Historical background

Iraq, or more officially known as the Republic of Iraq, is a country in the Middle East spanning in the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range and the eastern part of the Syrian Desert. Its borders are shared with Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the west, Syria to the northwest, Turkey to the north, and Iran to the east.

 The country has two flowing rivers – the Tigris and the Euphrates. During Iraq’s long history, it has become part of different empires, including the Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Macedonian, Parthian, Arab, Ottoman, and British empires.