|
 |
 | Republic of Iraq |
|
| Location: |
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait |
|
| Area: |
437,072 sq km |
|
| 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 that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq |
|
| Terrain: |
mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey |
|
| Population: |
22,427,150 (July 1999 est.) |
|
| Religions: |
Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3% |
|
| Languages: |
Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian |
|
| Capital: |
Baghdad |
|
