Iraq

Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, the Persian Gulf and Kuwait to the southeast, Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the southwest and Syria to the west. The capital and largest city is Baghdad.  Iraq is home to diverse ethnic groups including Iraqi Arabs, Kurds, Turkmens, Assyrians, Persians and Shabakis. The official languages of Iraq are Arabic and Kurdish; others also recognised in specific regions are Suret (Assyrian), Turkish. The majority of the country's 40 million residents are Muslims.

The "Cradle of Civilisation" is thus a common term for the area comprising modern Iraq as it was home to the earliest known civilisation. During ancient times, lands that now constitute Iraq were known as Mesopotamia (“Land Between the Rivers”). The country is known for its poets, architects, painters and sculptors who are among the best in the region, some of them being world-class. Iraq is known for producing fine handicrafts, including rugs and carpets among many other things.

The two major rivers that flow through Iraq are the Tigris and the Euphrates. There are 4 large lakes in Iraq. Lake Habbaniye, Lake Milh, Lake Kadisiye, Lake Tharthar.

The oil export industry dominates the Iraqi economy. Petroleum is Iraq’s most valuable mineral.  Exploitation of other minerals has lagged far behind that of oil and natural gas.

Football is the most popular sport in Iraq. Basketball, swimming, weightlifting, bodybuilding, boxing, kick boxing and tennis are also popular sports.

The world's oldest recipes are found in Mesopotamia of modern-day ancient Iraq, written in cuneiform tablets. Lamb is the favourite meat in Iraqi cuisine, but chicken, beef, goat and fish are also eaten. Most dishes are served with rice.

Activity 1: Read the text and answer the questions: 

1. What is the official name of Iraq?

2. What countries does Iraq border with?

3. What is the capital city of Iraq?

4. What was the name of the territory that today constitutes Iraq in ancient times?

5. What is the official language of Iraq?

6. What are the specific dishes  in Iraqi cuisine?

Activity 2. Match the words with the correct definitions:

(choose 5 words from the text you wrote above)

1. ethnic group

2. ancient

3. civilisation

4. country

5. resident

a. a group of people who identify with each other on the basis of shared attributes that distinguish them from other groups. 

b. the stage of human social, cultural development and organisation

c. a nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory

d. a person who lives somewhere permanently or on a long-term basis

e. belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence

Activity 3:  Further reading - Go online and find interesting things about Iraq in order to answer these questions:

Trivia questions about Iraq: 

1. Which ethnic and religious groups does Iraq host?

2. What is the native population of Iraq?

3. Which of the ancient civilisations were born on the territory of Iraq?

4. Which handicraft production is Iraq known for?

5. Which two major rivers flow through Iraq?

6. What are the other big cities in Iraq?

7. What is the Iraqi city of Babylon known for?

8. Which 4 large lakes are located in Iraq?

9. Which export industry dominates the Iraqi economy?

10. What are the most popular sports in Iraq?