Everything you need to know about IRAQ: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Iraq: Oil-rich Middle Eastern Country and Center of US-led War on Terror
Iraq was formerly part of the Ottoman Empire later on occupied by Britain during the World War I in 1920. In 1932 Iraq became an independent kingdom and in 1958 it was proclaimed a republic. But despite becoming a republic it was actually ruled by series of military strongmen until 2003. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war between 1980-88. In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of 1991. After the Kuwait liberation the UN Security Council asked Iraq to destroy all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections in order to bring peace in Arab countries. Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and ousted the Saddam Hussein regime. Elections were conducted under the security measures of UN to provide a measure of stability to the devastated country.
Iraq Profile: Overview of Facts and Figures:
Geographical Information on Iraq :
Iraq is made up of mountains, desert, and fertile river valley. It is bounded on the east by Iran, on the north by Turkey, on the west by Syria and Jordan, and on the south by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The country has arid desert west of the Euphrates, a broad central valley between the Euphrates and the Tigris, and mountains in the northeast.
Most of Iraq has desert with dry, hot, cloudless summers, while northern Iraq has mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders that experiences cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring.
Culture, Cuisine and Tradition Of Iraq:
Iraq is the land of Mesopotamian Civilization that has influenced the European and Asian civilisations. The country is known for its poets and its painters and sculptors that are among the best in the Arab world. Besides this Iraq is also known for producing fine handicrafts, including rugs and carpets. Iraq has a wide Islamic following that is reflected in the customs, beliefs and daily routine of Iraqi people.
The cooking habits of Iraqis were strongly influenced by neighboring countries of Turkey and Iran. Wheat, barley, rice and dates (Iraq is the world's largest producer of dates) are the staple foods of Iraq. A combination of meat and grains form the basis for most of Iraqi dishes. Dishes vary from meat and bread dishes, meat porridge, or meat with a grain paste known as kubba , which is famous across the globe.
Tourist Attractions of Iraq:
Iraq is one of the oldest civilisations of world and also the place where one of the first cities, language, and sciences were first formed. For centuries tourists flocked Iraq to experience the pleasures of the bygone era.
The Citadel of Arbil: This is one of the major tourist attractions of Iraq. The Citadel is also known as Qelay Hewlêrin Kurdish. It is built on a number of layers of archaeological ruins. The Citadel of Arbil had witnessed many empires like Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrian, Achaemenid Persians, Greeks, Iranian Parthians, Persian Sassanids and Ottoman Turks.
Tchogha Zanbil: The ruins of the holy city of the Kingdom of Elam, surrounded by three huge concentric walls, are found at Tchogha Zanbil. Founded c. 1250 B.C., the city remained unfinished after Ashurbanipal invaded it, as revealed by the thousands of unused bricks left at the site.Major Sight-seeing Places in Iraq include:
