Iraq

Iraq (Arabic: العراق Al-Irāq, Kurdish: عێراق Êraq) is a republic in the Middle East. It has an extremely rich history and culture that is still visible today, although accessing it may pose some challenges to visitors. It was once host to the region of ancient Mesopotamia, often called the "cradle of civilisation". After the rise of Islam, Baghdad became a center of learning and the arts during the Islamic Golden Age. Its holy cities of Najaf and Karbala now accept millions of pilgrims per year from throughout the Middle East. Iraq is a melting pot of different cultures, with the Arabs being the largest ethnic group. Other prominent ethnic groups include the Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, and Turkmens. And while Islam is the state religion, there are also various minority religions still actively practiced in the country. Most Iraqis are Shia Muslims, just like their Iranian counterparts. The country has been in a state of turmoil since the 1980s. The government is dysfunctional, and the country suffers from a plethora of problems such as corruption, terrorism, and poverty. The legacies of Iraq's various wars in the 20th and 21st centuries are visible throughout the country, and still weigh heavily on the minds of its people. Ethnic and religious tensions, especially Sunni–Shia and Kurdish-Arab conflicts, still plague the country. Making matters worse, the country is struggling to manage significant environmental problems, including climate change, worsening heatwaves, water scarcity, and airborne carcinogens from oil burning in the south. In spite of the difficulties they face, Iraqis are nearly universally friendly and generous hosts. It is common to be offered free food and gifts, and they are often eager to chat with you.