Iraq
Asia · Western Asia
Overview
Iraq lies in the Middle East, in the region of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, often called "the cradle of civilization" for giving rise to the world's earliest urban civilizations, including the Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian cultures. The country gained independence from Britain in 1932, and in the latter half of the 20th century, particularly under the rule of Saddam Hussein and following the 2003 US-led invasion, it endured severe wars and internal conflict. The official languages are Arabic and Kurdish, the latter dominant mainly in the autonomous Kurdistan Region in the north. Most of the population is Muslim, divided between Shia and Sunni communities, alongside significant ethnic and religious minorities.
The ancient ruined city of Babylon, once one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world, south of Baghdad, preserves the remains of the Ishtar Gate and the reputed site of the legendary Hanging Gardens, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2019. Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, with its ancient citadel, considered by archaeologists to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world, is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Baghdad, the country's capital, was once the intellectual and cultural center of the Abbasid Caliphate, and the National Museum's rich Mesopotamian collection showcases the region's historical heritage. The ancient city of Ur, one of the most significant centers of Sumerian civilization and, according to tradition, the birthplace of the patriarch Abraham, is home to a ziggurat, a stepped temple tower.
The Mesopotamian Marshes, at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, form one of the largest wetlands in the world, where the traditional way of life of the Marsh Arabs (the Ma'dan people), including houses built from reeds, has survived for thousands of years; the area has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2016. The mountainous landscapes of the Kurdistan Region, more accessible than other parts of the country due to their relatively more stable security situation, offer opportunities for mountain hiking. Local cuisine is built around rice and meat dishes, with masgouf, grilled river fish traditionally cooked over an open fire, and various kebabs, often served with fresh bread and salads, as signature dishes.
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Hatra
A large fortified city under the influence of the Parthian Empire and capital of the first Arab Kingdom, Hatra withstood invasions by the Romans in A.D. 116 and 198 thanks to its high, thick walls reinforced by towers. The remains of the city, especially the temples where Hellenistic and Roman architecture blend with Eastern decorative features, attest to the greatness of its civilization.
Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat)
The ancient city of Ashur is located on the Tigris River in northern Mesopotamia in a specific geo-ecological zone, at the borderline between rain-fed and irrigation agriculture. The city dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. From the 14th to the 9th centuries BC it was the first capital of the Assyrian Empire, a city-state and trading platform of international importance. It also served as the religious capital of the Assyrians, associated with the god Ashur. The city was destroyed by the Babylonians, but revived during the Parthian period in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.
Samarra Archaeological City
Samarra Archaeological City is the site of a powerful Islamic capital city that ruled over the provinces of the Abbasid Empire extending from Tunisia to Central Asia for a century. Located on both sides of the River Tigris 130 km north of Baghdad, the length of the site from north to south is 41.5 km; its width varying from 8 km to 4 km. It testifies to the architectural and artistic innovations that developed there and spread to the other regions of the Islamic world and beyond. The 9th-century Great Mosque and its spiral minaret are among the numerous remarkable architectural monuments of the site, 80% of which remain to be excavated.
Erbil Citadel
Erbil Citadel is a fortified settlement on top of an imposing ovoid-shaped tell (a hill created by many generations of people living and rebuilding on the same spot) in the Kurdistan region, Erbil Governorate. A continuous wall of tall 19th-century façades still conveys the visual impression of an impregnable fortress, dominating the city of Erbil. The citadel features a peculiar fan-like pattern dating back to Erbil’s late Ottoman phase. Written and iconographic historical records document the antiquity of settlement on the site – Erbil corresponds to ancient Arbela, an important Assyrian political and religious centre – while archaeological finds and investigations suggest that the mound conceals the levels and remains of previous settlements.
The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities
The Ahwar is made up of seven components: three archaeological sites and four wetland marsh areas in southern Iraq. The archaeological cities of Uruk and Ur and the Tell Eridu archaeological site form part of the remains of the Sumerian cities and settlements that developed in southern Mesopotamia between the 4th and the 3rd millennium BCE in the marshy delta of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The Ahwar of Southern Iraq – also known as the Iraqi Marshlands – are unique, as one of the world’s largest inland delta systems, in an extremely hot and arid environment.
Babylon
Situated 85 km south of Baghdad, the property includes the ruins of the city which, between 626 and 539 BCE, was the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. It includes villages and agricultural areas surrounding the ancient city. Its remains, outer and inner city walls, gates, palaces and temples, are a unique testimony to one of the most influential empires of the ancient world. Seat of successive empires, under rulers such as Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon represents the expression of the creativity of the Neo-Babylonian Empire at its height. The city's association with one of the seven wonders of the ancient world—the Hanging Gardens—has also inspired artistic, popular and religious culture on a global scale.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Iraq?
The capital of Iraq is Baghdad.
What is the area of Iraq?
The area of Iraq is 438,317 km².
What is the population of Iraq?
The population of Iraq is 46,042,015.
What is the currency of Iraq?
The currency of Iraq is Iraqi dinar (IQD).
What is the official language of Iraq?
The official language of Iraq: Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani.
What side of the road does Iraq drive on?
Iraq: Right-hand traffic.
Is Iraq a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Iraq is a member of the United Nations.