britton1

Iraq Modern Iraq covers almost the same area as ancient Mesopotamia, which centered on the land between the Tigres and the Euphrates Rivers. Mesopotamia, also referred to as the Fertile Crescent, was an important center of early civilization and saw the rise and fall of many cultures and settlements. In the medieval era, Iraq was the name of an Arab province that made up the southern half of the modern-day country. In today's Republic of Iraq, where Islam is the state religion and claims the beliefs of 95 percent of the population, the majority of Iraqis identify with Arab culture. The second-largest cultural group is the Kurds, who are in the highlands and mountain valleys of the north in a politically autonomous settlement. The Kurds occupy the provinces of As Sulaymaniyah, Dahuk and Irbil, the area of which is commonly referred to as Kurdistan. The average temperatures in Iraq range from higher than 48 degree C (120 Fahrenheit) in July and August to below freezing in January. A majority of the rainfall occurs from December through April and is more abundant in the mountainous region and may reach 100 centimeters a year in some places. POPULATION
 * **Major Government**
 * parliamentary democracy
 * **Major Religions**
 * Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3%
 * **Languages Spoken**
 * Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian
 * **Current leader or president :Jalal Talabani** born November 12, 1933) is the current
 * **Brief history of the country including any important people and major wars**
 * **climate**
 * 31,494,287**

>> || Total Energy Consumption in Iran, by Type (2007) ||` > > > Read more: []
 * **Geography**
 * || Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of military strongmen ruled the country, the latest was SADDAM Husayn.
 * **Major Resources**
 * || Iran, one of OPEC’s founding members, holds the world’s third-largest proven oil reserves and the world’s second-largest natural gas reserves. ||
 * || Iran, one of OPEC’s founding members, holds the world’s third-largest proven oil reserves and the world’s second-largest natural gas reserves. ||
 * [[image:http://www.eia.doe.gov/cabs/Iran/images/10-01%20iran%20-%20Total%20energy%20consumption%20(intro).gif caption="Total Energy Consumption in Iran, by Type (2007)"]] ||
 * MAJOR attractions
 * IRAQ HISTORY MUSEUM This museum is located next to the medersa, in the city center. The place left us a bad feeling, especially because it has many exemples of the damages of war. A sad exhibition shows models of public building before and after the bombing. To talk with the guard was also very informative as he had fought in Kuweit. Overall the museum is very interesting if you want to know more about what has happened in the country for the past 10 years.