IRAQ GENERAL INFORMATION Area: 435 052 squire kilometers. Population: 22 millions (1997 census). Language: Arabic (official), kurdish second language, (English frequently used in business). Currency: Iraqi Dinar (official exchange rate US$ 1 = ID 0.325) (Commercial exchange rate US$ 1 = Approx. ID 1750 - 1950) Rate of exchange for last 6 months Population Growth Rate: 3.20 percent (1998) Population density: 46 persons per squire Km. Life expectancy: 66.5 (1998). Ethnic divisions: - Arab: 75-80% - Kurdish: 15-20% - Turkmen, Assyrian or others 5% Religions: - Muslim 97% - Christian or other 3% Government: Republic Independence: 14th July 1958 Voting rate: Universal at age 18 Exports: Crude oil & Refined products,Fertilizer, Sulfur. Industries: Petroleum products & refining, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processing. Agriculture : Principle products – wheat, barley, rice, vegetable, dates and other fruits,cotton, wool, livestock – cattle, sheep. Naturel ressources: Petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur, salt, coal, gypsum. Location: Southwest Asia Neighboring countries: North: Turkey East: Iran South: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Arabian Gulf West: Jordan and Syria Major rivers: Iraq today occupies the old land of Mesopotamia, this fertile land between the two rivers Tigris (length inside Iraq 1418 Km) and Euphrates (length inside Iraq 1160 Km), which both flow through Iraq from North and West parts these two rivers meet at 10 Km north of Basrah city forming Shatt al Arab river (length 110 Km), which drains into the Gulf. Climate: Iraq mostly has a continental climate with extreme heat summer and cold snowy winter. The mountains area in the north has cool summer and cold winter, central area of Iraq, summer is long and hot on the contrary winter short and cool, average January temperature in Baghdad is 5-9ºC; average July & August temperature is 40-45ºC highest temperature being recorded was 51ºC. Northern highlands area, rainfall is considerable from October to May averaging 1000 ml., south and central alluvial plain, averaging approximately 75-100 ml. Governorates: Iraq divided into 18 Governorates, a centrally nominated governor heads and runs each Governorate, towns and cities are run by municipal councils headed by mayors. Transport and Communications: Iraq is engaged internally in a main supply routes such us: Route of Baghdad – Mosul – Kirkuk – Dohuk. Route of Baghdad – Kirkuk – Erbil – Mosul. Route of Baghdad – Kut – Amara – Basrah. Route of Baghdad – Ramadi – Rutba. Route of Baghdad – Hilla – Dewaniah – Samawa – Nasiriya – Basrah. Route of Baghdad – Kut – Nasiriya – Basrah. Land routes to neighboring countries. To Jordan: A good highway road: Baghdad, Ramadi, Traibeel and Jordanian boarder. To Syria: Baghdad, Ramadi, Rutba and Syrian boarder. To Turkey: Baghdad, Mosul, Zakho, Turkish boarder. To Iran: Baghdad, Baquba, Khanaqin, Mundhiriya and Iranian boarder. Iraq today is connected through a national & International lines network, plus all facilities of the Internet and services. Main archaeological sites: In Iraq, there are about 10,000 archeological sites in which lie hidden the remains of long succession of civilizations that date as far back as the Paleolithic age, 100,000 years ago. The most recent are those that belong to the Islamic periods. The cultural formation of the country was distinguished for its originally and continuity, which gave its civilizations a uniformity of its own. This partly explains why it was a focal point from which radiated sciences and arts that contributed to the progress of many parts of the world. Iraq was one of the first regions in the world to create the bases of cultural and social stability. Among these sites: Babylon: It lies 90 Kilometers south of Baghdad, 10 Kilometers north of Hilla, the road to Babylon branches of the main Baghdad-Hilla highway. 2350 B.C. Babylon was a small village which in five or six centuries had grown in size and importance, mostly during the region of the third Dynasty, until it became the capital of the famous king, law-giver and social reformer HAMMURABI (1792-1750 B.C.). The lion of Babylon, carved in basalt, reminds us again that the lion was the symbol of the goddess Ishtar. In the sculpture, the lion’s back has marks indicating that it was meant for a precious saddle upon which Ishtar would stand. The City of Kish (Al-Uhaimir): Kish or Al Uhaimir (the red) because of its ziggurat’s red bricks). It is especially significant because ancient Iraqis believed that the kingship, after the flood, descended from heaven again to Kish. Remains of the city’s red ziggurat on a rectangular base measuring 190x180ft. on the other side of the city there once stood two more ziggurats and a temple, still partly extant. Kerbala: It lies 102 Km. away from Baghdad, 78 km. away from Najaf and 45 km. away from Hilla. It witnessed great events which left their mark on Islamic history, Imam Hussein bin Ali and his brother Abbas together with many others, who are buried in their two great shrines in the city. Najaf: 60 Km. to the south of Hilla is the holy city of Najaf, where lies the Shrine of the Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib with its resplendent golden dome and minarets. Great quantities of priceless objects, gifts of potentates and sultans, are treasured in the mosque. Kufa: An important Islamic town of early Arab history, Kufa was the first Arab capital proper, founded by Saad bin Abi Waqqas in A.D. 618 and adopted by Ali bin Abi Talib as the center of his caliphate and the Mosque occupying the central space. Uruk (Warka): One of the most famous Sumerian cities of ancient Iraq. It was continuously inhabited from about 4000 B.C. up to the 5th century A.D. because of the part it played in Iraqi culture for such a long time. The City of Ur: Excavations have proved that Ur was leading among the old Sumerian cities of Mesopotamia. Its earliest dwellings go back some six – thousands years, and after it had enjoyed prominence in the dawn of dynasties, 4800-4300 years ago, it assumed a leading position during the Third Dynasty of Ur, over 4000 years ago. In later times, although political leadership shifted to other Babylonian and Assyrian centers, it maintained its importance and kings continued to lavish their care on its temples and institutions. Nineveh: The city of Nineveh (approximately 500Km to the north of Baghdad), this city had a glorious history. It was the third Assyrian capital after Assur and Nimrud, and its position in the center of the original Assyrian lands between the rivers Tigris & Zab gave it an added administrative and religious importance. This city was ruled by a number of great Assyrian Kings, such as Sargon II (721-705 B.C.), before he moved to Dur Sharrukin (Khorsabad), succeeded by his son Sennacherib (705 – 681 B.C.), who abandoned his father’s new capital and went back to Nineveh. He brought water to the city in an 80Km long canal from river Gomel, built a dam for water regulation the remains of which are still visible. Nimrud: The famous capital of the Assyrian empire, the second capital of Assyria had been a well settled place for a thousand years before it was built as a center of his kingdom by Shalmaneser I (1273 – 1244 B.C.), lying as it does on the east bank of the Tigris, 37 Km to the south – east of Mosul, the city has a four side wall measuring in all 8 Km. Assur: The first capital of a people who named their city after their major god, and who in time built a vast empire which included Iraq, Syria, Anatolia, Iran, Egypt and parts of Arabia. Assur (today called Qalat Shergat) is 11 Km. to the south of Mosul, near Himrin mountains believed by the Assyrian to be the abode of god Assure. It lies on a stony hill overlooking the Tigris on the east. Hatra: The ancient Arab city of Hatra, near Wadi Tharthar, is 270 Km. to the west of the Baghdad – Mosul highway, at a point 80 Km. south of Mosul. In architecture, sculpture, metal work, the arts of war, Hatra was no less advanced than Rome. It was another link in the chain of great Arab cities; Palmyra in Syria, Petra in Jordan and Baalbech in Lebanon. There is a modern entrance to the city today, which leads to the eastern cemetery, which has stone structures with vaulted halls indicating Arab skill in this kind of architecture. A rectangular building follows; it is the huge Great Temple (437.5 x 322.5 meters). Official Holidays: 1 Jan.: New Year’s Day. 6 Jan.: Army day. 8 Feb.: anniversary of 1963 revolution 14 July: anniversary of 1958 revolution 17 July: anniversary of 1968 revolution Muslim celebrations horned as public holidays in Iraq. Eed al - Fitr, 3 days, after finishing fasting 30 days of Ramadan Eed al – Adha 4 days, Feast of sacrifice Islamic New Year: 1 day the 1st of Muharam (Lunar Calendar) Birthday of Profit Mohammed: 1 day 12th of Rabeea 2nd(Lunar Calendar) The dated of Muslim celebrations are dependant on the lunar calendar Form of Government: Iraq is a people’s democratic republic. The Revolution Command Council (R.C.C.), headed by the President of the Republic, is the supreme authority in the state. Resolutions are adopted by a two-third majority. Ministries & relevant establishments are responsible for the implementation of resolutions adopted by R.C.C., which is the highest body in charge of legislation, guidance & supervision of actual execution undertaken by the executive authority, that is, the Council of Ministries. The National Assembly: Called the Majlis al Watani, it made up of at least 250 members freely and directly elected by secret ballot, so that it represents all the people of the Iraqi Republic, the National Assembly, together with the Revolution Command Council, participates in legislation. Its setting up has been an advanced step in the democratic building of the society structured by the 17th of July revolution; it formulates the democratic practices of the masses alongside the other effective forms adopted by the Revolution, The National Assembly is based on certain principle, such the absolute equality of all citizens, with the exception of those who take a hostile stand against the Revolution and revolutionary transformation, absolute equality of the men and women, the rejection of formalistic practices of democracy, with emphasis on the serious content of democratic practice which express the principles of the Revolution and seriousness of its method. Judicial System: the judicial system in Iraq depends in most of its legislation, upon the laws issued in old times, which were prevalent in Iraq. Thereafter and through process of modernization of the Iraqi laws and regulations, many principles and articles of the French law were extracted and included in provisions of the new laws and regulations. The courts in Iraq consist of: 1- The preliminary courts which are: a- Courts of the first instance. b- Courts of the personal status. c- Courts of Penal, Investigations, Misdemeanor and the Felony. 2- The Higher Courts: a- Courts of Appeal. b- Courts of Cassation. These courts look into and consider the legal challenges submitted against rulings of the preliminary courts. 3- Also, there is a legal authority, which represents the public order; it is called office of the Prosecute General, headed by a Senior Official in the Ministry of Justice under designation of the chief Prosecutor General. He is represented in the courts by legal official in the capacity of a judge; who is the Prosecutor General or who ever represents him. Furthermore, there is another legal authority; the execution departments which shoulders responsibility of executing rulings of the above courts after acquiring peremptory degree. Local & Foreign Investment: The Ministry of Industry & Minerals has been allocated increased responsibilities in encouraging and assisting private and mixed sector industrial investment, by providing effective assistance to create, develop and expand projects, and define areas and investment opportunities. Particular importance is attached to setting up strategic and export-oriented industries using local raw materials or local products. Regulations governing such projects were eased; they will be entitled to annual import quotas and are exempted from taxes and duties 10 years. The government have already create an industrial free zone is to encourage foreign investments, particularly in petrochemicals, and iron, steel and galvanized pipe production. IRAQ GENERAL INFORMATION Area: 435 052 squire kilometers. Population: 22 millions (1997 census). Language: Arabic (official), (English frequently used in business). Currency: Iraqi Dinar (official exchange rate US$ 1 = ID 0.325) (Commercial exchange rate US$ 1 = Approx. ID 1750 - 1950) Rate of exchange for last 6 months Population Growth Rate: 3.20 percent (1998) Population density: 46 persons per squire Km. Life expectancy: 66.5 (1998). Ethnic divisions: - Arab: 75-80% - Kurdish: 15-20% - Turkmen, Assyrian or others 5% Religions: - Muslim 97% - Christian or other 3% Government: Republic Independence: 14th July 1958 Voting rate: Universal at age 18 Exports: Crude oil & Refined products, Fertilizer, Sulfur. Industries: Petroleum products & refining, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processing. Agriculture : Principle products – wheat, barley, rice, vegetable, dates and other fruits, cotton, wool, livestock – cattle, sheep. Naturel ressources: Petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur, salt, coal, gypsum. Location: Southwest Asia Neighboring countries: North: Turkey East: Iran South: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Arabian Gulf West: Jordan and Syria Major rivers: Iraq today occupies the old land of Mesopotamia, this fertile land between the two rivers Tigris (length inside Iraq 1418 Km) and Euphrates (length inside Iraq 1160 Km), which both flow through Iraq from North and West parts these two rivers meet at 10 Km north of Basrah city forming Shatt al Arab river (length 110 Km), which drains into the Gulf. Climate: Iraq mostly has a continental climate with extreme heat summer and cold snowy winter. The mountains area in the north has cool summer and cold winter, central area of Iraq, summer is long and hot on the contrary winter short and cool, average January temperature in Baghdad is 5-9ºC; average July & August temperature is 40-45ºC highest temperature being recorded was 51ºC. Northern highlands area, rainfall is considerable from October to May averaging 1000 ml., south and central alluvial plain, averaging approximately 75-100 ml. Governorates: Iraq divided into 18 Governorates, a centrally nominated governor heads and runs each Governorate, towns and cities are run by municipal councils headed by mayors. Transport and Communications: Iraq is engaged internally in a main supply routes such us: Route of Baghdad – Mosul – Kirkuk – Dohuk. Route of Baghdad – Kirkuk – Erbil – Mosul. Route of Baghdad – Kut – Amara – Basrah. Route of Baghdad – Ramadi – Rutba. Route of Baghdad – Hilla – Dewaniah – Samawa – Nasiriya – Basrah. Route of Baghdad – Kut – Nasiriya – Basrah. Land routes to neighboring countries. To Jordan: A good highway road: Baghdad, Ramadi, Traibeel and Jordanian boarder. To Syria: Baghdad, Ramadi, Rutba and Syrian boarder. To Turkey: Baghdad, Mosul, Zakho, Turkish boarder. To Iran: Baghdad, Baquba, Khanaqin, Mundhiriya and Iranian boarder. Iraq today is connected through a national & International lines network, plus all facilities of the Internet and services. Main archaeological sites: In Iraq, there are about 10,000 archeological sites in which lie hidden the remains of long succession of civilizations that date as far back as the Paleolithic age, 100,000 years ago. The most recent are those that belong to the Islamic periods. The cultural formation of the country was distinguished for its originally and continuity, which gave its civilizations a uniformity of its own. This partly explains why it was a focal point from which radiated sciences and arts that contributed to the progress of many parts of the world. Iraq was one of the first regions in the world to create the bases of cultural and social stability. Among these sites: Babylon: It lies 90 Kilometers south of Baghdad, 10 Kilometers north of Hilla, the road to Babylon branches of the main Baghdad-Hilla highway. 2350 B.C. Babylon was a small village which in five or six centuries had grown in size and importance, mostly during the region of the third Dynasty, until it became the capital of the famous king, law-giver and social reformer HAMMURABI (1792-1750 B.C.). The lion of Babylon, carved in basalt, reminds us again that the lion was the symbol of the goddess Ishtar. In the sculpture, the lion’s back has marks indicating that it was meant for a precious saddle upon which Ishtar would stand. The City of Kish (Al-Uhaimir): Kish or Al Uhaimir (the red) because of its ziggurat’s red bricks). It is especially significant because ancient Iraqis believed that the kingship, after the flood, descended from heaven again to Kish. Remains of the city’s red ziggurat on a rectangular base measuring 190x180ft. on the other side of the city there once stood two more ziggurats and a temple, still partly extant. Kerbala: It lies 102 Km. away from Baghdad, 78 km. away from Najaf and 45 km. away from Hilla. It witnessed great events which left their mark on Islamic history, Imam Hussein bin Ali and his brother Abbas together with many others, who are buried in their two great shrines in the city. Najaf: 60 Km. to the south of Hilla is the holy city of Najaf, where lies the Shrine of the Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib with its resplendent golden dome and minarets. Great quantities of priceless objects, gifts of potentates and sultans, are treasured in the mosque. Kufa: An important Islamic town of early Arab history, Kufa was the first Arab capital proper, founded by Saad bin Abi Waqqas in A.D. 618 and adopted by Ali bin Abi Talib as the center of his caliphate and the Mosque occupying the central space. Uruk (Warka): One of the most famous Sumerian cities of ancient Iraq. It was continuously inhabited from about 4000 B.C.up to the 5th century A.D. because of the part it played in Iraqi culture for such a long time. The City of Ur: Excavations have proved that Ur was leading among the old Sumerian cities of Mesopotamia. Its earliest dwellings go back some six – thousands years, and after it had enjoyed prominence in the dawn of dynasties, 4800-4300 years ago, it assumed a leading position during the Third Dynasty of Ur, over 4000 years ago. In later times, although political leadership shifted to other Babylonian and Assyrian centers, it maintained its importance and kings continued to lavish their care on its temples and institutions. Nineveh: The city of Nineveh (approximately 500Km to the north of Baghdad), this city had a glorious history. It was the third Assyrian capital after Assur and Nimrud, and its position in the center of the original Assyrian lands between the rivers Tigris & Zab gave it an added administrative and religious importance. This city was ruled by a number of great Assyrian Kings, such as Sargon II (721-705 B.C.), before he moved to Dur Sharrukin (Khorsabad), succeeded by his son Sennacherib (705 – 681 B.C.), who abandoned his father’s new capital and went back to Nineveh. He brought water to the city in an 80Km long canal from river Gomel, built a dam for water regulation the remains of which are still visible. Nimrud: The famous capital of the Assyrian empire, the second capital of Assyria had been a well settled place for a thousand years before it was built as a center of his kingdom by Shalmaneser I (1273 – 1244 B.C.), lying as it does on the east bank of the Tigris, 37 Km to the south – east of Mosul, the city has a four side wall measuring in all 8 Km. Assur: The first capital of a people who named their city after their major god, and who in time built a vast empire which included Iraq, Syria, Anatolia, Iran, Egypt and parts of Arabia. Assur (today called Qalat Shergat) is 11 Km. to the south of Mosul, near Himrin mountains believed by the Assyrian to be the abode of god Assure. It lies on a stony hill overlooking the Tigris on the east. Hatra: The ancient Arab city of Hatra, near Wadi Tharthar, is 270 Km. to the west of the Baghdad – Mosul highway, at a point 80 Km. south of Mosul. In architecture, sculpture, metal work, the arts of war, Hatra was no less advanced than Rome. It was another link in the chain of great Arab cities; Palmyra in Syria, Petra in Jordan and Baalbech in Lebanon. There is a modern entrance to the city today, which leads to the eastern cemetery, which has stone structures with vaulted halls indicating Arab skill in this kind of architecture. A rectangular building follows; it is the huge Great Temple (437.5 x 322.5 meters). Official Holidays: 1 Jan.: New Year’s Day. 6 Jan.: Army day. 8 Feb.: anniversary of 1963 revolution 14 July: anniversary of 1958 revolution 17 July: anniversary of 1968 revolution Muslim celebrations horned as public holidays in Iraq. Eed al - Fitr, 3 days, after finishing fasting 30 days of Ramadan Eed al – Adha 4 days, Feast of sacrifice Islamic New Year: 1 day the 1st of Muharam (Lunar Calendar) Birthday of Profit Mohammed: 1 day 12th of Rabeea 2nd(Lunar Calendar) The dated of Muslim celebrations are dependant on the lunar calendar Form of Government: Iraq is a people’s democratic republic. The Revolution Command Council (R.C.C.), headed by the President of the Republic, is the supreme authority in the state. Resolutions are adopted by a two-third majority. Ministries & relevant establishments are responsible for the implementation of resolutions adopted by R.C.C., which is the highest body in charge of legislation, guidance & supervision of actual execution undertaken by the executive authority, that is, the Council of Ministries. The National Assembly: Called the Majlis al Watani, it made up of at least 250 members freely and directly elected by secret ballot, so that it represents all the people of the Iraqi Republic, the National Assembly, together with the Revolution Command Council, participates in legislation. Its setting up has been an advanced step in the democratic building of the society structured by the 17th of July revolution; it formulates the democratic practices of the masses alongside the other effective forms adopted by the Revolution, The National Assembly is based on certain principle, such the absolute equality of all citizens, with the exception of those who take a hostile stand against the Revolution and revolutionary transformation, absolute equality of the men and women, the rejection of formalistic practices of democracy, with emphasis on the serious content of democratic practice which express the principles of the Revolution and seriousness of its method. Judicial System: the judicial system in Iraq depends in most of its legislation, upon the laws issued in old times, which were prevalent in Iraq. Thereafter and through process of modernization of the Iraqi laws and regulations, many principles and articles of the French law were extracted and included in provisions of the new laws and regulations. The courts in Iraq consist of: 1- The preliminary courts which are: a- Courts of the first instance. b- Courts of the personal status. c- Courts of Penal, Investigations, Misdemeanor and the Felony. 2- The Higher Courts: a- Courts of Appeal. b- Courts of Cassation. These courts look into and consider the legal challenges submitted against rulings of the preliminary courts. 3- Also, there is a legal authority, which represents the public order; it is called office of the Prosecute General, headed by a Senior Official in the Ministry of Justice under designation of the chief Prosecutor General. He is represented in the courts by legal official in the capacity of a judge; who is the Prosecutor General or who ever represents him. Furthermore, there is another legal authority; the execution departments which shoulders responsibility of executing rulings of the above courts after acquiring peremptory degree. Local & Foreign Investment: The Ministry of Industry & Minerals has been allocated increased responsibilities in encouraging and assisting private and mixed sector industrial investment, by providing effective assistance to create, develop and expand projects, and define areas and investment opportunities. Particular importance is attached to setting up strategic and export-oriented industries using local raw materials or local products. Regulations governing such projects were eased; they will be entitled to annual import quotas and are exempted from taxes and duties 10 years. The government have already create an industrial free zone is to encourage foreign investments, particularly in petrochemicals, and iron, steel and galvanized pipe production.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 09:03:45 +0000
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