Discover Fascinating Iraq Facts

Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Iraq.

Iraq

Background

๐ŸŒ A Journey Through Iraq's History ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ถ
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! ๐Ÿš€
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. ๐Ÿ›๏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

๐ŸŒ Iraq's Exports Breakdown! ๐Ÿคฉ In 2022, Iraq was busy trading some exciting commodities! Hereโ€™s 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! ๐ŸŒŸ

Number of Export Commodities

5

Exports - partners

๐ŸŒ 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. ๐Ÿฆ Here are the key players:

  • India: 32% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • China: 28% ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • United States: 8% ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
  • South Korea: 7% ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
  • Greece: 5% ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท

Together, these countries make a big impact on Iraq's economy! ๐ŸŽ‰

You can see that India and China are the heavyweights in trade, combining for a whopping 60%! โš–๏ธ

Total Percentage accounted for by top 5 partners

80%

Iraq's Export Partners (2022)

Capital

๐ŸŒ 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! ๐Ÿ•Œโœจ

Imports - commodities

In 2022, Iraq's economy saw a blend of various imported goods that keeps it running! Letโ€™s dive into the main commodities that made their way into the country: ๐Ÿššโœจ

  • Refined Petroleum: A vital resource for energy and transportation!
  • Broadcasting Equipment: Helping people stay connected through media! ๐Ÿ“บ
  • Cars: Fueling the roads with the latest wheels! ๐Ÿš—
  • Jewelry: Adding sparkle and shine to lives! ๐Ÿ’
  • Garments: Bringing in different styles and fashions! ๐Ÿ‘—

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! ๐ŸŒต 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. ๐Ÿ”๏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. ๐ŸŒŠ 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! ๐ŸŽฉ

  1. Chief of State: The President is Latif RASHID, who has been in office since 13 October 2022.
  2. 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! ๐ŸŒ

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! ๐Ÿ›๏ธ๐Ÿค 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

๐ŸŒ Iraq's Valuable Natural Resources ๐ŸŒ

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! ๐Ÿš€

Key Natural Resources

Petroleum, Natural Gas, Phosphates, Sulfur

Economic overview

๐ŸŒ Iraq has a highly oil-dependent economy, which means that oil is super important for making money! ๐Ÿ’ฐ But this also brings challenges, as the economy's health can change a lot based on oil prices. ๐Ÿ“ˆ 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! ๐Ÿ˜ƒ However, the country faces some serious challenges:

  • Most sectors rely on imports, which means they need to bring in goods from other countries. ๐Ÿšข
  • There are ongoing issues like corruption, informal markets where rules donโ€™t apply, and difficulties accessing banking services. ๐Ÿฆ
  • Political fragility also adds to the mix of challenges. โš ๏ธ

Iraq's economy is working hard to navigate these waters and create a brighter future! ๐ŸŒŸ

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

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ถ 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. ๐Ÿ›๏ธ Power to the people, right? This system aims to represent the diverse interests of the countryโ€™s population, making it easier for different regions to have a say in their governance. ๐ŸŒ

Ethnic groups

In Iraq, the population is made up of a rich tapestry of ethnic groups! ๐ŸŽ‰ Here's how it breaks down:

  • Arabs make up 75% to 80% of the population, which is a large majority! ๐Ÿ•Œ
  • Kurds account for 15% to 20%, making them an important part of the country's identity. ๐Ÿ”๏ธ
  • The other groups, including Turkmen, Yezidi, Shabak, Kaka'i, Bedouin, Romani, Assyrian, Circassian, Sabaean-Mandaean, and Persian, represent 5%. ๐ŸŒ

This diversity is a big part of what makes Iraq unique and vibrant! โœจ

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! ๐ŸŒ™โœจ 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! ๐Ÿ™

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 ๐ŸŒ

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! ๐ŸŒŸ

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! ๐ŸŒ Check out the breakdown of where Iraq gets its imports:

  • UAE: 32% ๐Ÿ—๏ธ
  • China: 21% ๐Ÿ‰
  • Turkey: 20% ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
  • India: 4% ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ
  • South Korea: 2% ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท

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! ๐Ÿฐ

Iraq's Import Partners (2022)

Population

Did you know that Iraq has a total population of 42,083,436 people? ๐ŸŒ 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! ๐ŸŽ‰

Total Population of Iraq

42,083,436

Area

๐ŸŒ Iraq's Area Breakdown ๐ŸŒŠ

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 ๐ŸŒณ, perfect for exploring.
  • Water Area: Just 950 sq km ๐Ÿ’ง, where you can find rivers and lakes.

This gives a great sense of how much space there is in Iraq - itโ€™s a land of plenty!

Total Area

438317 sq km

Land Area

437367 sq km

Water Area

950 sq km

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

๐Ÿ’ฐ 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. ๐Ÿ“‰ Interestingly, the overall trend shows a positive shift in 2022 compared to 2021, indicating growth before a small decline earlier this year. ๐ŸŒŸ

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 ๐Ÿ“Š

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. Hereโ€™s 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! Itโ€™s quite like a roller coaster ride, isnโ€™t it? ๐ŸŽข

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

๐ŸŒ 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. ๐Ÿ“ˆ 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

๐Ÿ“ˆ Let's dive into Iraq's export data! Hereโ€™s 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! ๐ŸŒŸ This shows that Iraq is making strides in its economy, increasing its trade with other countries. ๐ŸŒ

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

๐ŸŒฑ 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. ๐Ÿ“ˆ

Projected population growth rate for 2024

1.99%