54 Fascinating Facts About Iraq: Dive Into the Charm of Iraq

Iraq, officially known as the Republic of Iraq, is located in Western Asia with an area of 438,317 square kilometers. Its capital and largest city is Baghdad. The official languages are Arabic and Kurdish, and the currency is the Iraqi dinar (IQD). It shares borders with Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi_Arabia, and Syria, making it a central hub in the region.

Despite its rich oil resources, Iraq has been ravaged by wars, sanctions, and turmoil over the years. The country’s history, geography, culture, government, people, economy, and wars contain many interesting facts worth exploring.

Interesting Facts about Iraq

1. The name “Iraq” in Arabic means “deeply rooted, with plentiful water; fertile,” a term that has been in use since the 6th century.
2. Iraq was ruled by the Ottoman Empire for centuries before being under British rule for 17 years.
3. Iraq gained its independence from Britain on October 3, 1932.
4. In 1991, the green Arabic phrase “Allahu Akbar” (God is the Greatest) was added to the Iraqi flag.
5. The metric system is Iraq’s official system of measurement.
6. Since participating in the Olympics in 1948, Iraq has only won a single bronze medal in 1960.
7. In 1979, Saddam Hussein became the leader of Iraq.
8. He invaded Iran in 1980 and Kuwait in 1990, but both invasions failed, leading to resource depletion and economic decline.
9. On December 30, 2006, Saddam Hussein was executed by hanging for crimes against humanity.
10. During the 1980s Iran-Iraq War, Saddam was an ally of the United States.
11. In Baghdad, the Shaheed Monument was constructed to honor Iraqi soldiers who died in the war with Iran.

Saddam’s Military Bunkers and Historical Sites

12. Since the Gulf War, more women have been trafficked as sex slaves.
13. Saddam Hussein’s underground bunkers were said to be almost indestructible, capable of withstanding 2000 kg TNT bombs and were located 90 meters underground.
14. The company that built Saddam’s bunkers had previously built air raid shelters for Nazi Germany.
15. Saddam’s specially built bunker wasn’t just for hiding; it included a swimming pool, entertainment rooms, a high-end kitchen, and even a nursery.
16. The bunker’s “war room” was equipped with the latest technology to allow Saddam to monitor surface activities.
17. Saddam’s underground tunnels and bunkers were built by Yugoslav engineers during the 1970s and 1980s.
18. Baghdad is believed to have a legendary maze-like underground tunnel network stretching for kilometers, housing thousands of people, hospitals, and military headquarters.
19. These bunkers and tunnels were built under Saddam’s orders, funded by oil, and used for self-preservation during the war.
20. Iraq is the birthplace of the earliest writing systems and historical records.
21. Iraq is an Arab country, officially named the Republic of Iraq.
22. The capital, Baghdad, is located in the central-eastern part of the country.
23. Iraq has a narrow 58-kilometer coastline along the Persian Gulf.
24. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are Iraq’s two main rivers, making the land incredibly fertile.

The Cradle of Civilization

25. Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) is considered one of the cradles of civilization.
26. Historically, Iraq was home to empires like the Akkadians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Sumerians.
27. Iraq has an estimated 150 billion barrels of oil reserves, ranking fifth in the world, just behind countries like Venezuela.
28. Iraq is predominantly a Shia Muslim country.
29. According to Islamic tradition, Noah’s Ark was built in the city of Kufa, Iraq.
30. A rare weather phenomenon causes heavy rainfall and hail, forming ice-water rivers that cross the desert.
31. The Iraqi Constitution is the country’s fundamental legal framework.
32. During the Golden Age of Islam, Baghdad was a center of learning and was the largest multicultural city in medieval times.
33. Iraq’s first oil well was successfully drilled in 1927 at the Baba Dome.
34. Iraq’s female illiteracy rate is double that of men.
35. The Iraq War began on March 20, 2003.
36. This invasion was supported by a coalition of 35 nations, with the U.S., United Kingdom, and Australia as the main forces.
37. Early on, precision bombs were targeted at Saddam’s underground bunker where he was meeting with officials.
38. On April 4, U.S. forces captured Baghdad International Airport.
39. On April 9, the U.S. forces took control of Baghdad after fierce resistance.
40. By early 2007, at least 3,000 U.S. soldiers and hundreds of coalition soldiers had been killed in the war.
41. The Iraq War is also known as the Second Gulf War.

Human Costs and Consequences of the War

42. Between 150,000 and 600,000 Iraqis died in the first 3 to 4 years of the war.
43. In December 2003, U.S. forces captured Saddam Hussein during Operation Red Dawn.
44. By December 2011, U.S. troops had fully withdrawn from Iraq.
45. In the early stages of the war, most of the Iraqi army did not resist the coalition forces, but Saddam’s “Death Squads” caused significant resistance to the U.S. forces.
46. President George W. Bush claimed before the war that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction threatening global security, but no evidence was found, leading to political debates in the U.S. in 2004.
47. Maqam is the name of traditional Iraqi music, derived from Arabic poetry.
48. In Iraq, eating with the left hand is considered rude.
49. Nearly half of married couples in Iraq are first- or second-degree cousins.
50. Archaeologist Leonard Woolley believed that “horoscopes” and “fear of black cats” originated in Iraq.
51. Honey production and trade are vital industries in Iraq, regarded as a cure for ailments such as headaches and arthritis, though multiple wars have impacted this industry.
52. Iraq is one of the top three producers of dates in the world, rich in minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.
53. The Epic of Gilgamesh, originating from ancient Mesopotamia (now Iraq), is considered the earliest great literary work (circa 2100 BC).
54. In 1979, Iraq banned movies about karate, a rather strange law.

Iraq – Country Overview

• Independence: October 3, 1932 (from the United Kingdom)
• Capital: Baghdad (33°20′N 44°26′E)
• Largest City: Baghdad (33°20′N 44°26′E)
• Area: Total: 438,317 square kilometers, Land: 437,367 square kilometers, Water: 950 square kilometers
• Population: 46,042,015 (projected 2024)
• Literacy Rate: 85.6%
• Official Languages: Arabic, Kurdish
• Currency: Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
• Government: Federal parliamentary republic
• President: Abdul Latif Rashid
• Prime Minister: Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani
• Religion: Islam
• Life Expectancy: 73.7 years (2024)
• Natural Resources: Oil, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur
• Agricultural Land: 18.1%

Iraq is a country full of deep history, geopolitical complexity, and unique cultural landmarks. Exploring Iraq offers insights into the formation of early civilizations, the impacts of modern warfare, and a rich heritage that continues to shape its people and culture.

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