About Iraq
The land between two rivers
Iraq sits at the heart of the Middle East, where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers carve a fertile plain through the land once called Mesopotamia.
It is a country of deep history and warm welcomes — a place where ancient ruins sit beside modern cities and where hospitality is a way of life.
01History
Seven thousand years of history
Sumer, Akkad, Babylon and Assyria rose here; Baghdad later became the capital of the Islamic Golden Age.
The first cities, writing in cuneiform, the wheel and early codes of law all emerged in Mesopotamia. Later, under the Abbasids, Baghdad's House of Wisdom was a beacon of science and philosophy.
02Culture
A mosaic of cultures
Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Assyrians, Yazidis, Mandaeans and more contribute to Iraq's rich cultural life.
Poetry holds a special place — Iraq gave the world poets from al-Mutanabbi to Badr Shakir al-Sayyab. Music, calligraphy and craftwork thrive across the country.
03Geography
Mountains, rivers, marshes and desert
From the Zagros mountains in the north to the marshes and the Gulf in the south.
The north is mountainous and green; the centre is a broad alluvial plain; the west is desert; the south holds the great marshes and the Shatt al-Arab.
04People
The famous Iraqi welcome
Visitors are consistently struck by the generosity of Iraqis — expect to be invited for tea.
Arabic and Kurdish are the official languages. English is increasingly spoken by younger people and in the tourism sector.
05Food
Flavours of Mesopotamia
Masgouf, dolma, kubba, quzi, fresh dates and endless glasses of sweet tea.
Breakfast of geymar and date syrup, lunch as the main meal of the day, and late dinners shared with family.
06Travel information
Planning your trip
Major airports are Baghdad, Erbil, Basra, Najaf and Sulaymaniyah.
- Currency: Iraqi dinar (IQD); carry cash.
- Best time: October–April (south & centre), March–June (Kurdistan).
- Time zone: UTC+3.
- Electricity: 230V, plug types C, D and G.
Visa and entry rules change — always check official guidance before travel.
07Good to know
Things visitors should know
A few simple customs will make your trip smoother and more rewarding.
- Dress modestly, and wear an abaya at major shrines (women).
- Ask before photographing people, and avoid photographing checkpoints.
- Friday is the weekly holiday; many businesses close until afternoon.
- During Ramadan, avoid eating in public during daylight hours.
- Travel with a licensed local guide in less-visited areas.
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