Republic of Iraq or Iraq for short is situated at the southwest of the continent of Asia. There are many ideas as to where the origin of the name came about. Based on history, this country was known to be Mesopotamia meaning between the rivers. During the 6th century the land was under Alexander the great and was part of the Persian Empire. This made the whole region become under Islam.
This medium sized country is covered mostly by the desert. There are two major rivers surrounding the area namely Euphrates and Tigris making it fertile. The northern area of Iraq is filled with mountains. On one side of Iraq is the Persian Gulf giving it a short stretch of coastlines. Summer tends to get hot and dry in Iraq. When its winter, there are snowfall happening in the mountain.
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq. It is one of the most notable and important city where the center of power lies. Mosul, Irbil, Kirkuk, Kut and Basrah are some other cities found in Iraq. Although today Iraq is known for its terrorist attacks and suicide bombings, you could find in here some of the beautiful attractions that are found only in the Middle East.
The Hanging Garden of Babylon is one of the Seven Wonder of the World that you shouldn’t miss. The Ur Abraham’s house is the one found in the bible. There is a pyramid Ziggurat in its center. The Presidential palace that was built by Saddam Hussein is a picture of luxury. Take time to view the murals and paintings of the famous leader.
Baghdad which was founded in 762 is a city with historical importance. Many of the old houses were converted to mosques and museums. The city of Hatra is considered an archeological site with fortified walls and citadels. In Mosul you will find the palace of Qara Sariai and the Mosque of Nabi Jirjis. You could also find here the old Kadhimimain Mosque which the most important in Baghdad. Visit the Abbasid Palace which was built in 13th century and you will have a view of the Tigris River. Also see the Arch of Ctesiphon which has the remarkable engineering during the 3rd century
If you are a first time traveler in Iraq, finding an accommodation is not really a problem. There are many of hotels that are ranging from low to high prices. There are some world class hotels in the area the can suit your budget. The top hotels in Baghdad are Hotel Ishrat, Al Mansour hotel and Al Rasheed. Some of these hotels are located in the heart of the city and be easily accessible to some tourist spots.
After the war, there are many damages that were done to some historical spots and architecture. There are also lootings that was done to some archaeological museums causing the disappearance of some of the artifacts in display. If you will be traveling to Iraq take precaution due to the present situation.
