Iraq.

Iraq sits across ancient Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the birthplace of writing, the wheel and the first cities of human history, and remains the cultural heart of the Arab world.

Geography & landscape

Iraq sits in Western Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 438,317 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Baghdad, lies near coordinates 33°, 44°.

The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Western Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Iraq.

People & society

The population of Iraq is around 43M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.

Iraq recognises multiple official languages — Arabic and Kurdish — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.

Government & politics

Iraq is structured as a federal parliamentary republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Baghdad, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.

Economy & currency

The official currency of Iraq is the Iraqi Dinar (IQD). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Baghdad and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.

Culture & everyday life

The cultural footprint of Iraq shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Iraq through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.

Travel essentials

The capital, Baghdad, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +964, and clocks are set to the AST (UTC+3) time zone. ISO standards identify Iraq as IQ (alpha-2) and IRQ (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇮🇶, appears at every border post and on every passport.

By the numbers

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Did you know?

The world's earliest known cities — Uruk, Eridu and Ur — were built in southern Iraq more than 5,000 years ago.