2. Flag of IraqFlag of Iraq  The flags of Iraq have different designs on them, since the Kingdom of Iraq was established in 1921.  January 21 st, 2008, was when the new flag was confirmed by the Iraqi Parliament.

3. Three equal horizontal bands of red, white, and black. White – Replace a better future Red – Overcoming through a bloody struggle Black - Oppression The green calligraphy in the middle means “God is Great.”

4. Population  About 30 million people live in Iraq  The growth rate is 2.5% annually.  75 – 80% is Arab, 15-20% is Kurdish, Turkoman, Assyrian, or other is 5%  The birth rate is 29.4/100.  Their life expectancy is 70.2 years.

5. Iraq PopulationIraq Population

6. Language  Arabic is the most dominant language.  Kurdish is the official language in Kurdish regions  Turkmen is a Turkish dialect  Assyrian  Armenian

7. Languages  Arabic  Kurdish AlphabetTurkmen Alphabet

8. Religion  Muslim is the main religion in Iraq, 97% of the population in Iraq is Muslim.  Shia 60-65%  Sunni 32-37%  Christians/Other is 3%

9. Government  Iraq is divided into 18 governorates.  A governorate is an administrative division of a country.  The president is Jalal Talabani since 2005.  The prime minister is Nuri al-Maliki since 2006.

10. Economy  Iraq’s unemployment rate is 15.3%  Labor force: Agriculture is 21.6%, Industry is 18.7%, Services is 59.8%  Petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, and sulfur are some of it’s natural resources.

11. Climate  Mostly desert  Mild to cool winters with dry, hot cloudless summers  The mountainous region along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing flooding in central and southern Iraq.

12. Hospitality  Arab and Muslim Tradition  Visitors are treated as kings and must always be fed and looked after.  Tradition with Islamic people actually lets someone stay in their home for 3 days before they can be question on how long they’ll stay.  Invitations to a home must be considered as a great honor and never turned down.

13. Iraq ClothingIraq Clothing  Women in Iraq cover their entire body, especially when leaving home.  It’s the country’s belief that this type of dress protects the women and discourages men from having sexual thoughts.  The Hijab is known as a veil, it’s a dark fabric that wraps around the face, leaving only a small amount of skin exposed.

14. Iraq ClothingIraq Clothing  Traditional clothing is a long dress that reaches a woman’s ankle, a scarf that covers the face, and another scarf that covers the chin.  Younger women are allowed to wear different dresses inside their own home and only wear the traditional dress when walking outside of the home.

16. Greetings  Most common greeting is the handshake, eye contact, and a smile.  Good friends of the same sex may greet each other with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek, always starting with the right.  Expect to be introduced at small gatherings.  At larger gatherings, you may introduce yourself.

17. Dining EtiquetteDining Etiquette  If you are invited to an Iraqi home first check if you have to remove your shoes.  You have to dress appropriately.  Don’t discuss business.  Table manners are formal.  Use the right hand for eating and drinking.  It is considered polite to leave some food on your plate after you have finished eating.

18. Holidays in IraqHolidays in Iraq  1 Jan New Year's Day.  6 Jan Army Day.  26 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad).  9 Apr Baghdad Liberation Day.  17 Apr FAO Day.  1 May Labour Day . 14 Jul Republic Day  8 Aug Ceasefire Day (End of Iran-Iraq War).  11 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).  3 Oct Iraqi Independence Day (National Day).  17 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).  7 Dec Islamic New Year.  16 Dec Ashura.

19. Marriage  A guy asks a relative, neighbor, cousin, work partner, or a girl in the same school for her hand.  Then he goes with his parent’s to hers and tells them that he wants to marry their daughter.  After an agreement is made, there is a tradition called Mashaya.  In which the men from both families get the chance to meet each other, to get the good impression.

20. Food  Grapes grew plentifully and were used for wine.  The rich soil known as the “Fertile Crescent,” produced crops such as leeks, onions, lentils, wheat, and barley.  Some examples are:  Kebab  Yalanchi (tomatoes stuffed with rice)  Adas Bil Hamod (lentils with lemon juice)

21. Pictures Kebab Yalanche Adas Bil Hamod

22. Sports and Recreational Activities  Soccer is Iraq’s national passion.  Basketball, swimming, weight lifting, bodybuilding, boxing, kick boxing, and tennis are also popular sports.

23. The end. (:The end. (: