Discover Fascinating Iraq Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Iraq.
Iraq
Background
๐ A Journey Through Iraq's History ๐ฎ๐ถ
Iraq has an interesting past! It was once part of the Ottoman Empire, but in 1920, it became a League of Nations mandate under British control. After a little over a decade, in 1932, Iraq achieved independence and became a kingdom. Fast forward to 1958, Iraq transformed into a republic! ๐
However, things got tough when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, leading to a time of uncertainty as the country worked to set up a government that represented its people. ๐๏ธ
Year of Ottoman Empire dissolution
1920
Year Iraq gained independence
1932
Year Iraq was proclaimed a republic
1958
Year of Kuwait invasion
1990
Exports - commodities
๐ Iraq's Exports Breakdown! ๐คฉ In 2022, Iraq was busy trading some exciting commodities! Hereโs a quick look at what they exported:
- Crude Petroleum
- Refined Petroleum
- Gold
- Petroleum Coke
- Natural Gas
Each of these plays a big role in the economy and shows what Iraq has to offer to the world! ๐
Number of Export Commodities
5
Exports - partners
๐ Let's take a look at Iraq's top export partners in 2022! The percentages show how much each country contributes to Iraq's total exports. ๐ฆ Here are the key players:
- India: 32% ๐ฎ๐ณ
- China: 28% ๐จ๐ณ
- United States: 8% ๐บ๐ธ
- South Korea: 7% ๐ฐ๐ท
- Greece: 5% ๐ฌ๐ท
Together, these countries make a big impact on Iraq's economy! ๐
You can see that India and China are the heavyweights in trade, combining for a whopping 60%! โ๏ธ
Total Percentage accounted for by top 5 partners
80%
Iraq's Export Partners (2022)
Capital
๐ The capital of Iraq is Baghdad! It's known for its rich history and vibrant culture. Baghdad has been a center of learning and civilization for many centuries. Its beautiful architecture and lively markets attract visitors from all over the world! ๐โจ
Imports - commodities
In 2022, Iraq's economy saw a blend of various imported goods that keeps it running! Letโs dive into the main commodities that made their way into the country: ๐โจ
- Refined Petroleum: A vital resource for energy and transportation!
- Broadcasting Equipment: Helping people stay connected through media! ๐บ
- Cars: Fueling the roads with the latest wheels! ๐
- Jewelry: Adding sparkle and shine to lives! ๐
- Garments: Bringing in different styles and fashions! ๐
These imports represent Iraq's diverse needs and help boost its economy. Each of these categories plays an essential role in its development!
Climate
Iraq is a fascinating place when it comes to its climate! ๐ต It is mostly a desert, which means it has very little rain and plenty of sun. The winters are mild to cool, making it a nice time to visit. โ๏ธ However, during the summer, things can get really hot with dry and cloudless skies. โ๏ธ
But wait, there's more! The northern mountainous regions, especially near the borders with Iran and Turkey, experience much colder winters. ๐๏ธ Sometimes, they get heavy snows that melt in early spring. This melting can lead to extensive flooding in central and southern parts of Iraq. ๐ So, while the south may be sizzling, the north could be chilly and even snowy! How cool is that?
Executive branch
The Executive branch of Iraq is led by two key figures! ๐ฉ
- Chief of State: The President is Latif RASHID, who has been in office since 13 October 2022.
- Head of Government: The Prime Minister is Mohammed Shia al-SUDANI, who has taken charge since 27 October 2022.
These leaders play essential roles in guiding the country and making important decisions! ๐
Current President
Latif RASHID
President since
13 October 2022
Current Prime Minister
Mohammed Shia al-SUDANI
Prime Minister since
27 October 2022
Legislative branch
In Iraq, the legislative branch is known as the unicameral Council of Representatives. This means there is only one house that makes the laws and has 329 seats available for representatives! ๐๏ธ๐ค Each of these representatives plays an important role in helping shape the country's future.
Total seats in the Council of Representatives
329
Natural resources
๐ Iraq's Valuable Natural Resources ๐
Iraq is rich in natural resources that play a huge part in its economy! Here are some of the key resources:
- Petroleum: One of the most significant resources, fueling industries and economies.
- Natural Gas: An essential energy source and a key part of the global market.
- Phosphates: Important for agriculture as they are used in fertilizers.
- Sulfur: A crucial element in various chemical processes and products.
These resources not only highlight Iraq's geological abundance but also its importance in the global market! ๐
Key Natural Resources
Petroleum, Natural Gas, Phosphates, Sulfur
Economic overview
๐ Iraq has a highly oil-dependent economy, which means that oil is super important for making money! ๐ฐ But this also brings challenges, as the economy's health can change a lot based on oil prices. ๐ If oil prices go up, things might look good, but if they drop, it can be tough!
Despite these ups and downs, there's rising public confidence in Iraq's economic conditions โ that's a positive sign! ๐ However, the country faces some serious challenges:
- Most sectors rely on imports, which means they need to bring in goods from other countries. ๐ข
- There are ongoing issues like corruption, informal markets where rules donโt apply, and difficulties accessing banking services. ๐ฆ
- Political fragility also adds to the mix of challenges. โ ๏ธ
Iraq's economy is working hard to navigate these waters and create a brighter future! ๐
Economic Dependence on Oil
Highly oil-dependent
Public Confidence Trend
Rising
Main Economic Challenges
Corruption, informal markets, banking access, political fragility
Sector Import Dependency
Most sectors import-dependent
Government type
๐ฎ๐ถ Iraq operates as a federal parliamentary republic! This means that power is shared between a federal government and various regional governments, while the parliament plays a vital role in making laws and overseeing the government. ๐๏ธ Power to the people, right? This system aims to represent the diverse interests of the countryโs population, making it easier for different regions to have a say in their governance. ๐
Ethnic groups
In Iraq, the population is made up of a rich tapestry of ethnic groups! ๐ Here's how it breaks down:
- Arabs make up 75% to 80% of the population, which is a large majority! ๐
- Kurds account for 15% to 20%, making them an important part of the country's identity. ๐๏ธ
- The other groups, including Turkmen, Yezidi, Shabak, Kaka'i, Bedouin, Romani, Assyrian, Circassian, Sabaean-Mandaean, and Persian, represent 5%. ๐
This diversity is a big part of what makes Iraq unique and vibrant! โจ
Percentage of Arabs in Iraq
75-80%
Percentage of Kurds in Iraq
15-20%
Percentage of Other Ethnic Groups in Iraq
5%
Ethnic Groups in Iraq
Religions
In Iraq, the religious landscape is predominantly Muslim, making up a whopping 95-98% of the population! ๐โจ This Muslim majority is further divided into different sects, with Shia Muslims leading at 61-64% and Sunni Muslims following with 29-34%.
Apart from Islam, there is a small Christian community, which represents about 1% of the population. This group includes various denominations such as Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and the Assyrian Church of the East. Lastly, there is a tiny percentage categorized as 'other,' which is between 1-4%. Overall, Iraq's rich and diverse religion tapestry tells a fascinating story of faith! ๐
Percentage of Shia Muslims
61-64%
Percentage of Sunni Muslims
29-34%
Percentage of Christians
1%
Percentage of Other Religions
1-4%
Religious Distribution in Iraq
Languages
Languages of Iraq ๐
Iraq is a melting pot of languages! The official languages are Arabic and Kurdish. In addition, Turkmen (a Turkish dialect) and Syriac (Neo-Aramaic) are recognized as official languages in areas where their native speakers live. This rich linguistic diversity reflects the country's cultural heritage! ๐
Official Languages
2 (Arabic and Kurdish)
Recognized Languages in Specific Regions
2 (Turkmen and Syriac)
Imports - partners
When it comes to Iraq's imports, the country relies on several key partners! ๐ Check out the breakdown of where Iraq gets its imports:
- UAE: 32% ๐๏ธ
- China: 21% ๐
- Turkey: 20% ๐น๐ท
- India: 4% ๐ฎ๐ณ
- South Korea: 2% ๐ฐ๐ท
Isn't it interesting to see how diverse Iraq's trading partners are? This pie chart will show you just how much each country contributes to Iraq's imports! ๐ฐ
Iraq's Import Partners (2022)
Population
Did you know that Iraq has a total population of 42,083,436 people? ๐ That's a lot of people living together in one country! Each individual contributes to the rich culture, history, and diversity of Iraq. This number shows just how vibrant and full of life the country is! ๐
Total Population of Iraq
42,083,436
Area
๐ Iraq's Area Breakdown ๐
Iraq is a beautiful country with a total area of 438,317 sq km! Let's break that down:
- Land Area: A vast 437,367 sq km ๐ณ, perfect for exploring.
- Water Area: Just 950 sq km ๐ง, where you can find rivers and lakes.
This gives a great sense of how much space there is in Iraq - itโs a land of plenty!
Total Area
438317 sq km
Land Area
437367 sq km
Water Area
950 sq km
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ฐ Let's take a closer look at Iraq's Real GDP, measured using purchasing power parity (PPP). This is a way of comparing the economic productivity of countries by taking into account the costs of living and inflation rates. Here's how Iraq's economy has been doing over the past few years:
- 2021: $548.372 billion
- 2022: $590.267 billion
- 2023: $572.939 billion
You can see that in 2022, Iraq's GDP peaked at $590.267 billion, before slightly dropping in 2023. ๐ Interestingly, the overall trend shows a positive shift in 2022 compared to 2021, indicating growth before a small decline earlier this year. ๐
GDP in 2023
$572.939 billion
GDP in 2022
$590.267 billion
GDP in 2021
$548.372 billion
Iraq's Real GDP (PPP) Over Time
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per Capita in Iraq ๐
Let's dive into the numbers showing how much money each person in Iraq makes on average! This is called the Real GDP per capita. Hereโs a look at the estimated values over the last few years:
- 2023: $12,600
- 2022: $13,300
- 2021: $12,600
Looks like in 2022, people earned a little more than in the surrounding years! Itโs quite like a roller coaster ride, isnโt it? ๐ข
With these numbers, we can visualize the changes in income over the past years!
GDP per Capita in 2023
$12,600
GDP per Capita in 2022
$13,300
GDP per Capita in 2021
$12,600
Real GDP per Capita in Iraq (2021 - 2023)
Imports
๐ Iraq's imports tell an interesting story! In 2022, Iraq imported goods worth $69.162 billion, which is an increase from $50.707 billion in 2021 and $54.865 billion in 2020. ๐ This shows that the country is growing and trading more each year! Let's look at this trend more clearly.
Import Value in 2022
$69.162 billion
Import Value in 2021
$50.707 billion
Import Value in 2020
$54.865 billion
Iraq Imports Over the Years
Exports
๐ Let's dive into Iraq's export data! Hereโs how much Iraq exported in recent years:
- 2020: $50.666 billion
- 2021: $78.261 billion
- 2022: $127.079 billion
As you can see, the exports have been growing consistently! ๐ This shows that Iraq is making strides in its economy, increasing its trade with other countries. ๐
Exports in 2020
50.666 billion dollars
Exports in 2021
78.261 billion dollars
Exports in 2022
127.079 billion dollars
Iraq's Exports Over Time
Population growth rate
๐ฑ Did you know that Iraq's population is projected to grow at an amazing rate of 1.99% in 2024? This means more friends and families are coming together in this beautiful country! Let's take a closer look at what this growth means for the future of Iraq. ๐
Projected population growth rate for 2024
1.99%