Legend:
 Definition
 Field Listing
 Rank Order
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Background:
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Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of military strongmen ruled the country, the latest was SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. 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. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years resulted in the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. Coalition forces remain in Iraq, helping to restore degraded infrastructure and facilitating the establishment of a freely elected government, while simultaneously dealing with a robust insurgency. The Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government (IG) in June 2004 and the election of its president, Ghazi al-Ujayl al-YAWR, was held in January 2005.
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Location:
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Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait
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Geographic coordinates:
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33 00 N, 44 00 E
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Map references:
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Middle East
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Area:
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total: 437,072 sq km
land: 432,162 sq km
water: 4,910 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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slightly more than twice the size of Idaho
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Land boundaries:
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total: 3,650 km
border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km
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Coastline:
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58 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: not specified
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Climate:
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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
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Terrain:
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mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: unamed peak 3,611 m; note - this peak is not Gundah Zhur 3,607 m or Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m
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Natural resources:
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petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur
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Land use:
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arable land: 13.15%
permanent crops: 0.78%
other: 86.07% (2001)
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Irrigated land:
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35,250 sq km (1998 est.)
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Natural hazards:
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dust storms, sandstorms, floods
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Environment - current issues:
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government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Law of the Sea
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
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Geography - note:
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strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf
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Population:
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25,374,691 (July 2004 est.)
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 40.3% (male 5,198,966; female 5,039,173)
15-64 years: 56.7% (male 7,280,167; female 7,094,688)
65 years and over: 3% (male 357,651; female 404,046) (2004 est.)
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Median age:
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total: 19.2 years
male: 19.1 years
female: 19.3 years (2004 est.)
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Population growth rate:
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2.74% (2004 est.)
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Birth rate:
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33.09 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
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Death rate:
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5.66 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
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Net migration rate:
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0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 52.71 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 58.58 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 46.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 68.26 years
male: 67.09 years
female: 69.48 years (2004 est.)
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Total fertility rate:
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4.4 children born/woman (2004 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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less than 500 (2003 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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NA
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Nationality:
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noun: Iraqi(s)
adjective: Iraqi
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Ethnic groups:
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Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5%
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Religions:
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Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3%
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Languages:
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Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 40.4%
male: 55.9%
female: 24.4% (2003 est.)
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of Iraq
conventional short form: Iraq
local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah
local short form: Al Iraq
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Government type:
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none; note - the Iraqi Interim Government (IG) was appointed on 1 June 2004
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Capital:
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Baghdad
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Administrative divisions:
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18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, At Ta'mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit
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Independence:
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3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration); note - on 28 June 2004 the Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government
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National holiday:
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Revolution Day, 17 July (1968); note - this holiday was celebrated under the SADDAM Husayn regime but the Iraqi Interim Government has yet to declare a new national holiday
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Constitution:
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interim constitution signed 8 March 2004; note - the Transitional Administrative Law (TAL) was enacted 8 March 2004 to govern the country until an elected Iraqi Transitional Government can draft and ratify a new constitution in 2005
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Legal system:
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based on civil and Islamic law under the Iraqi Interim Government (IG) and Transitional Administrative Law (TAL)
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Suffrage:
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formerly 18 years of age; universal
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Interim Iraqi Government (IG) President Ghazi al-Ujayl al-YAWR (since 1 June 2004); Deputy Presidents Ibrahim al-JAFARI and Rowsch SHAWAYS (since 1 June 2004); note - the President and Deputy Presidents comprise the Presidency Council
head of government: Interim Iraqi Government (IG) Prime Minister Ayad ALLAWI (since 28 June 2004)
cabinet: 31 ministers appointed by the Presidency Council, plus a Deputy Prime Minister, Barham SALIH
elections: scheduled to be held January 2005
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Legislative branch:
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Iraqi Interim National Council formed in July 2004
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court appointed by the Prime Minister, confirmed by the Presidency Council
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Political parties and leaders:
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note - the Iraqi political parties included below reflect only the major groups; new political parties continue to emerge, indicative of a rapidly changing political landscape; Al-Sadr Movement [Muqtada Al-SADR]; Da'wa Party [Ibrahim al-JA'FARI]; Iraqi Hizballah [Karim Mahud al-MUHAMMADAWI]; Iraqi National Accord or INA [Ayad ALLAWI]; Iraqi National Congress or INC [Ahmad CHALABI]; Jama'at al Fadilah or JAF [Ayatollah Muhammad ' Ali al-YAQUBI]; The Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq or SCIRI [Abd al-Aziz al-HAKIM]; Constitutional Monarchy Movement or CMM [Sharif Ali Bin al-HUSAYN]; Independent Iraqi Alliance or IIA [Falah al-NAQIB]; Iraqi Independent Democrats or IID [Adnan PACHACHI, Mahdi al-HAFIZ]; Iraqi Islamic Party or IIP [Muhsin Abd al-HAMID, Hajim al-HASSANI]; Iraqi National Unity Movement or INUM [Ahmad al-KUBAYSI, chariman]; Muslim Ulama Council or MUC [Harith Sulayman al-DARI, secretary general]; Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP [Masud BARZANI]; Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or PUK [Jalal TALABANI]
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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an insurgency against the Iraqi Interim Government and Coalition forces is primarily concentrated in Baghdad and in areas west and north of the capital; the diverse, multigroup insurgency is led principally by Sunni Arabs whose only common denominator is a shared desire to oust the Coalition and end US influence in Iraq
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International organization participation:
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ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer), WToO
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery: 1801 P Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 483-7500
FAX: [1] (202) 462-5066
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador John D. NEGROPONTE
embassy: Baghdad
mailing address: APO AE 09316
telephone: 00-1-240-553-0584 ext. 4354; note - Consular Section
FAX: NA
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Flag description:
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three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria, which has two stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that of Egypt which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band; design is based upon the Arab Liberation colors
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Economy - overview:
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Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. In the 1980s financial problems caused by massive expenditures in the eight-year war with Iran and damage to oil export facilities by Iran led the government to implement austerity measures, borrow heavily, and later reschedule foreign debt payments; Iraq suffered economic losses from that war of at least $100 billion. After hostilities ended in 1988, oil exports gradually increased with the construction of new pipelines and restoration of damaged facilities. Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international economic sanctions, and damage from military action by an international coalition beginning in January 1991 drastically reduced economic activity. Although government policies supporting large military and internal security forces and allocating resources to key supporters of the regime have hurt the economy, implementation of the UN's oil-for-food program beginning in December 1996 helped improve conditions for the average Iraqi citizen. Iraq was allowed to export limited amounts of oil in exchange for food, medicine, and some infrastructure spare parts. In December 1999, the UN Security Council authorized Iraq to export under the program as much oil as required to meet humanitarian needs. The drop in GDP in 2001-02 was largely the result of the global economic slowdown and lower oil prices. Per capita food imports increased significantly, while medical supplies and health care services steadily improved. Per capita output and living standards were still well below the pre-1991 level, but any estimates have a wide range of error. The military victory of the US-led coalition in March-April 2003 resulted in the shutdown of much of the central economic administrative structure, but with the loss of a comparatively small amount of capital plant. The rebuilding of oil, electricity, and other production is proceeding steadily at the start of 2004 with foreign support and despite the continuation of severe internal strife. A joint UN and World Bank report released in the fall of 2003 estimated that Iraq's key reconstruction needs through 2007 would cost $55 billion. In October 2003, international donors pledged assistance worth more than $33 billion toward this rebuilding effort.
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $37.92 billion (2003 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate:
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-21.8% (2003 est.)
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $1,500 (2003 est.)
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 6%
industry: 13%
services: 81% (1993 est.)
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Population below poverty line:
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NA
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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29.3% (2003 est.)
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Labor force:
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7.8 million (2004 est.)
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA
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Unemployment rate:
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NA (2003 est.)
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Budget:
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revenues: $12.8 billion NA
expenditures: $13.4 billion NA, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 budget)
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Agriculture - products:
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wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep
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Industries:
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petroleum, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processing
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Industrial production growth rate:
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NA
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Electricity - production:
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36.01 billion kWh (2001)
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Electricity - consumption:
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33.49 billion kWh (2001)
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Electricity - exports:
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0 kWh (2001)
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Electricity - imports:
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0 kWh (2001)
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Oil - production:
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2.2 million bbl/day; note - prewar production was 2.8 million bbl/day (January 2004 est.)
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Oil - consumption:
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460,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)
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Oil - exports:
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1.7 million bbl/day (January 2004)
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Oil - imports:
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NA (2001)
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Oil - proved reserves:
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113.8 billion bbl (1 January 2002)
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Natural gas - production:
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2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.)
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Natural gas - consumption:
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2.76 billion cu m (2001 est.)
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Natural gas - exports:
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0 cu m (2001 est.)
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Natural gas - imports:
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0 cu m (2001 est.)
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Natural gas - proved reserves:
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3.149 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)
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Current account balance:
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$1.136 billion (2003)
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Exports:
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$7.542 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
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Exports - commodities:
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crude oil
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Exports - partners:
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US 48.8%, Jordan 8.4%, Canada 8%, Italy 7.9%, Morocco 5.3% (2003)
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Imports:
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$6.521 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)
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Imports - commodities:
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food, medicine, manufactures
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Imports - partners:
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Turkey 18.1%, Jordan 13.4%, Vietnam 10.7%, US 6.9%, Germany 5%, UK 4.7% (2003)
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Debt - external:
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$93.95 billion (2003 est.)
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Economic aid - recipient:
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more than $33 billion in foreign aid pledged for 2004-07 (2004)
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Currency:
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New Iraqi dinar (NID) as of 22 January 2004
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Currency code:
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NID, IQD prior to 22 January 2004
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Exchange rates:
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New Iraqi dinars per US dollar - 1,890 (second half, 2003)
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year
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Railways:
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total: 1,963 km
standard gauge: 1,963 km 1.435-m gauge (2003)
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Highways:
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total: 45,550 km
paved: 38,399 km
unpaved: 7,151 km (2000 est.)
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Waterways:
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5,275 km (not all navigable)
note: Euphrates River (2,815 km), Tigris River (1,895 km), and Third River (565 km) are principal waterways (2004)
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Pipelines:
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gas 1,739 km; oil 5,418 km; refined products 1,343 km (2004)
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Ports and harbors:
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Umm Qasr, Khawr az Zubayr, and Al Basrah have limited functionality
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Merchant marine:
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total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 83,221 GRT/125,255 DWT
by type: cargo 6, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 1
registered in other countries: 3 (2004 est.)
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Airports:
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111; note - unknown number were damaged during the March-April 2003 war (2003 est.)
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 79
over 3,047 m: 21
2,438 to 3,047 m: 36
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 10 (2004 est.)
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 32
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 9 (2004 est.)
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Heliports:
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6 (2003 est.)
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This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005
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