The Republic of Iraq (Arabic العراق; Kurdish: Êraq )( the words "Iraq" and "Iran" are similar only in English alphabet, the word "Iraq" is Arabic and means "Two Veins", (refers to the Euphrates and the Tigris Rivers); but the word "Iran(ایران)" is Persian (cognate with Persian word, "Aryanam") and means "the land(s) of Aryans") is a Middle Eastern country in southwestern Asia at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, and also including southern Kurdistan. It shares borders with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the west, Syria to the north-west, Turkey to the north, and Iran (Persia) to the east. Iraq has a very narrow section of coastline at Umm Qasr on the Persian Gulf.
The Republic of Iraq sits on land that is historically known as Mesopotamia (Assyrian: Bet Nahrain), which means 'land between the rivers' in Greek. This land was home to some of the world's first and most distinguished civilizations. These included Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian and many other cultures, whose influence extended into neighbouring regions, certainly from around 5000 BC. These civilizations produced some of the first writing, science, mathematics, law and philosophy known to man, making it the centre of what is commonly called the "Cradle of Civilization". Ancient Mesopotamian civilization dominated other civilizations of its time.
Following the seventh century A.D., Islam became entrenched in what is now Iraq. Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate (Islamic Empire), was the leading city of the world for five centuries and was the acknowledged leader of the Arab and Muslim world. In 1258 Baghdad was devastated by the Mongols and was later occupied by the Ottoman Turks. After World War I, the Turks were driven from the area by the British. Britain then created a mandate from three former Ottoman provinces and called this new country Al Iraq (which means "the origin" in Arabic), the name formerly applied to only the southern region of the province of Basra. In 1932, Britain gave independence to this mandate and Iraq became a sovereign, independent state.
The modern state contains a mixture of various Arab, Muslim and Kurdish cultures, deeply influenced by Persian and Ottoman rule and societies. It also hosts three of the most important religious sites in Shia Islam - the Sacred Mosque of Imam Ali in Najaf and the mosques of Imam Hussein and Imam Abbas in Karbala. Najaf and Karbala are cities in southern Iraq.
A transitional government of Iraq was elected in January 2005, following the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, led by American and British military forces, which drove Saddam Hussein and his Ba'ath Party from power. American offensives on such cities as Fallujah and Tal Afar, the continued lack of such basic services as electricity and clean water, and deep political division in the country, have continued to contribute to disenchantment and disorder in the country. Supporters of the Iraqi insurgency blame the occupying forces for the disorder, but others blame the insurgency itself. In the meantime, the country is still struggling to form stable democratic institutions.
On October 15, 2005, the people of Iraq approved a new Constitution of Iraq in a referendum. Though it received a 79% "yes" vote, it was opposed by a large majority of Sunni Arab Iraqis, and is considered to have "barely" passed (as a few more votes against it would have caused its defeat, due to three provinces rejecting it by more than 2/3).
On December 15, 2005, the people of Iraq voted for their first permanent National Assembly under the new constitution. The turnout was described by various media sources and official estimates as overwhelming, around 70%. A large number of Sunni Arabs voted in the election.
Large parts of Iraq consist of desert, but the area between the two major rivers Euphrates and Tigris is fertile, with the rivers carrying about 60 million cubic meters of silt annually to the delta. The north of the country is largely mountainous, with the highest point being Haji Ibrahim at 3,600 m (11,811 ft). Iraq has a small coastline with the Persian Gulf. Close to the coast and along the Shatt al-Arab (known as arvandrūd: اروندرود among Iranians) there used to be marshlands, but many of these were drained in the 1990s.
The local climate is mostly a desert clime with mild to cool winters and dry, hot, cloudless summers. The northern mountainous regions experience cold winters with occasional heavy snows, sometimes causing extensive flooding. The capital Baghdad is situated in the centre of the country, on the banks of the Tigris. Other major cities include Basra in the south and Mosul in the north. Iraq is considered to be one of the cradles of human civilization.
Unlike many Arab countries, in a particularly similar manner to Iran (Persia), Iraq's neighbouring country, it embraces and celebrates the achievements of its past in pre-Islamic times. What is now Iraq was one of the cradles of civilization in ancient Mesopotamia. One of the great achievements of Ancient Mesopotamia, is, what seems like an ancient battery. Some archaeologists recently discovered a pot that could produce a couple of watts of electricity. Modern science only reached that stage recently. In the 8th century and 9th century, the Islamic Abbasid Caliphs presided over what was then the world's leading civilization, rich in science, art and literature.
In the most recent millennium, what is now Iraq has been made up of five cultural areas: Kurdish in the north centreed on Arbil; Sunni Islamic Arabs in the centre around Baghdad; Shi'a Islamic Arabs in the south centreed on Basra; the Assyrians, who are a Christian people, living in various cities in the North; and the Marsh Arabs, a nomadic peoples, who live on the marshlands of the central river.
Markets, and debating the price of goods, are the common form of trade.
Things you should know when travelling to Iraq
The Canadian government and Canadian Content advises against all travel to this country. Canadians in this country should leave.
The security situation remains extremely dangerous, unstable, and subject to change. Battles between armed gangs and clashes between rival political factions pose dangers. Anti-coalition political demonstrations occur and sometimes turn violent. Crime is increasing, especially in major cities. The security situation deteriorates after nightfall in many areas, as police forces currently operate only during the day in Baghdad and other cities. Due to heightened tensions at security checkpoints, extra respect and cooperation should be exercised.
Telecommunications facilities are very poor and, in some areas, nonexistent. Telephone calls may be made from hotels, restaurants, and shops. There are no public phones.
