Iraq flag
Iraq is located between latitudes 29° and 38° N and longitudes 39° and 49° E, with a small section extending west of 39°. Covering an area of 437,072 square kilometers (168,754 sq mi), it ranks as the 58th-largest country globally.
The nation has a 58-kilometer (36-mile) coastline along the northern Persian Gulf. Moving inland, Iraq encompasses much of the Mesopotamian Alluvial Plain, where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flow southward into the Shatt al-Arab before reaching the Persian Gulf. The estuary, known as arvandrūd among Iranians, is surrounded by marshlands that support semi-agricultural activities. The fertile alluvial plains situated between and along the rivers receive approximately 60 million cubic meters (78,477,037 cu yd) of silt annually.
In the southern central region, the landscape consists of marshes interspersed with rice paddies, creating a humid environment compared to the surrounding plains. Iraq also includes the northwestern portion of the Zagros Mountain range and the eastern segment of the Syrian Desert.
Approximately 40% of Iraq's terrain consists of rocky deserts, while another 30% is mountainous, experiencing harsh winters. The highest peak in the country stands at 3,611 meters (11,847 feet). Iraq is home to seven distinct terrestrial ecoregions: the Zagros Mountains Forest steppe, Middle East steppe, Mesopotamian Marshes, Eastern Mediterranean conifer-sclerophyllous-broadleaf forests, Arabian Desert, Mesopotamian shrub desert, and South Iran Nubo-Sindian desert and semi-desert.
Iraq experiences a predominantly hot, arid climate with subtropical influences. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C (104 °F) across much of the country and can reach up to 48 °C (118.4 °F). Winters are relatively mild, with daytime highs typically ranging between 5 and 10 °C (41 to 50 °F) and nighttime temperatures dropping to between 1 and 5 °C (33.8 to 41 °F). Rainfall is generally scarce, with most regions receiving less than 250 mm (9.8 in) annually, peaking during the winter months. Northern areas are the exception, occasionally experiencing summer rain.
The mountainous north endures harsh winters, sometimes bringing heavy snowfall and subsequent flooding. Iraq faces severe climate challenges, including rising temperatures, diminishing rainfall, and increasing water scarcity—a problem exacerbated by a rapidly growing population that expanded tenfold from 1890 to 2010.
Climate change, fuel shortages, and rising demand are placing immense strain on Iraq’s electrical grid. Endemic corruption and political conflicts have worsened sectarian divisions, while prolonged droughts since 2020 have depleted water reserves. In 2021, Iraq recorded its second-driest season in four decades, with water levels in the Tigris and Euphrates declining by 30–40%. Nearly half of Iraq's farmland faces desertification, and approximately 40% of the land has been overtaken by encroaching desert sands, swallowing tens of thousands of acres of arable terrain each year.
To address these challenges, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani introduced a national climate strategy in 2023, aiming to expand renewable energy, improve irrigation and water treatment, and reduce industrial gas flaring. Plans include the construction of renewable energy plants to fulfill one-third of Iraq’s electricity demand by 2030, the planting of 5 million trees, and the establishment of green belts around cities to mitigate dust storms.
That same year, Iraq signed a $27 billion energy deal with TotalEnergies to enhance oil production and boost energy infrastructure through four projects spanning oil, gas, and renewables. Experts believe the initiative will accelerate Iraq’s progress toward energy self-sufficiency while supporting climate change objectives.
Iraqi security forces operate under the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and the Ministry of Defense (MOD), along with the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Bureau, which reports directly to the Prime Minister and oversees the Iraqi Special Operations Forces. The MOD supervises the Iraqi Army, Air Force, Navy, and Peshmerga, which, alongside security subsidiaries, maintain stability in the Kurdistan Region. Additionally, the MOD manages the Joint Staff College at Ar Rustamiyah, established on 27 September 2005, offering training for army, navy, and air force officers with NATO Training Mission - Iraq support.
Following extensive American military assistance, Iraq’s armed forces were reconstructed, now comprising 14 divisions—all infantry, except the ninth division, which is motorized infantry. Each division consists of four brigades, with a total force of 14,000 soldiers per division. Before 2003, Iraq relied on Soviet-made weaponry, but has since shifted to Western military suppliers.
The Iraqi Air Force primarily provides surveillance, reconnaissance, and troop transport. It operates two reconnaissance squadrons, three helicopter squadrons for troop movement, and a transport squadron utilizing C-130 aircraft to move personnel, equipment, and supplies. The air force currently employs around 5,000 personnel, with earlier plans to expand to 18,000 members and 550 aircraft by 2018, though this expansion did not proceed as expected.
As of February 2011, Iraq’s navy consisted of approximately 5,000 sailors, including 800 marines. The naval forces include an operational headquarters, five afloat squadrons, and two marine battalions tasked with safeguarding coastlines and inland waterways against insurgent activities.
On 4 November 2019, over 100 Australian Defence Force personnel departed from Darwin for the 10th rotation of Task Group Taji, stationed north of Baghdad. The Australian contingent assisted the Iraqi School of Infantry in training Iraqi Security Forces. However, Australia later reduced its contribution from 250 to 120 personnel, despite having helped train over 45,000 ISF members alongside New Zealand.