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Iraq

• History: Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq became an independent kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of military strongmen have ruled the country since then, the latest being Saddam Hussein. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-1988). In August 1990 Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during January-February 1991. The victors did not occupy Iraq, however, thus allowing the regime to stay in control. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. UN trade sanctions remain in effect due to incomplete Iraqi compliance with relevant UNSC resolutions.
• Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait
• Area: Total: 437,072 sq km, Land: 432,162 sq km, Water: 4,910 sq km
• Comparative size: Slightly more than twice the size of Idaho
• Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur
• Climate: Mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq
• Terrain: Mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey
• Population: 23,331,985 (July 2001 est.)
• Natural hazards: Dust storms, sandstorms, floods
• Ethnic groups: Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5%
• Languages: Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian
• Religions: Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3%
• Govt. type: Republic
• Capital: Baghdad
• Diplomatic representation in the US: None
• Diplomatic representation from the US: None
• Currency: Iraqi dinar (IQD)
• GDP - per capita: Purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2000 est.)
• Military manpower: Males age 15-49: 3,301,880 (2001 est.)

Source: Central Intelligence Agency

The Invasion of Kuwait The Gulf War: • PBS: The Gulf War • PBS: Chronology • Encarta: Background on the War • Scud Missiles

Iraq • CIA Profile • Background On Iraq • Background On Saddam Hussein • Iraq's Oil Production

Source: Central Intelligence Agency; PBS; Encarta; Energy Information Administration

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