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The historical name for the region is Mesopotamia, the land
between two rivers (Tigris and Euphrates), and thought to be the cradle of civilisation.
Quick Links
Iraq Travel and Tourist Information with links
to official travel and tourism websites and state resources for visitors
to Iraq.
Brief Iraqi History, Iraqi Network, Iraqi Politics, Iraq Travel Guides,
Map of Iraq, Visiting Iraq.
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
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:
Aiding Gulf War veterans in their pursuit for the truth.
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:
News from the United Nations.
Weather in the Middle East:
Local weather forecasts for destinations around the Middle East.
Iraqi National
Congress:
The main opposition group during Saddam Hussein's rule in Iraq; after America, Iran and
Kuwait.
Iraqi News:
English-language online newspaper that covers a range of Iraqi issues, including business,
politics, security, social issues, culture, entertainment and sport.
The Iraq Foundation:
A non-profit, non-governmental organisation working for democracy and human rights in
Iraq. Plenty of news.
The best time to visit Iraq is in Spring and Winter. Travelling to
Iraq in Summer is not recommended as temperatures soar to 48c.
Language
Most Iraqi people speak a little English and are exceptionally
helpful, especially to foreigners.
Sightseeing
Iraq is full of ancient sites from the dawn of civilisation.
Fruit
Make sure to taste the different varieties of Iraqi dates as they are
exceptionally delicious. Also citrus fruits like oranges, they taste exquisite.
Special Note:
Every visitor to Iraq is tested for AIDS and the fee for the test is around $50 per
person.
IraqNet:
IraqNet aims to bring Iraqis scattered around the globe, to one place; to share ideas,
discuss Iraqi concerns, meet old friends, make new ones, or just hang out.
Middle East Index -
Middle East Tourism -
Middle East Websites.
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