2012 Edition

Background

Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions over a period of 12 years led to the US-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime. US forces remained in Iraq under a UNSC mandate through 2009 and under a bilateral security agreement thereafter, helping to provide security and to train and mentor Iraqi security forces. In October 2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and, pursuant to this document, elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (COR) in December 2005. The COR approved most cabinet ministers in May 2006, marking the transition to Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly a half century. In January 2009, Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all governorates except for the three governorates comprising the Kurdistan Regional Government and Kirkuk Governorate. Iraq held a national legislative election in March 2010 - choosing 325 legislators in an expanded COR - and, after nine months of deadlock the COR approved the new government in December 2010. Nearly nine years after the start of the Second Gulf War in Iraq, US military operations there ended in mid-December 2011.

Area

438,317 sq km 437,367 sq km 950 sq km

total

438,317 sq km

water

950 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than twice the size of Idaho

Climate

mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq

Coastline

58 km

Elevation extremes

Persian Gulf 0 m unnamed peak; 3,611 m; note - this peak is neither Gundah Zhur 3,607 m nor Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m

highest point

unnamed peak; 3,611 m; note - this peak is neither Gundah Zhur 3,607 m nor Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m

lowest point

Persian Gulf 0 m

Environment - current issues

government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection Environmental Modification

party to

Biodiversity, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

Environmental Modification

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

42.7 cu km/yr (3%/5%/92%) 1,482 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

1,482 cu m/yr (2000)

total

42.7 cu km/yr (3%/5%/92%)

Geographic coordinates

33 00 N, 44 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf

Irrigated land

35,250 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

3,650 km Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km

border countries

Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km

total

3,650 km

Land use

13.12% 0.61% 86.27% (2005)

arable land

13.12%

other

86.27% (2005)

permanent crops

0.61%

Location

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

12 nm not specified

continental shelf

not specified

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

dust storms; sandstorms; floods

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur

Terrain

mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey

Total renewable water resources

96.4 cu km (1997)

Age structure

37.6% (male 5,959,562/ female 5,751,970) 59.3% (male 9,355,176/ female 9,094,953) 3.1% (male 450,516/ female 517,048) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

37.6% (male 5,959,562/ female 5,751,970)

15-64 years

59.3% (male 9,355,176/ female 9,094,953)

65 years and over

3.1% (male 450,516/ female 517,048) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

28.19 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

7.1% (2006)

Death rate

4.73 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian, or other 5%

Health expenditures

9.7% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 500 (2003 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

40.25 deaths/1,000 live births 44.43 deaths/1,000 live births 35.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

35.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

40.25 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), Kurdish (official), Turkmen (a Turkish dialect) and Assyrian (Neo-Aramaic) are official in areas where they constitute a majority of the population), Armenian

Life expectancy at birth

70.85 years 69.41 years 72.35 years (2012 est.)

female

72.35 years (2012 est.)

total population

70.85 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 78.2% 86% 70.6% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

70.6% (2010 est.)

male

86%

total population

78.2%

Major cities - population

BAGHDAD (capital) 5.751 million; Mosul 1.447 million; Erbil 1.009 million; Basra 923,000; As Sulaymaniyah 836,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

intermediate bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

degree of risk

intermediate

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

Maternal mortality rate

63 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

21.1 years 21 years 21.2 years (2012 est.)

female

21.2 years (2012 est.)

male

21 years

total

21.1 years

Nationality

Iraqi(s) Iraqi

adjective

Iraqi

noun

Iraqi(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.69 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

31,129,225 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

2.345% (2012 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official) 97% (Shia 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3% while there has been voluntary relocation of many Christian families to northern Iraq, recent reporting indicates that the overall Christian population may have dropped by as much as 50 percent since the fall of the Saddam HUSSEIN regime in 2003, with many fleeing to Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon

Sanitation facility access

urban: 76% of population rural: 66% of population total: 73% of population urban: 24% of population rural: 34% of population total: 27% of population

rural

34% of population

total

27% of population

urban

24% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

10 years 11 years 8 years (2005)

female

8 years (2005)

male

11 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.87 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

3.58 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

66% of total population (2010) 2.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.6% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

66% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah (Arabic); parezgakan, singular - parezga (Kurdish)) and 1 region*; Al Anbar; Al Basrah; Al Muthanna; Al Qadisiyah (Ad Diwaniyah); An Najaf; Arbil (Erbil) (Arabic), Hewler (Kurdish); As Sulaymaniyah (Arabic), Slemani (Kurdish); Babil; Baghdad; Dahuk (Arabic), Dihok (Kurdish); Dhi Qar; Diyala; Karbala'; Kirkuk; Kurdistan Regional Government*; Maysan; Ninawa; Salah ad Din; Wasit

Capital

Baghdad 33 20 N, 44 24 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

33 20 N, 44 24 E

name

Baghdad

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

ratified 15 October 2005 (subject to review by the Constitutional Review Committee and a possible public referendum)

Country name

Republic of Iraq Iraq Jumhuriyat al-Iraq/Komar-i Eraq Al Iraq/Eraq

conventional long form

Republic of Iraq

conventional short form

Iraq

local long form

Jumhuriyat al-Iraq/Komar-i Eraq

local short form

Al Iraq/Eraq

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Robert Stephen BEECROFT Baghdad APO AE 09316 1-240-553-0589 ext. 5340 or 5635; note - Consular Section NA

chief of mission

Ambassador Robert Stephen BEECROFT

embassy

Baghdad

FAX

NA

mailing address

APO AE 09316

telephone

1-240-553-0589 ext. 5340 or 5635; note - Consular Section

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Jabir Habib JABIR 3421 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 742-1600 [1] (202) 333-1129

chancery

3421 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Jabir Habib JABIR

FAX

[1] (202) 333-1129

telephone

[1] (202) 742-1600

Executive branch

President Jalal TALABANI (since 6 April 2005); Vice Presidents Tariq al-HASHIMI and Khudayr Musa Jafar Abbas al-KHUZAI Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI (since 20 May 2006) The Council of Ministers consists of the prime minister and cabinet ministers he proposes; approved by an absolute majority vote by the Council of Representatives president elected by Council of Representatives (parliament) to serve a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 November 2010 (next to be held in 2014) President Jalal TALABANI reelected on 11 November 2010; parliamentary vote count on second ballot - 195 votes; Nuri al-MALIKI reselected prime minister

cabinet

The Council of Ministers consists of the prime minister and cabinet ministers he proposes; approved by an absolute majority vote by the Council of Representatives

chief of state

President Jalal TALABANI (since 6 April 2005); Vice Presidents Tariq al-HASHIMI and Khudayr Musa Jafar Abbas al-KHUZAI

election results

President Jalal TALABANI reelected on 11 November 2010; parliamentary vote count on second ballot - 195 votes; Nuri al-MALIKI reselected prime minister

elections

president elected by Council of Representatives (parliament) to serve a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 November 2010 (next to be held in 2014)

head of government

Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI (since 20 May 2006)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great") in green Arabic script is centered in the white band; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white); the Council of Representatives approved this flag in 2008 as a compromise temporary replacement for the Ba'athist Saddam-era flag similar to the flag of Syria, which has two stars but no script, Yemen, which has a plain white band, and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration); note - on 28 June 2004 the Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

the Iraq Constitution calls for the federal judicial power to be comprised of the Higher Judicial Council, Federal Supreme Court, Federal Court of Cassation, Public Prosecution Department, Judiciary Oversight Commission and other federal courts that are regulated in accordance with the law

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil and Islamic law

Legislative branch

unicameral Council of Representatives (325 seats consisting of 317 members elected by an optional open-list and representing a specific governorate, proportional representation system and 8 seats reserved for minorities; members serve four-year terms); note - Iraq's Constitution calls for the establishment of an upper house, the Federation Council last held on 7 March 2010 for an enlarged 325-seat parliament (next to be held in 2014) Council of Representatives - percent of vote by coalition - Iraqi National Movement 25.9%, State of Law coalition 25.8%, Iraqi National Alliance 19.4%, Kurdistan Alliance 15.3%, Goran (Change) List 4.4%, Tawafuq Front 2.7%, Iraqi Unity Alliance 2.9%, Kurdistan Islamic Union 2.3%, Kurdistan Islamic Group 1.4%; seats by coalition - NA

election results

Council of Representatives - percent of vote by coalition - Iraqi National Movement 25.9%, State of Law coalition 25.8%, Iraqi National Alliance 19.4%, Kurdistan Alliance 15.3%, Goran (Change) List 4.4%, Tawafuq Front 2.7%, Iraqi Unity Alliance 2.9%, Kurdistan Islamic Union 2.3%, Kurdistan Islamic Group 1.4%; seats by coalition - NA

elections

last held on 7 March 2010 for an enlarged 325-seat parliament (next to be held in 2014)

National anthem

"Mawtini" (My Homeland) Ibrahim TOUQAN/Mohammad FLAYFEL adopted 2004; following the ousting of Saddam HUSSEIN, Iraq adopted "Mawtini," a popular folk song throughout the Arab world, which also serves as an unofficial anthem of the Palestinian people

lyrics/music

Ibrahim TOUQAN/Mohammad FLAYFEL

name

"Mawtini" (My Homeland)

National holiday

Republic Day, July 14 (1958); note - the Government of Iraq has yet to declare an official national holiday but still observes Republic Day

National symbol(s)

golden eagle

Political parties and leaders

Badr Organization [Hadi al-AMIRI]; Da'wa Party [Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI]; Da'wa Tanzim [Hashim al-MUSAWI branch]; Da-wa Tanzim [Abd al-Karim al-ANZI branch]; Fadilah Party [Hasan al-SHAMMARI and Ammar TUAMA]; Goran (Change) List [Nushirwan MUSTAFA]; Iraqi Covenant Gathering [Ahmad Abd al-Ghafur al-SAMARRAI]; Iraqi Constitutional Party [Jawad al-BULANI]; Iraqi Front for National Dialogue [Deputy Prime Minister Salih al-MUTLAQ]; Iraqi Islamic Party or IIP [Usama al-TIKRITI]; Iraqi Justice and Reform Movement [Shaykh Abdallah al-YAWR]; Iraqi National Congress or INC [Ahmad CHALABI]; Iraqi National Accord or INA [Ayad ALLAWI]; Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq or ISCI [Ammar al-HAKIM]; Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP [Kurdistan Regional Government President Masud BARZANI]; Future National Gathering [Finance Minister Rafi al-ISSAWI]; National Iraqiyun Gathering [Usama al-NUJAYFI]; National Movement for Reform and Development [Jamal al-KARBULI]; National Reform Trend [former Prime Minister Ibrahim al-JAFARI]; Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or PUK [President Jalal TALABANI]; Renewal List [Vice President Tariq al-HASHIMI]; Sadrist Trend [Muqtada al-SADR]; Sahawa al-Iraq [Ahmad al-RISHAWI] numerous smaller local, tribal, and minority parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Sunni militias; Shia militias, some associated with political parties

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep, poultry

Budget

$104.4 billion $98.49 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$98.49 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$104.4 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

4.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6% (December 2012) 6% (December 2011)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14.13% (31 December 2011 est.) 14.35% (31 December 2010 est.)

Current account balance

$20.63 billion (2012 est.) $21.68 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$50.26 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $50.79 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Economy - overview

An improving security environment and foreign investment are helping to spur economic activity, particularly in the energy, construction, and retail sectors. Broader economic development, long-term fiscal health, and sustained improvements in the overall standard of living still depend on the central government passing major policy reforms. Iraq's largely state-run economy is dominated by the oil sector, which provides more than 90% of government revenue and 80% of foreign exchange earnings. Iraq in 2012 boosted oil exports to a 30-year high of 2.6 million barrels per day, a significant increase from Iraq's average of 2.2 million in 2011. Government revenues increased as global oil prices remained persisently high for much of 2012. Iraq's contracts with major oil companies have the potential to further expand oil exports and revenues, but Iraq will need to make significant upgrades to its oil processing, pipeline, and export infrastructure to enable these deals to reach their economic potential. Iraq is making slow progress enacting laws and developing the institutions needed to implement economic policy, and political reforms are still needed to assuage investors' concerns regarding the uncertain business climate, which may have been harmed by the November 2012 standoff between Baghdad and Erbil. The government of Iraq is eager to attract additional foreign direct investment, but it faces a number of obstacles including a tenuous political system and concerns about security and societal stability. Rampant corruption, outdated infrastructure, insufficient essential services, skilled labor shortages, and antiquated commercial laws stifle investment and continue to constrain growth of private, nonoil sectors. In 2010, Baghdad signed agreements with both the IMF and World Bank for conditional aid programs designed to help strengthen Iraq's economic institutions. Iraq is considering a package of laws to establish a modern legal framework for the oil sector and a mechanism to equitably divide oil revenues within the nation, although these reforms are still under contentious and sporadic negotiation. Political and economic tensions between Baghdad and local governments have led some provincial councils to use their budgets to independently promote and facilitate investment at the local level. The Central Bank has successfully held the exchange rate at about 1,170 Iraqi dinar/US dollar since January 2009. Inflation has remained under control since 2006 as security improved. However, Iraqi leaders remain hard pressed to translate macroeconomic gains into an improved standard of living for the Iraqi populace. Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country despite a bloated public sector. Encouraging private enterprise through deregulation would make it easier for Iraqi citizens and foreign investors to start new businesses. Rooting out corruption and implementing reforms - such as restructuring banks and developing the private sector - would be important steps in this direction.

Exchange rates

Iraqi dinars (IQD) per US dollar - 1,168 (2012 est.) 1,170 (2011 est.) 1,170 (2010 est.) 1,170 (2009) 1,176 (2008)

Exports

$88.27 billion (2012 est.) $79.68 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil 84%, crude materials excluding fuels, food and live animals

Exports - partners

India 22.5%, US 22.3%, China 13.4%, South Korea 11.7%, Japan 4.8%, Netherlands 4.3% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

8.7% 63.8% 25.1% (2012 est.)

agriculture

8.7%

industry

63.8%

services

25.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$4,600 (2012 est.) $4,300 (2011 est.) $4,000 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

10.2% (2012 est.) 8.9% (2011 est.) 3% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$130.6 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$155.4 billion (2012 est.) $141 billion (2011 est.) $129.6 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.6% 25.7% (2007 est.)

highest 10%

25.7% (2007 est.)

lowest 10%

3.6%

Imports

$56.89 billion (2012 est.) $47.8 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, medicine, manufactures

Imports - partners

Turkey 25.3%, Syria 18.3%, China 11.7%, US 7.4%, South Korea 4.7% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

4.8% (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.4% (2012 est.) 5.6% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

10.1% of GDP (2011 est.)

Labor force

8.9 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

21.6% 18.7% 59.8% (2008 est.)

agriculture

21.6%

industry

18.7%

services

59.8% (2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$4 billion (9 December 2011) $2.6 billion (31 July 2010) $2 billion (31 July 2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

25% (2008 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$61.84 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $58.96 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$71.48 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $61.81 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.779 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $1.727 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$62.19 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $53.52 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

79.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

16% (2012 est.) 15% (2010 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

118.3 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

2.6 million bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

3.3 million bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

143.1 billion bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

35.12 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

69% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

31% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

12.28 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

10.11 million kW (2012 est.)

Electricity - production

47.4 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

1.3 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

1.303 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

3.171 trillion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

818,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

144,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

410,500 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

the number of private radio and TV stations has increased rapidly since 2003; government-owned TV and radio stations are operated by the publicly-funded Iraqi Public Broadcasting Service; private broadcast media are mostly linked to political, ethnic, or religious groups; satellite TV is available to an estimated 70% of viewers and many of the broadcasters are based abroad; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are accessible (2007)

Internet country code

.iq

Internet hosts

26 (2012)

Internet users

325,900 (2009)

Telephone system

the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications through fiber optic links are in progress; the mobile cellular market has expanded rapidly to some 27 million subscribers by the end of 2012 repairs to switches and lines destroyed during 2003 continue; additional switching capacity is improving access; 3 GSM operators since 2007 have expanded beyond their regional roots and offer near country-wide access to second-generation services; third-generation mobile services are not available nationwide; wireless local loop is available in some metropolitan areas and additional licenses have been issued with the hope of overcoming the lack of fixed-line infrastructure country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; international terrestrial fiber-optic connections have been established with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, and Iran; links to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the Gulf Bridge International (GBI) submarine fiber-optic cables are planned

domestic

repairs to switches and lines destroyed during 2003 continue; additional switching capacity is improving access; 3 GSM operators since 2007 have expanded beyond their regional roots and offer near country-wide access to second-generation services; third-generation mobile services are not available nationwide; wireless local loop is available in some metropolitan areas and additional licenses have been issued with the hope of overcoming the lack of fixed-line infrastructure

general assessment

the 2003 liberation of Iraq severely disrupted telecommunications throughout Iraq including international connections; widespread government efforts to rebuild domestic and international communications through fiber optic links are in progress; the mobile cellular market has expanded rapidly to some 27 million subscribers by the end of 2012

international

country code - 964; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; international terrestrial fiber-optic connections have been established with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Kuwait, Jordan, and Iran; links to the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the Gulf Bridge International (GBI) submarine fiber-optic cables are planned

Telephones - main lines in use

1.794 million (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

27 million (2012)

Airports

104 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

8 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

5

2,438 to 3,047 m

36

914 to 1,523 m

6

over 3,047 m

20

total

75

under 914 m

8 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

6 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

13

over 3,047 m

3

total

29

under 914 m

6 (2012)

Heliports

20 (2012)

Merchant marine

petroleum tanker 2 2 (Marshall Islands 2) (2010)

registered in other countries

2 (Marshall Islands 2) (2010)

total

2

Pipelines

gas 2,447 km; liquid petroleum gas 918 km; oil 5,104 km; refined products 1,637 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Al Basrah, Khawr az Zubayr, Umm Qasr

Railways

2,272 km 2,272 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)

total

2,272 km

Roadways

44,900 km 37,851 km 7,049 km (2002)

total

44,900 km

unpaved

7,049 km (2002)

Waterways

5,279 km (the Euphrates River (2,815 km), Tigris River (1,899 km), and Third River (565 km) are the principal waterways) (2012)

Manpower available for military service

7,767,329 7,461,766 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

7,461,766 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

7,767,329

Manpower fit for military service

6,591,185 6,421,717 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

6,421,717 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

6,591,185

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

332,194 322,010 (2010 est.)

female

322,010 (2010 est.)

male

332,194

Military branches

Counterterrorism Service Forces: Counterterrorism Command; Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF); Ministry of Defense Forces: Iraqi Army (includes Army Aviation Directorate, former National Guard Iraqi Intervention Forces, and Strategic Infrastructure Battalions), Iraqi Navy (former Iraqi Coastal Defense Force, includes Iraq Marine Force), Iraqi Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Iraqiya) (2011)

Counterterrorism Service Forces

Counterterrorism Command; Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF); Ministry of Defense Forces: Iraqi Army (includes Army Aviation Directorate, former National Guard Iraqi Intervention Forces, and Strategic Infrastructure Battalions), Iraqi Navy (former Iraqi Coastal Defense Force, includes Iraq Marine Force), Iraqi Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Iraqiya) (2011)

Military expenditures

8.6% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18-40 years of age for voluntary military service (2010)

Disputes - international

approximately two million Iraqis have fled the conflict in Iraq, with the majority taking refuge in Syria and Jordan, and lesser numbers to Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, and Turkey; Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf; Turkey has expressed concern over the autonomous status of Kurds in Iraq

Refugees and internally displaced persons

15,606 (Turkey); 10,798 (West Bank and Gaza Strip); 7,989 (Iran) (2011); 77,415 (Syria) (2013) 1.3 million (since 2006 from ethno-sectarian violence) (2012)

IDPs

1.3 million (since 2006 from ethno-sectarian violence) (2012)