History
Iraq is located in lower Mesopotamia in the Middle East bordering the Persian Gulf. As part of the fertile crescent, this region of the Middle East saw the earliest emergence of civilization and complex society. The region was controlled by the Neo-Babylonian empire until the end of the Iron Age, after which control of the region changed hands multiple times, shifting between the Persian, Greek, and Ottoman Empires until the end of World War I at which time the region fell under British Rule. After World War I, Iraqi rebels lead an uprising in the country that ultimately lead its gaining independence in 1932. Currently, Iraq has a population of over 37 million, with children comprising 40% of the population (ages 0-14). A relatively young country, Iraq has had a tumultuous history in the 83 years since its independence. Since 1932, the country has been involved in 17 different armed conflicts, including the Persian Gulf War and the more recent Iraq War, both involving the United States. This breaks down to more than two armed conflicts per decade since Iraq gained its independence. Its history and its political and economic foundations are a result of the frequent distress.
Iraq is located in lower Mesopotamia in the Middle East bordering the Persian Gulf. As part of the fertile crescent, this region of the Middle East saw the earliest emergence of civilization and complex society. The region was controlled by the Neo-Babylonian empire until the end of the Iron Age, after which control of the region changed hands multiple times, shifting between the Persian, Greek, and Ottoman Empires until the end of World War I at which time the region fell under British Rule. After World War I, Iraqi rebels lead an uprising in the country that ultimately lead its gaining independence in 1932. Currently, Iraq has a population of over 37 million, with children comprising 40% of the population (ages 0-14). A relatively young country, Iraq has had a tumultuous history in the 83 years since its independence. Since 1932, the country has been involved in 17 different armed conflicts, including the Persian Gulf War and the more recent Iraq War, both involving the United States. This breaks down to more than two armed conflicts per decade since Iraq gained its independence. Its history and its political and economic foundations are a result of the frequent distress.
Demographics
The main religion in the country is Islam, which accounts for 99% of the population. The majority religion can be further divided into Shia (65% )and Sunni (34%). There are four main ethnic groups in Iraq, Arab (75-80%), Kurdish (15-20%), and Turkoman and Assyrian (5%). Ethnically the region is some what divided between the two largest groups, with the smaller Kurdish population controlling the Northern region of Iraq, where there is an independent government that is recognized as a governing body by the main Iraqi government. Iraq has a per capita GDP of $14,600. Its main industries are petroleum, chemical, and textile and has an industrial growth rate of 6.4% (Central Intelligence Agency, 2015). |