About Iraq

 

Capital
Baghdad

Population
30.7m (2009)

Time
GMT + 3 (GMT + 4 from 1st April to 1st October)

Climate
Most of Iraq has a hot arid climate. Summer temperatures average above 40 °C (104 °F) for most of the country and frequently exceed 48 °C (118.4 °F). Winter temperatures infrequently exceed 21 °C (69.8 °F) with maximums roughly 15 to 16 °C (59 to 60.8 °F) and night-time lows occasionally below freezing. Maximum rainfall occurrs during the winter months and is is extremely rare during the summer, except in the far north of the country.

Geography
Iraq shares borders with Turkey, Iran, the Gulf of Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic. There is also a neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia administered jointly by the two countries. The country’s main topographical features are the two rivers, the Euphrates and the Tigris, which flow from the Turkish and Syrian Arab Republic borders in the north to the Gulf in the south. The northeast is mountainous, while the country in the west is arid desert.

Language
80% Arabic (official). Other languages spoken include Kurdish, Persian, Chaldean, Assyrian and Armenian. English is quite widely spoken.

In the northern region known as Iraqi Kurdistan, many people, especially younger Kurds, will speak only Kurdish with no Arabic. Although, English is widely spoken in towns.

Religion
Islam. Muslims make up 95% of the population, with considerably more Shiites than Sunni. Others are Christians who belong to various sects, including Chaldeans, Assyrians, Syrian and Roman Catholics, Orthodox Armenians and Jacobites. Other religious minorities are the Yezidis and the Sabaeans, or Mandeans, who are followers of John the Baptist.

Social Convention
Owing to a long and varied history, Iraq is a culturally rich country. Today, traditional Islamic culture predominates, with Koranic law playing an active role in the day-to-day life of the country, and visitors should be careful to respect this and act accordingly. Visitors should always address their hosts by full name and title. Traditional Arab hospitality is followed as a rule, in accordance with religious law. Conservative and discreet dress should be worn in observance of local Islamic laws.

 

Landmarks

The Iraq National Museum re-opened with great fanfare in 2009 and is one of the top attractions in Baghdad. The wealth of archaeological artefacts brings the ancient world of the Babylon to life.

		Baghdad Bazaars After being a no-go area for some years, the famous city bazaars have started to come to life again. Head to the colourful bird market Souk al-Ghazal where pigeon fanciers, a popular pastime in Baghdad, buy birds, exchange tips and relax at local cafés.
		Kerbala Join the pilgrims travelling to Kerbala, 100 km south of Baghdad. It's the spiritual home of Shi'ia Muslims who make pilgrimages to the impressive mosque housing the shrine of Hussein.
		Najaf Najaf, 160 km south of Baghdad, is another of the Shi'ia holy cities and famous for the mosque of Al-Haidariya, crowned with a resplendent golden dome made of gold tiles and minarets each made of 40,000 gold tiles.
		The Marshes The Marshes are situated along the Shatt El-Arab waterway and are best explored by boat to experience the locals who live on man-made islands in beautiful dwellings woven in lattice-work from reeds.
		Basra Visit Basra, once called the Venice of the East, thanks to its canals lined with elegant 19th-century houses. Have a stroll on the lush island across from the Shatt Al-Arab Hotel where families picnic Basra remains the main seaport for large commercial ships and tankers as well as traditional dhows.
		Mosul Mosul is the site of the ruined city of Nineveh and many pre-Islamic artifacts can be found in the Mosul Museum. Wander through the old city and explore mosques, churches and castles. The centre of town is famous for narrow streets of beautiful 19th century houses.
		Erbil Erbil is the capital and seat of the Kurdistan Regional Government on Northern Iraq. Walk around sprawling citadel, you will be treading in the footsteps of Alexander the Great who defeated Darius.
		Kurdish Mountain Resorts The foothills and mountains ring every town in Iraqi Kurdistan and in the spring and summer they are cool and beautiful places to escape the heat and dust of the towns.

 

 

Source: http://www.ameinfo.com/iraq_demographics/