Iraq

Sharing borders with three other OPEC Member Countries – the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia – Iraq covers an area of 438,000 square kilometres. It has a population of more than 33 million, one fifth of which lives in the capital, Baghdad. Most Iraqis speak Arabic, although Kurdish is also used especially in the northern part of the country.

Iraq attained its independence as a Kingdom in 1932. In 1958, a military coup d’état ended the monarchy, making Iraq a republic.

Apart from petroleum, Iraq’s other natural resources include natural gas, phosphates and sulphur. Its national currency is the dinar. The country has a varied landscape, which includes areas of desert, mountains and fertile regions.

Iraq’s President is Jalal Talabani. The country is a Founder Member of OPEC.

Did you know?

• Baghdad was the largest multicultural city of the Middle Ages and was the centre of learning during the Islamic Golden Age.
• Iraq’s Kirkuk oilfield consists of three domes – Baba, Avanah and Khurmala. It was at the Baba dome that the country’s first productive oil well was drilled in 1927.
  

• b/d (barrels per day)
• cu. m. (cubic metres)

Source: Annual Statistical Bulletin 2012