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Location
Iraq is situated in the northwest end of the Arabian Gulf, covering
an area of 438.317 Square Kilometers. Iraq is bordered on the north
by Turkey, on the east by Iran, on the southeast by the Arabian
Gulf, on the south by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and on the west by
Syria and Jordan. Its highest point of elevation is the peak Halgurd
in Kurdistan, at 3611 meters and its lowest point is at sea level.
There are two major rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates, running
north to south. The two rivers converge in the Shatt al Arab at
Qurna which legend assumes to be the Garden of Eden.
Land Boundaries
Total 3631 km, Iran 1458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 242 km, Saudi
Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 331 km Coastline 58 km.
Population
The population of Iraq is approximately 24.6 million of which about
six million inhabit the capital Baghdad. Other major cities are
Basra (1.5 million), Erbil (1.3 Million), Mosul (1.2 million), and
Karkuk (535.000). The population growth estimated to be 2.78%
(2003).
Infant Mortality Rate
62.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 66.52 years male: 65.54 years female: 67.56 years
Nationality
noun: Iraqi(s)
adjective: Iraqi
Religions
Islam, Christianity, Ezedi, Mandanite, Jewish.
Languages
Arabic and Kurdish (official), Assyrian, Syrial, Armenian, Torkman,
English is widely spoken.
Literacy
Age 15-45 can read and write
Total population: 89%
Male: 90%
Female: 88%
Climate
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 which
melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in
central and southern Iraq.
Economy
Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has
traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange. Iraq's 112
billion barrels of proven reserves are the second largest in the
world after those of Saudi Arabia. Its 110 trillion cubic feet of
natural gas reserves are the tenth largest in the world. Iraq is
also rich in other minerals including sulfur, coal, and phosphates.
Approximately 12% of Iraq's land is arable. The work force is
estimated to have been 4.4 million in 2000. It is estimated that in
1989, about 44% of the workforce was engaged in agriculture, 26% in
industry, and 31% in services.
Gross Domestic Products (GDP), measured by purchasing power parity,
was estimated in 2002 to be some $58 billion. Real (GDP) growth in
1992 was estimated to be (-) 3% and (GDP) per capita were estimated
to be some $2.400 in 2002. The Inflation rate was estimated in 2002
to be 70%. Industry is estimated to account for less than 13% of
(GNP), and agricultural less than 6%. The economic sanctions against
Iraq were lifted by the United Nations in May 2003.
Infrastructure
Through the year 2003 Iraq had 46 thousand kilometers of roads, 2
thousand kilometers of railways, and a thousand kilometers of
navigable waterways. The country also had over 8 thousands miles of
pipeline, including more 5 thousand of which are for oil, nearly 2
thousand for gas, and over a thousand for refined petroleum
products. At the end of 2003, Iraq had seaports (Umm Qasr, Khawr az
Zubayr, and Al-Basra), and 77 airports with paved runway.
Currency and Payments
In October 2003, Iraq put the New Iraqi Dinar into circulation, and
full conversion of the currency was achieved on January,15 2004. The
Central Bank of Iraq conducts auctions of New Iraqi Dinars daily.
Pursuant to this managed float the New Iraqi Dinar (NID) valued at
1,460 per USD.
Government
Founded by consultation between main political parties and UN in 30
June 2004 based on (TAL) Transitional Administrative Law , which was
ratified by Iraqi Governing Council in December 2003. A 100 man
National Assembly elected by a (1500) representative body from the
18 governorates nominated the Interim Assembly. After January 2005
election a 275 seat elected assembly would nominate the President,
two vice president, and form the new government. It is hoped that by
the end of 2005 the new Permanent Constitution - flag, coat of Arms
of Iraq would be founded.
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