Iraq

Recognized Language:

* Turkish

--Minorities:

* Christianity
* Mandaeism
* Yazidism
* Judaism
* Yarsanism
* Zoroastrianism
* No Religion
* Others

**Iraq** *(Arabic: عراق)*, officially the **Republic of Iraq**, is a country in the Middle East. It is a federal parliamentary republic that consists of 19 governorates. The country is bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, the Persian Gulf and Kuwait to the southeast, Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the southwest and Syria to the west. The capital and largest city is Baghdad. The Iraqi people are diverse, with similarly diverse geography and wildlife. Most Iraqis are Muslims – minority faiths include Christianity, Yazidism, Mandaeism, Yarsanism and Zoroastrianism. The official languages of Iraq are Arabic and Kurdish; others also recognised in specific regions are Turkish (Turkmen), Suret (Assyrian), and Armenian. Iraq is the 33rd most-populous country in the world.

Starting as early as the 6th millennium BC, the fertile alluvial plains between Iraq's Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, referred to as Mesopotamia, gave rise to some of the world's earliest cities, civilisations, and empires in Sumer, Akkad, and Assyria. Mesopotamia was a "Cradle of Civilisation" that saw the inventions of a writing system, mathematics, timekeeping, a calendar, astrology, and a law code. Following the Muslim conquest of Mesopotamia, Baghdad became the capital and the largest city of the Abbasid Caliphate, and during the Islamic Golden Age, the city evolved into a significant cultural and intellectual centre, and garnered it a worldwide reputation for its academic institutions, including the House of Wisdom. The city was largely destroyed at the hands of the Mongol Empire in 1258 during the siege of Baghdad, resulting in a decline that would linger through many centuries due to frequent plagues and multiple successive empires.

Iraq is a federal parliamentary republic. The president is the head of state, the prime minister is the head of government, and the constitution provides for two deliberative bodies, the Council of Representatives and the Council of Union. The judiciary is free and independent of the executive and the legislature. Iraq is considered an emerging middle power with a strategic location and a founding member of the United Nations, the OPEC as well as of the Arab League, OIC, Non-Aligned Movement and the IMF. From 1920 to 2005, Iraq experienced spells of significant economic and military growth and briefer instability including wars.

## History

The history of Iraq can be traced back to the 4th millennium BC when the Sumerian civilization emerged in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). They developed a sophisticated system of writing, agriculture, and architecture, which laid the foundation for future civilizations in the region. The Akkadian Empire, which followed the Sumerians, expanded the use of writing and created a thriving culture that lasted until the collapse of the empire in the 21st century BC.

From the 21st century BC onward, the Babylonians dominated the region and created one of the most significant empires in ancient history. The Babylonians flourished under the rule of Hammurabi, who created the famous Hammurabi's Code, a set of laws and regulations that shaped the economic and social structure of the empire. The Assyrians followed the Babylonians and created a powerful empire that spanned from modern-day Iraq to Egypt. They were known for their military might and sophisticated engineering, which allowed them to conquer and control vast territories.

In the 7th century AD, Iraq was dominated by the Arab Caliphate led by Abu Bakr, who conquered the region and established Islam as the dominant religion. The Abbasid dynasty, which followed the Umayyad Caliphate, built the city of Baghdad as its capital, which became the center of Islamic civilization and learning. During the Ottoman Empire period, Iraq was part of the Ottoman Empire, and under Ottoman control, the region suffered from neglect and poverty. The Ottomans suppressed local uprisings and revolts and imposed taxes that further impoverished the population.

In the aftermath of World War I, Iraq became a British protectorate, and a mandate was established under British control. An independent Iraq was created in 1932, but it was not until the end of World War II that the country began to establish itself as a modern nation-state. In 1958, Iraq declared itself a republic and overthrew the country's monarchy. However, the country was plagued by instability and coups that led to the rise of Saddam Hussein, who consolidated power and became the country's dictator in 1979. During the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-1988, Iraq faced significant military and economic challenges that led to a decline in the country's fortunes. In 1990, Hussein invaded Kuwait, leading to the first Gulf War, which saw the international community intervene and impose sanctions on Iraq. The 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, which sought to depose Hussein's regime, sparked a prolonged conflict that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people. Despite the end of Hussein's regime and subsequent democratic elections, the country remains plagued by sectarian violence and political instability. Today, Iraq faces ongoing challenges as it seeks to establish a stable and prosperous state that can meet the needs of its citizens and play a role in the wider Middle East region.