants and animals and their natural homes. Iraq has various types of environments, from mountains in the north to wet marshlands along the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. The western part of the country is mostly desert or semi-dry areas.
Many of Iraq's bird and mammal species are endangered. The Mesopotamian Marshes in the middle and south are home to about 50 bird species and rare fish. These marshes are important for many birds, including the marbled teal and Basra reed-warbler.
The Asiatic lion, which no longer lives in the region, has always been an important symbol of Iraq. When the Mesopotamian Marshes were drained in the past, many animals and plants were lost. But since 2003, water flow has been restored, and the ecosystem is starting to recover. Iraqi corals can handle very hot seawater, which ranges between 14 and 34°C. Major lakes like Lake Habbaniyah, Lake Milh, Lake Qadisiyah, and Lake Tharthar are home to many water-loving animals.
Government and Politics
Iraq's government is a democratic, federal parliamentary republic, as set out in its Constitution. The federal government has three main parts: the executive (like the President and Prime Minister), the legislative (which makes laws), and the judicial (which interprets laws). There are also many independent groups that help run the country.
Besides the federal government, there are regions, governorates, and districts that handle local matters. The president is the head of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. There are two main groups that discuss laws: the Council of Representatives and the Council of Union. The courts are separate from the government and make their own decisions.
The National Alliance is a big group of Shia politicians in parliament. The Iraqi National Movement is another political group that tries to unite people from different backgrounds. The Kurdistan List is mainly made up of two Kurdish parties. Baghdad is Iraq's capital and where the government is located. The Green Zone in Baghdad holds government buildings, the army headquarters, and foreign embassies.
In 2023, Iraq was considered one of the most democratic countries in the Middle East for elections. However, it was also ranked as one of the most politically unstable countries. Transparency International says that Iraq's government has a high level of corruption. The government has a large number of employees, which, combined with lower oil prices, has led to a budget deficit. In 2017, there was a vote for Kurdish independence in Iraq, with 92% of Iraqi Kurds voting for it. However, the federal government said this vote was illegal. The Kurdistan Regional Government has since agreed to respect the court's decision that no province can leave Iraq.
Administrative Divisions
Iraq is divided into eighteen governorates, which are like provinces. These governorates are then split into smaller districts, and then into even smaller sub-districts. There is also a nineteenth governorate, Halabja Governorate, but it is not officially recognized by the Iraqi government.
- Dohuk
- Nineveh
- Erbil
- Kirkuk
- Sulaymaniyah
- Saladin
- Al Anbar
- Baghdad
- Diyala
- Karbala
- Babylon
- Wasit
- Najaf
- Al-Qādisiyyah
- Maysan
- Muthanna
- Dhi Qar
- Basra
- Halabja
Economy of Iraq
Iraq's economy mostly depends on oil. Oil sales usually make up about 95% of the money Iraq earns from other countries. Because other parts of the economy haven't grown as much, many people are unemployed. In 2011, almost 60% of full-time jobs were in the government. The oil industry, while very important, doesn't create many jobs. Only a small number of women work outside the home.
Before 2003, Iraq's economy was controlled by the government. Foreign companies couldn't own Iraqi businesses, and most big industries were owned by the state. There were also high taxes on foreign goods to keep them out. In the 1970s, Iraq was one of the most developed countries. After the 2003 invasion, the government started to allow foreign companies to invest in Iraq. In 2004, many countries agreed to cancel 80% of Iraq's debt, which was a huge help. The official money in Iraq is the Iraqi dinar.
Five years after the invasion, many people were displaced from their homes. Millions of Iraqis didn't have enough food, and many children were malnourished. Only a third of Iraqi children had access to safe drinking water. In 2022, Iraq finished paying $52.4 billion in war payments to Kuwait, which were set up after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
Tourism in Iraq
Iraq used to be a popular place for tourists, but this changed a lot during past conflicts. As Iraq becomes more stable, tourism is still facing challenges. The government hasn't done much to help tourism grow, even though Iraq has huge potential as a global tourist spot. This is mainly because of ongoing conflicts.
Iraq has many ancient sites. Babylon has been greatly restored and is famous for its Ziggurat (which inspired the Tower of Babel), the Hanging Gardens of Babylon (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), and the Ishtar Gate. This makes it a top place to visit.
Nineveh, another ancient city, has also been restored. Ur, one of the first Sumerian cities, has been partly restored. These are just a few examples of Iraq's amazing ancient and historical places. Iraq also has potential for ecotourism, which is tourism focused on nature. Many people also visit holy Shia Islamic sites near Karbala and Najaf. Since 2003, these cities have seen a lot of economic growth because of religious tourism. The Mosul Museum is the second largest museum in Iraq and holds ancient Mesopotamian artifacts.
Saddam Hussein built many palaces and monuments across the country. Some of these, like Al-Faw Palace, are now open to tourists. The government is thinking about selling them for other uses. Many of these buildings were built after the 1991 Gulf War, when Iraq was under international restrictions. Saddam Hussein even rebuilt parts of Babylon, putting his name on the bricks to connect himself to Iraq's ancient glory.
Transportation in Iraq
Iraq has a modern system of highways, covering about 45,550 kilometers. These roads also connect Iraq to neighboring countries like Iran, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. There are over seven million passenger cars and many commercial taxis, buses, and trucks. On major highways, the speed limit is 110 kilometers per hour.
As of 2012, Iraq had about 104 airports. Major airports include Baghdad International Airport, Basra International Airport, Erbil International Airport, Kirkuk International Airport, Sulaimaniyah International Airport, and Najaf International Airport. The government is building a new international airport for Karbala and has suggested one in Nasiriyah with help from China.
Oil and Energy
Iraq has about 143.1 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, ranking third in the world after Venezuela and Saudi Arabia. In December 2012, Iraq was producing 3.4 million barrels of oil per day. Only about 2,000 oil wells have been drilled in Iraq, which is very few compared to other oil-producing regions. Iraq was one of the first members of OPEC.
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In the 1970s, Iraq produced up to 3.5 million barrels of oil per day. However, restrictions placed on Iraq after its invasion of Kuwait in 1990 severely damaged the oil industry. Oil production dropped by 85% after the First Gulf War. These restrictions were lifted in 2003, but conflicts have made it hard to develop Iraq's oil resources. Even with improved security and billions of dollars from oil, Iraq still doesn't produce enough electricity for its people.
In 2009, Iraq's oil ministry signed deals with international oil companies to develop some of Iraq's large oil fields, including the "super-giant" Majnoon oil field and Rumaila Field. In 2014, Iraq's oil output increased to 3.6 million barrels a day, the highest since 1979. Oil makes up about 99% of Iraq's income. As of 2021, the oil sector provided about 92% of the money Iraq earns from other countries.
Water Supply and Sanitation
Many years of conflict have damaged Iraq's water systems in several major cities. This has led to problems with water supply and sanitation, meaning poor water quality and services. While there are large lakes, like Mosul Dam Lake, that help with water supply, much water is wasted during treatment because of old equipment.
About 91% of the population has access to safe drinking water. In rural areas, 77% of people have access to improved drinking water sources, while in urban areas, it's 98%.
Infrastructure Development
Even though many building projects had started, Iraq faced a housing crisis at the end of 2013. The country needed to build 2.5 million homes by 2016 to meet demand, but only 5% were expected to be finished. In 2013, a South Korean company agreed to build Bismayah New City, which would have about 600,000 residents in 100,000 homes.
In December 2020, the Prime Minister launched the second phase of the Grand Faw Port project, costing $2.7 billion. In late 2023, the Iraqi government announced plans to build 15 new cities across the country to solve the housing problem. The first five new cities will be in Baghdad, Babylon, Nineveh, Anbar, and Karbala. Another 10 new cities will be built in other governorates. The first phase of this plan began in late 2023 with the Al-Jawahiri city project in west Baghdad, which will have 30,000 homes and cost $2 billion. It is expected to be finished in four to five years. The government says it is not funding these projects.
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In early 2024, Iraq signed a contract for the new Ali El-Wardi residential city project, which will be the largest among the first five new cities. Located east of Baghdad, this city will offer over 100,000 homes. It will be the first city in Iraq to have advanced technology for smart cities and will meet high sustainability standards. The goal is to build 250,000 to 300,000 homes for poor and middle-class families. These new cities will also include universities, shopping centers, schools, and health centers.
In 2024, during a visit by the Turkish President, Iraq, Türkiye, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates signed an agreement to work together on the Iraq Development Road project. This 1,200-kilometer project will include railways and highways connecting the Grand Faw Port (which aims to be the largest port in the Middle East) to the Turkish border. It is expected to cost $17 billion and be completed by 2025. Iraqi officials believe this project will greatly improve Iraq's position in the region.
People of Iraq
The total population of Iraq is estimated to be over 46 million people. In 1878, Iraq's population was about 2 million, but by 2013, it reached 35 million due to a population boom after conflicts. Iraq's population is mostly Arab, but it also includes other groups like Kurds, Turkmens, Assyrians, Yazidis, and Shabaks.
Cities and Towns
Iraq has many important cities and towns. The largest city is Baghdad, which is also the capital. Other major cities include Mosul, Basra, and Erbil.
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Largest cities or towns in Iraq
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| Rank | Name | Pop. |
| 1 | Baghdad | 6,719,477 |
| 2 | Mosul | 1,361,819 |
| 3 | Basra | 1,340,827 |
| 4 | Erbil | 1,550,071 |
| 5 | Kirkuk | 972,272 |
| 6 | Najaf | 747,261 |
| 7 | Karbala | 711,530 |
| 8 | Sulaymaniyah | 676,492 |
| 9 | Nasiriyah | 558,446 |
| 10 | Amarah | 527,472 |
Ethnic Groups
Iraq's population is mainly Arab, but it also includes many other ethnic groups. These include Kurds, Turkmens, Assyrians, Yazidis, Shabaks, Armenians, Mandaeans, Circassians, and Kawliya.
In 2015, a report suggested that Iraq had about 24 million Arabs (mostly Shia and Sunni), 4.7 million Sunni Kurds, 3 million (mostly Sunni) Iraqi Turkmens, 1 million Black Iraqis, 500,000 Christians (including Assyrians and Armenians), 500,000 Yazidis, and smaller numbers of other groups.
According to the CIA World Factbook, based on a 1987 estimate, 75–80% of Iraq's population are Arabs, and 15–20% are Kurds. Other minorities make up 5% of the population. However, some experts say that older census numbers might not be accurate because people were only allowed to identify as Arab or Kurdish.
Languages Spoken
The main languages spoken in Iraq are Mesopotamian Arabic and Kurdish. Other languages include the Iraqi Turkmen/Turkoman dialect of Turkish, and Neo-Aramaic languages (like Chaldean and Assyrian). Arabic and Kurdish are written using versions of the Arabic script. Since 2005, Turkmen has switched to the Turkish alphabet. Neo-Aramaic languages use the Syriac script. Smaller minority languages include Mandaic, Shabaki, Armenian, Circassian, and Persian.
Before 2003, Arabic was the only official language. Since the new Constitution of Iraq was approved in 2005, both Arabic and Kurdish are official languages. Three other languages—Turkmen, Syriac, and Armenian—are also recognized as minority languages. Any region or province can also make other languages official if most people agree.
The Constitution of Iraq states that Iraqis have the right to educate their children in their mother tongue, such as Turkmen, Syriac, and Armenian, in government schools. They can also learn in any other language in private schools.
Religions in Iraq
Most people in Iraq follow Abrahamic religions. The CIA World Factbook estimated in 2015 that between 95% and 98% of Iraqis are Muslims. Of these, 61–64% are Shia Muslims, and 29–34% are Sunni Muslims. About 1% of the population follows Christianity, and the rest (1-4%) practice Yazidism, Mandaeism, and other religions.
Iraq is also home to two of the holiest places for Shia Muslims: Najaf and Karbala.
Education System
Before facing economic challenges and conflicts, Iraq had a very good education system. However, its educational success has declined since then. Even though Saddam Hussein was a strict leader, his government did make Iraq a leading center for higher education.
Since the early 2000s, education in Iraq has shown some improvement. The number of students almost doubled from 2000 to 2012, reaching six million. By 2015–2016, about 9.2 million children were going to school, with a steady increase each year.
However, the fast increase in primary school students has put a lot of pressure on the system. Education only gets a small part of government spending, leading to a lack of investment in schools and poor educational rankings. UNICEF found that money has been wasted, causing more students to drop out or repeat grades. Dropout rates are between 1.5% and 2.5%, with more girls affected due to economic or family reasons. Repetition rates have reached almost 17%.
Access to education varies across different areas in Iraq. In conflict areas, many school-aged children are not in school because schools have been used as shelters or military bases. Limited resources also make it hard to get an education. However, efforts have been made to reopen closed schools, and in Mosul, over 380,000 children are back in school.
There are also differences in school enrollment between boys and girls. In 2013–2014, about five million boys were enrolled, while 4.2 million girls were. About 11% of girls were out of school, which was more than boys. However, girls' enrollment has been increasing faster, especially in central Iraq. This shows progress towards getting all children into school.
Despite more students enrolling, many children, especially those displaced by conflicts, are still not in school. About 355,000 displaced children in Iraq are not getting an education. The education system is under strain, and UNICEF says more money is needed to improve the quality of education. Challenges include not enough school buildings, a shortage of teachers, and a lack of standard lessons, textbooks, and technology. The growing number of students also puts pressure on teachers. Libraries are important for reading but need to be better organized within the education system.
Culture of Iraq
Iraq has a very old and deep culture that goes back to ancient Mesopotamian times. Iraq has one of the longest traditions of written history in the world, including in architecture, literature, music, dance, painting, weaving, pottery, calligraphy, and metalworking. The culture of Iraq is one of the world's oldest and has influenced many other cultures.
The legacy of Mesopotamia influenced civilizations around the world by inventing the writing system, mathematics, ways to measure time, the calendar, astrology, and early law codes. Iraq is home to many different ethnic groups, and each has added to the country's long and rich heritage. Iraq is known for its poets, architects, painters, and sculptors, who are among the best in the region. The country is also known for making beautiful handicrafts, like rugs and carpets.
Art in Iraq
There were many connected art traditions in ancient Iraq. The Abbasid Dynasty, which ruled from 750 to 945, developed its art mainly in Mesopotamia. Abbasid art was influenced by Mesopotamian art and later by Persian and Central Asian styles. Between the 8th and 13th centuries, during the Abbasid period, pottery became very detailed. Calligraphy (beautiful writing) was used to decorate objects and books. Illustrated manuscripts, especially Q'ranic texts, became more complex. Iraq's first art school was started during this time, helping artists and craftspeople to thrive.
At the peak of the Abbasid period, in the late 12th century, a new style of illustrating manuscripts and calligraphy appeared. This style, known as the Baghdad School, showed everyday life and used very expressive faces instead of typical characters.
Architecture in Iraq
The architecture of Iraq has a long history, covering many different cultures from 10,000 BC. It includes both Mesopotamian and Abbasid architecture. Famous modern architects from Iraq include Zaha Hadid, Basil Bayati, and Rifat Chadirji.
Important cultural places in Baghdad include the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra. The National Theatre of Iraq was damaged in 2003, but efforts are being made to restore it. Live theater became more popular in the 1990s when it was hard to get foreign films. Many cinemas were turned into stages for plays.
Baghdad also has several museums, including the National Museum of Iraq. This museum holds the world's largest collection of items from ancient Iraqi civilizations. Some of these items were stolen in 2003, but in 2021, Iraq announced that it had gotten back about 17,000 looted artifacts, which was a huge success.
The ancient city of Ninus, or Nineveh, was taken by the Medes. It remained buried until 1845, when its ruins were discovered. The main remains are from Khorsabad, Nimroud, and Kouyunjik (likely ancient Nineveh). These cities have parts of large buildings that seem to have been palace-temples. They were mostly built from sun-dried bricks.
Literature in Iraq
Literature in Iraq is often called "Mesopotamian literature" because many civilizations grew there. It is also sometimes called Babylonian literature, referring to the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Sumerian literature was special because its language is not related to any other known language. It started with symbols and later developed into cuneiform writing on clay tablets.
Early literature was mostly about myths and epic stories. These stories dealt with creation, the gods, descriptions of heaven, and the lives of heroes in wars. They also included religious teachings, moral advice, astrology, laws, and history. One famous example is the Epic of Gilgamesh, which is considered one of the earliest surviving great works of literature.
During the Abbasid Caliphate, the House of Wisdom in Baghdad was a major center for scholars and writers. Many stories in One Thousand and One Nights feature famous Abbasid figures. Iraq has several famous medieval poets, such as Hariri of Basra, Mutanabbi, and Abu Nuwas. In modern times, Iraqi literature uses various languages, including Arabic, Neo-Aramaic, Kurdish, and Turkish. Arabic literature remains the most influential. Notable modern poets include Jawahiri and Dunya Mikhail.
Music of Iraq
Iraq is famous for its rich maqam heritage. Maqam is a type of traditional music that has been passed down orally from teachers to students for many years. The Iraqi maqam is considered a very special and perfect form of maqam. It involves sung poems written in classical Arabic or in the Iraqi dialect. This art form is recognized by UNESCO as an "intangible heritage of humanity."
In the early 20th century, many of Iraq's most famous musicians were Jewish. In 1936, Iraq Radio was started with a music group made up entirely of Jewish musicians, except for the percussion player. In Baghdad's nightclubs, music groups usually had an oud, a qanun, and two percussionists. For radio, they added a ney and a cello.
One of the most famous singers from the 1930s–1940s was Salima Pasha (later Salima Murad). People respected and loved Pasha a lot, which was unusual at the time because women performing in public was often seen as shameful. A famous early composer from Iraq was Ezra Aharon, who played the oud. The most important instrumentalist was Yusuf Za'arur, who formed the official group for the Iraqi radio station and introduced the cello and ney into traditional music.
Media in Iraq
Iraq was home to the second television station in the Middle East, which started in the 1950s. As part of a plan to help Iraq become more modern, a British company built a television broadcast station in Baghdad.
After the government stopped fully controlling the media in 2003, there was a big increase in broadcast media in Iraq. By mid-2003, there were many more radio stations, television stations owned by Iraqis, and Iraqi newspapers.
Iraqi Cuisine
Iraqi food has a history that goes back about 10,000 years, to the ancient Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians. Clay tablets found in ancient ruins in Iraq show recipes prepared in temples during religious festivals. These are considered the world's first cookbooks. Ancient Iraq, or Mesopotamia, was home to very advanced civilizations in many areas, including cooking.
However, it was during the Islamic Golden Age, when Baghdad was the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate, that Iraqi cooking reached its best. Today, Iraqi food reflects this rich history, as well as strong influences from the cooking traditions of nearby Turkey, Iran, and the Greater Syria area.
Some common ingredients in Iraqi food include vegetables like aubergine, tomato, okra, onion, potato, courgette, garlic, and peppers. Grains like rice, bulgur wheat, and barley are also important. Pulses and legumes such as lentils and chickpeas are used. Fruits like dates, raisins, apricots, figs, grapes, melon, pomegranate, and citrus fruits (especially lemon and lime) are also popular.
Like in other countries in Western Asia, chicken and especially lamb are the favorite meats. Most dishes are served with rice, usually Basmati rice grown in the marshes of southern Iraq. Bulgur wheat is used in many dishes and has been a main food in Iraq since ancient times.
Sports in Iraq
Football is the most popular sport in Iraq. Other popular sports include Basketball, swimming, weightlifting, bodybuilding, boxing, kick boxing, and tennis.
The Iraq Football Association manages football in Iraq, including the Iraq national football team and the Iraq Stars League. It was founded in 1948 and has been a member of FIFA since 1950. Iraq won the 2007 AFC Asian Cup and participated in the 1986 FIFA World Cup and the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
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See also
In Spanish: Irak para niños
- Outline of Iraq
- Lake Felaw
