Country Information
| Sovereign State | Yes |
| Country Codes | IQ, IRQ |
| Official Name | Republic of Iraq |
| Continent | Asia |
| Capital | Baghdad |
| Government Type | Federal Parliamentary Republic |
| Currency | Iraqi Dinar (IQD) |
| Calling Code | +964 |
| Member Of | United Nations, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, OPEC |
| Population | Approximately 40 million (as of 2023) |
| Total Area | Around 438,317 square kilometers |
| Highest Point | Cheekha Dar (3,611 meters or 11,847 feet) |
| Lowest Point | Persian Gulf (sea level) |
| GDP Per Capita | Estimated around $5,800 USD |
| Life Expectancy | Around 70 years |
| Internet TLD | .iq |
Iraqi National Anthem
Mawtini (My Homeland)
My homeland, my homeland, glory and beauty, sublimity and splendor,
Are in your hills, are in your hills.
Life and deliverance, pleasure and hope, are in your air, are in your air.
Will I see you? Will I see you? Safe and comforted, sound and honored,
Will I see you in your eminence, reaching to the stars, reaching to the stars?
My homeland, my homeland.
Flags of Neighboring Countries
History of the Iraqi Flag
The flag of Iraq has a rich history, reflecting the country’s diverse heritage and political changes. The current flag was adopted on January 22, 2008, but its roots trace back to the Arab Liberation movement.
The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of red, white, and black, inspired by the Arab Liberation Flag. The central white stripe bears the Takbir (“Allahu Akbar” in Arabic script), meaning “God is the Greatest,” in green, symbolizing Islam.
The colors of the flag are pan-Arab colors, representing Arab unity and freedom. The red stripe symbolizes bravery and sacrifice, white represents generosity and peace, while black stands for the defeat of oppression.
Iraq’s flag has undergone several modifications since its first iteration in 1921. The original flag was a black-yellow-white horizontal tricolor. Subsequent designs incorporated the pan-Arab colors and symbols. The Takbir was added to the flag in 1991, during the Gulf War, to garner military support and bolster religious sentiment.
The current design was intended to be a temporary solution amidst political changes following the 2003 invasion of Iraq. However, it has persisted, symbolizing Iraq’s complex history and its aspirations for unity and sovereignty.
The flag’s evolution reflects Iraq’s tumultuous history, marked by colonialism, revolution, and conflict. Each change mirrors a significant era in Iraqi history, from monarchy to republic, from Ba’athist rule to a new era post-Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi flag stands as a testament to the nation’s resilience and enduring spirit in the face of adversity.