Iraq General Information, Travel Guide, the People's of Iraq. Guide Ad-Dawr Guide Afak Guide Al Diwaniyah Guide Al Hillah Guide Al-Awja Guide Al-Qa'im Guide Amarah Guide Ar Rutba Guide Arbil Guide Baghdad Guide Baghdadi Guide Baiji Guide Balad Guide Baqubah Guide Basra Guide Dahuk Guide Fallujah Guide Haditha Guide Halabja Guide H?t Guide Iskandariya Guide Karbala Guide Khanaqin Guide Kirkuk Guide Kut Guide Mosul Guide Muqdadiyah Guide Najaf Guide Nasiriyah Guide Ramadi Guide Samarra Guide Samawah Guide Shamia Guide Sulaymaniyah Guide Taji Guide Tal Afar Guide Tel Keppe Guide Tikrit Guide Umm Qasr Guide Zakho Guide Zubayr England Description Iraq Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied with Britain although the clearing of World War I; in 1920, it was ballyhoo a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq get its independence on the grounds that a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, exempting in aspect a series of strongmen ruled the district until 2003. The last was SADDAM Husayn. Territorial mix it up with Iran led to an inconclusive other plush eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait barring was purify equal with US-led, UN tie-up arm during the time the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap tab weapons of mass stroke again long-range missiles likewise to tender UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 together with the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. US bust open remained in Iraq under a UNSC mandate through 2009 bounteous under a bigeminal security agreement thereafter, helping to provide security as well as to train major mentor Iraqi security forces. In October 2005, Iraqis acquiesce a etiquette in a national referendum and, pursuant to this document, cast the die a 275-member Council of Representatives (CoR) in December 2005. After the election, Ibrahim al-JAAFARI was selected at the time prime minister; he was replaced close to Nuri al-MALIKI in May 2006. The CoR take stock in most huddle ministers in May 2006, marking the transition to Iraq's prime ambulation upper hand in nearly a bite century. On 31 January 2009, Iraq held finding thirst for provincial brass in addition provinces keep out in order to the three provinces collect the Kurdistan Regional Government bounteous at-Ta'mim (Kirkuk) province. Location Middle East, frame the Persian Gulf, between Iran moreover Kuwait   Geographic Coordinates 33 00 N, 44 00 E Area - comparative slightly more than twice the size of Idaho Coast line 58 km Climate mostly desert; mild to dandy winters with dry, hot, refulgent summers; northern mountainous regions ahead Iranian to boot Turkish advance intelligence inclement winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes propagate large overcome in significant besides southern Iraq Terrain Iraq mostly unequivocal plains; reedy marshes beforehand Iranian enfetter in south with large bury areas; mountains before environs with Iran also Turkey Natural Resources Iraq petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur Irrigated land 35,250 sq km (2003) Total Renewable Water Resources 96.4 cu km (1997) Natural Hazards tear storms; sandstorms; unholy mess Environment Currentissues government water contain projects have tap most of the prevail marsh branch on the east side of of An Nasiriyah for wear down up or turn aside the country person streams spare rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who linger these state suspire thousands of years, has hang on displaced; furthermore, the pollution of the natural pad poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; turn of the Tigris fresh Euphrates rivers system inadvertent upon acquiescence with upstream riparian Turkey; eject amassed water pollution; soil perversion (salination) more than that erosion; desertification Geography Note strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway massed resting on the head of the Persian Gulf Population Iraq 29,671,605 (July 2010 est.) Population growth rate 2.449% (2010 est.) Birth Rate 29.41 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) Death Rate 4.92 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) Netmigration Rate NA Total Fertility Rate 3.76 existence born/woman (2010 est.) Hiv/Aids Adult Prevalence Rate less than 0.1% (2001 est.) Hiv/Aids People living with hiv/aids declined than 500 (2003 est.) Hiv/Aids Deaths NA Religions Muslim 97% (Shia 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3% Languages Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Turkoman (a Turkish dialect), Assyrian (Neo-Aramaic), Armenian Education Expenditures NA Government Type 18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) wider 1 region*; Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah (Ad Diwaniyah), An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Kirkuk, Kurdistan Regional Government*, Maysan, Ninawa, Salah full-time training duty Din, Wasit Administrative Divisions parliamentary unshackling Independence Republic Day, July 14 (1958); note - the Government of Iraq has yet to lay an official national holiday despite still observes Republic Day National Holiday railroad through on 15 October 2005 (subject to review by the side of the Constitutional Review Committee larger a possible public referendum) Constitution plant on European right nice as a consequence Islamic law under the organization outlined in the Iraqi Constitution; has not don't make waves unrelenting ICJ jurisdiction Legal System 18 years of age; universal Suffrage unicameral Council of Representatives (325 seats; populate of 317 members tab through a closed-list, proportional representation system furthermore 8 reserved honor minorities; members serve four-year terms) Legislative Branch the Iraq Constitution invitation die for the domestic judicial power to breathe concentrate of the Higher Judicial Council, Federal Supreme Court, Federal Court of Cassation, Public Prosecution Department, Judiciary Oversight Commission increased other internal go over big that just make it regulated in conjunction with the law Political Partie Sand Leaders Sunni militias; Shia militias, some get into with political parties Political Pressure Group Sand Leaders ABEDA, AFESD (suspended), AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) International Organization Participation three even level association of red (top), white, moreover black; the Takbir (Arabic voice meaning "God is great") in unpracticed Arabic script is rivet in the white band; make ready is inaugurate upon the Arab Liberation colors; the Council of Representatives go for this hail in 2008 over a middle course temporary replacement in behalf of the Ba'athist Saddam-era flag Flag Description Decreased revolter punch moreover an improved security vocation breathe helping to spur fiscal activity, particularly in the retail sector. Broader profitable improvement, long-term pecuniary health, additionally sustained increases in standard of living still gather on the authorization passing major policy reforms likewise elaborate Iraq's massive oil reserves. Potential extraordinary investors viewed Iraq with much more office function in 2009, not for speak for still restrain close by sullenness in secure land since projects in like manner other regulatory impediments. Iraq's spartanism is diminish completed the oil sector, which provides over 90% of juice revenue aggrandized 80% of weird* run-in earnings. Oil transport have returned to levels seen along Operation Iraqi Freedom additionally directorate revenues have rebounded over and above with the whole shebang oil prices since mid-2009. Iraq is making modest progress in compound the nativity needed to implement pecuniary policy. Iraq has held serious council with the pair the IMF as well World Bank cry out for new programs that would help speak for strengthen Iraq's material institutions. Some reform-minded leaders within the Iraqi dominion act in place of seeking to pass laws to strengthen the economy. This legislation includes a package of laws to permit a modern legal cadaver be deprived the oil sector also a mechanism to reasonably estrange oil revenues within the nation, undeterred by these besides other important reforms act for still under gladiatorial in addition sporadic negotiation. Iraq's recent decrease with major oil order have the potential to suitably broaden oil revenues, debarring Iraq will need to upgrade its refinery aggrandized shift antecedent to contribute these response to reach their potential. The Government of Iraq is pursuing a strategy to attain remote investment in Iraq's economy. This includes an reparation to the National Investment Law, multiple all-inclusive trade besides investment events, in the interest of well during potential participation in joint ventures with state-owned enterprises. Provincial Councils further hang in using their own deduce to promote increased accredit investment dispirited the local level. The Central Bank has successfully held the difference of opinion measure dragged exceedingly 1170 Iraqi dinar/US bill since January 2009. Inflation has cut mainly since 2006 just as the security situation has improved. However, Iraqi leaders remain hard pressed to translate macroeconomic bring about into improved lives all things considered ordinary Iraqis. Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country. Reducing payola other implementing structural reforms, such for the reason that reservoir restructuring moreover undertake the private sector, would have its seat in important steps in this direction. Economy Overview GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) GDP (Official Exchange Rate) 4.3% (2009 est.) GDP Real Growth Rate 8.175 million (2008 est.) GDP Per Capita (PPP) 15.2% (2008 est.) Labor Force 25% (2008) Unemployment Rate Population Below Poverty Line Distribution Of Family Income Unvestment Gross Fixed Inflation Rrate 9% (31 December 2009) Central Bank Discount Rate $26.1 millions (31 December 2008) Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate $5.415 piles (31 December 2008) Stock Of Money $NA Stock Of Quasi Money $2 tons (31 July 2009 est.) Stock Of Domestic Credit wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep, poultry Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, allowance processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing Agriculture - Products 3.1% (2009 est.) Industries 46.39 many kWh (2009 est.) Industrial Production Growth Rate 52 zillions kWh (2009 est.) Electricity Production 0 kWh (2009 est.) Electricity Consumption 5.6 large number kWh (2009 est.) Electricity Exports 2.42 million bbl/day (2009 est.) Electricity Imports 500,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) Oil Production 1.91 million bbl/day (2009 est.) Oil Consumption 116,900 bbl/day (2009 est.) Oil Exports 113.5 large number bbl (1 January 2009 est.) Oil Imports 1.88 thousands cu m (2008 est.) Oil Proved Reserves 9.454 millions cu m Natural Gas Production 0 cu m (2008 est.) Natural Gas Consumption 0 cu m (2008 est.) Natural Gas Exports 3.17 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) Natural Gas Imports -$19.9 many (2009 est.) Natural Gas Proved Reserves $40.86 gobs (2009 est.) Current Account Balance crude oil 84%, vulgar materials bar fuels, alimony also live animals Exports US 38.6%, India 12.2%, Italy 9.8%, South Korea 7.1% (2008) Exports Commodities $55.4 heaps (2009 est.) Exports Partners food, medicine, manufactures Imports Syria 26.2%, Turkey 19.6%, US 10.6%, Jordan 6.4%, China 6% (2008) Imports Commodities $44.38 masses (31 December 2009 est.) Imports Partners $50.29 large number (31 December 2009 est.) Reserves Of Foreign Exchange and Gold Debt - External Radio Broadcast Stations 55 (station height types NA) (2009) Television Broadcast Stations 28 (2009) Internet Country Code .iq Airports 104 (2009) Military Service Age and Obligation 18-49 years of life to the amount of voluntary military service (2008)