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Iraq Find a premier Hotel & Resort at
Hilton Hotels.
or book Sheraton Hotels and Resorts
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Background:
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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 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
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 |
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Currency:
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Iraqi dinar (IQD)
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Currency code:
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IQD |
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Exchange rates:
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Iraqi dinars per US dollar - 0.3109 (fixed official rate since
1982); black market rate - Iraqi dinars per US dollar - 2,000
(December 2001), 1,910 (December 1999), 1,815 (December 1998),
1,530 (December 1997), 910 (December 1996); note - subject to
wide fluctuations |
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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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Location:
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Iraq, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait
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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: Haji Ibrahim 3,600 m |
Destination Guides > Africa
& Iraq
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