The Federal Republic of Iraq publicly known as Iraq is a nation in Middle East. The geographical boundary of Iraq spreads in the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the Eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the southern part of the Arabian Desert. The countries that border Iraq are Turkey to the North, Syria to the northwest, Jordan to the west, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to the south and Iran to the East. Iraq has very narrow coastline at Umm Quasar on the Persian Gulf. Two major rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates flow through Iraq. These rivers make Iraq agriculturally capable in contrast to the deserted landscape that comprises the majority of the Middle East. Iraq is rich in Oil reserves; it comes 2nd after Iran. Iraq offers desert climate, winters are cool, and summers are dry, hot and cloudless. The northern mountainous regions experience cold winters with occasional heavy snows, sometimes results in extensive flood.

Iraq is a culturally rich nation, it has made of five cultures Kurdish in the north centered on Arbil, Sunni Islamic Arabs in the center around Baghdad, Shi'a Islamic Arabs in the south centered on Basra, the Assyrians, a Christian people, living in various cities in the north, and the Marsh Arabs, a nomadic people, who live on the marshlands of the central river. The Bedouin tribes live mainly in southern and western Iraq, but also spread in small groups throughout the country.

Approximately 75 percent people living in Iraq are Arabs. The other ethnic groups are Kurds constitutes about 25% Iraqi population. Assyrians, Iraqi Turkmen and others constitute to 5%; these people mainly live in north and northeast part of the country.

Arbic and Kurdish are official languages. Assyriyan and Turkmen are also used as official languages where Assyrians and Iraqi Turkmen live. Armenian and Persian are also spoken up to some extent. English is the most commonly spoken foreign language in Iraq.

Iraq was under dictatorship of Baath party from 1968 to 2003. Both the Baath party and the Iraqi government was controlled by Saddam Hussain from 1979 to 2003. Iraq administration was governed by constitution adopted in 1969. The Saddam Hussain government was toppled in 2003 as a result of US led coalition invasion. The coalition founded the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) headed by US administrator L.Paul Bremer III. The CPA selected a 25-member Iraqi governing council, with seats distributed among the country’s different religious and ethnic groups as well as existing political organizations. The Iraqi governing council has approved an interim Iraqi constitution, also known as the Transitional Administrative Law, in March 2004.

The new interim government in Iraq was formed on June 1, 2004 and Iraqi governing council was resolved. A Prime Minister and a President head this new government. On June 28, the CPA was dissolved and sovereignty to the new Iraqi interim government was formally transferred. General elections to select a National Assembly in Iraq were held in January 2005. The new elected parliament has defined the language of constitution. The new Iraqi constitution mentions that Islam is the state religion, the civil parliament may pass no legislation contrary to the established rules of Islam, and Iraqis may opt to be judged by their religious community’s canon law in matters of personal status. At the same time, the new constitution guarantees the civil liberties. The new constitution also gives more freedom to provinces. Now provinces have full ownership of oil reserves confined in the individual regions. Iraq has 18 provinces of which 3 are officially designated as a Kurdish autonomous region. The Kurdish autonomous region came into existence in 1970 has an elected legislature. Under Saddam Hussein led Baath regime, receiving military training in Iraq was compulsory for every male once he reached 18 yeas of age. Now military training is not compulsory under new constitution.

The economy of Iraq is largely dominated by petroleum. Petroleum and petroleum products earn 95% foreign exchange. Iraq has suffered massive losses due to many series of wars and other disturbances. Agriculture also dominates the Iraqi economy. Approximately 13% Iraq’s’ land is cultivable. The nomadic and semi nomadic people of Iraq grow livestock like Sheep, goats, cattle, and poultry. The world-famous Arabian horse is extensively bred here.