Geography

Iraq is bordered to the north by Turkey, to the easy by Iran, to the west by Syrian and Jordan, and to the south by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. It is one of the easternmost countries in the Arab world, and is almost at the same latitude as the United States. Iraq has only 12 miles of coastline extending along the Persian Gulf and can be divided into four major regions: the Tigris-Euphrates alluvial plains in central and southeastern Iraq; Al-Jazïrah, an upland region in the north between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers; deserts in the west and south, covering about two-fifths of the country; and highlands in the northeast. The Tigris-Euphrates river system drains into Iraq, fed by melting winter snow in Turkey, and gives Iraq viable soil, making agriculture a major component of the economy.

Urban and Rural Settlement

Over 3/4 of the population live in an urban environment, mostly in Baghdad, Al-Baṣrah, Mosul, Arbīl, and Al-Sulaymāniyyah. Baghdad is the major metropolis of over 5,000,000 and is the political, economic, and communications hub. Perhaps close to 1/3 of the total population live in Baghdad. Historically, Baghdad sits in the same area as Babylon and the Sāsānian capital, Ctesiphon, and is at the heart of a rich agricultural region and history. Second in the largest population, Mosul sits on the Tigris near the ruins of the ancient Assyrian capital of Nineveh and has recently experienced rapid growth.

Towns, hamlets, and villages, operating similarly to how they did thousands of years ago, comprise the remainder of the population. These are situated throughout Iraq, but mostly in the lowlands and valleys around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Most of these populations depend on agriculture for their survival, excepting Kurdistan, where animal husbandry is the most common livelihood.

Facts About Iraq’s Geography

  • second largest proven reserves of petroleum
  • substantial reserves of natural gas
  • the mountains, hills, and plains of northeastern Iraq occupy about 35,500 square miles (92,000 square km), about one-fifth of the country
  • North and northeast of the Assyrian plains and foothills is Kurdistan, a mountainous region that extends into Turkey and Iran
  • Iraq’s highest point is along the Iran-Iraq border at Ghundah Zhur, which is 11,834 feet (3,607 metres)
  • the Tigris River’s maximum flow is from March to May
  • although the Tigris receives many large and important tributaries, like the Great Zab, Little Zab, and the Diyälä, the Euphrates receives no large tributaries in Iraq and its flow is 50% greater
  • dams form an important role in controlling flooding and permitting irrigation, and Iraq has many giant irrigation projects
  • Area: 437,072 sq. km.; about the size of California.
  • Cities: Capital–Baghdad (5.7 million, 2004 estimate). Other cities–Basrah, Mosul, Kirkuk, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil.
  • Terrain: Alluvial plains, mountains, and desert.
  • Climate: Mostly hot and dry.

Climate and Soil

Iraq has two climatic provinces: the hot, arid lowlands, including the alluvial plains and the deserts; and the damper northeast, where the higher elevation produces cooler temperatures. The lowlands are covered by heavy alluvial soils with a high proportion of clay, suitable for cultivation and use as a building material. There are two seasons, summer and winter, with only short transitional periods between the two. Summer lasts from May to October and is characterized by cloudless skies, hot temperatures, low humidity, and no precipitation from June through September. Temperatures in Baghdad average 95 °F (35 °C), but have been recorded up to 123 °F (51 °C). During the winter, which lasts from December to February, temperatures are mild with bouts of hot and cold, but on average range from 35 to 60 °F (2 to 15 °C). Rain of about 4 to 7 inches (100 to 180 mm) falls between November and April on average.

In the northeast, summer is shorter while the winter lasts longer. Temperatures are about 5-10 degrees cooler and winters are cooler, as well. The rainfall is also greater, sustaining good seasonal pastures.

Common to all of Iraq is the steady northerly and northwesterly wind, the shamäl, which brings extremely dry air and a cloudless sky. Additionally, the sharqï, a southern and southeast blowing wind, brings dust storms throughout the year, but frequently in the summer.

Plant and Animal Life

Due to the drought and Iraq’s terrain, the most common form of wildlife are birds and small animals like badgers, otters, and muskrats. Marcia’s gazelle exists in certain remote deserts. Common to much of the Middle East, the desert locust also lives in Iraq. Few forests exist, aside from a few oak forests in Kurdistan. The most common plants are alpine species in the mountains and shrubs and herbs in the more arid regions, while more types of grasses and plants thrive along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Two of these are licorice and the date palm, which both flourish.

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