|
|
Iraq tourist information with details about travel to and around the country. Where to stay and what to see is made easier with insider tips and hand-selected Iraq links, by dedicated editors and visitors to TravelNotes.org - The Online Guide to Travel.
The historical name for the region is Mesopotamia, the land between two rivers (Tigris and Euphrates), and thought to be the cradle of civilisation. Countries neighbouring Iraq are: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey and Iran.
It is believed that land was cultivated here back in 4,000 BC, long before the glories of Babylonia, and Nebuchadnezzar II's famous Hanging Gardens. Evidence of the historic Christian presence in Iraq can be be seen through the Chaldani Church, in Mosul, northern Iraq. Some Christian minorities still exist in predominantly Muslim Iraq, such as the Chaldean and Syrian Catholics. Modern Iraq's history begins with the last phase of Turkish rule: Sultan Ali Reza Pasha deposed the last Mameluke ruler, Daud Pasha, in 1831, and the province of Iraq became subject to Turkish administration. Britain and Germany rivalled each other for the commercial development of Mesopotamia during the latter part of the 19th century. The British were interested in Iraq as a direct overland route to India, and established a steamship company for the navigation of the Tigris, to the port of Al Basrah, in 1861. Germany, meanwhile, planned to construct a railway in the Middle East that would extend from Berlin to Baghdad. During the First World War, British forces invaded Southern Mesopotamia to counter Turkey's allegiance with Germany, and pushed up to occupy Baghdad by March 1917. All of Mesopotamia then became a British mandate in October 1918, after successful campaigns directed by Lawrence of Arabia. When Iraq entered the League of Nations as a free and independent state, in 1932, the British mandate was formally terminated. Following the termination of the British protectorate over the emirate of Kuwait, on June 25, 1960, Iraq claimed the area had been part of the Iraqi state at the time of its formation. British forces entered Kuwait in July 1960, at the invitation of the ruler, and the UN Security Council declined the Iraqi request to order their withdrawal. And of course history repeated itself on August 2nd 1990, when Saddam's Republican Army invaded Kuwait, with an allied Desert Storm to follow. Gulf War Veterans: George Bush Junior followed in his father's footsteps and, together with the British, sent in the troops to remove Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party from power in 2003. The
Current Situation in Iraq: Weather in IraqView a graphical weather forecast for the week ahead in places around Iraq. Al Basrah Weather, Baghdad Weather. Iraqi National Congress: The Iraq Foundation: Visiting Iraq - by Iraqi Pages The best time to visit Iraq is in Spring and Winter. Travelling to Iraq in Summer is not recommended as temperatures soar to 48c. LanguageMost Iraqi people speak a little English and are exceptionally helpful, especially to foreigners. SightseeingIraq is full of ancient sites from the dawn of civilisation. FruitMake sure to taste the different varieties of Iraqi dates as they are exceptionally delicious. Also citrus fruits like oranges, they taste exquisite. Special Note: IraqNet: Iraq Country Study: Iraq Travel Guides Books
on Iraq Travel:
|
Travel Articles
|
