I.

Introduction

Iraq, officially Republic of Iraq, also Irak, republic in the Middle East, bordered on the north by Turkey; on the east by Iran; on the south by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the Persian Gulf; and on the west by Jordan and Syria. Iraq has a total area of 437,072 sq km (168,754 sq mi), taking into account the adjustments made to the border with Kuwait under the UN demarcation, which Iraq formally accepted in November 1994; the unadjusted area is 438,317 sq km (169,235 sq mi). These figures exclude Iraq’s share of the Neutral Zone (3,522 sq km/1,360 sq mi), an area with no permanent inhabitants lying between Iraq and Saudi Arabia that is jointly administered by the two governments, and through which nomads can move freely. Iraq invaded and annexed Kuwait in August 1990, occupying it until expelled by a UN-led coalition in February 1991, during the Gulf War.

Some of the world’s greatest ancient civilizations developed in the area that makes up modern Iraq: Assyria, Babylonia, Mesopotamia, and Sumer. Baghdad is the country’s capital and largest city.