Iraq, historically Mesopotamia, is home to some of the earliest civilizations, including Sumer, Babylon, and Assyria. It later became part of the Persian and Islamic empires before falling under Ottoman rule. After gaining independence from Britain in 1932, Iraq faced decades of political turmoil, including the Saddam Hussein era, the 2003 U.S. invasion, and ongoing conflicts. Despite its oil wealth, Iraq continues to face challenges related to security and governance.
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in Western Asia. It shares borders with Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Kuwait to the southeast, Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the southwest, and Syria to the west. It has a narrow coastline along the Persian Gulf. Covering an area of approximately 438,317 square kilometers, Iraq has a population of about 40 million people as of 2023. The capital and largest city is Baghdad. The official languages are Arabic and Kurdish. Iraq operates as a federal parliamentary republic. The economy is largely dependent on oil, which accounts for a significant portion of its GDP, along with agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Iraq is known for its rich history as part of ancient Mesopotamia, often referred to as the cradle of civilization, and is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations, the Arab League, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.