Iraq Tourist Information

Everybody knows what happened recently in Iraq... Iraq now is under the occupation of USA and UK.. It was a people’s democratic republic. The Revolution Command Council, headed by the ex-president of the republic, was the supreme authority in the state. Resolutions were adopted by a two-third majority.

In its foreign policy, the Iraqi Republic stress abidance by the United Nations Charter, the promotion of good relations with its neighbors, its solidarity with the developing countries, and its support of the non-aligned group nations.

Iraq is situated in Southwest Asia (at the northern tip of the Arabian Gulf) and is bounded on the east by Iran on the south by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, on the west by Jordan and Syria and on the north by Turkey. See map in Map & Sites page.

A valid passport and a visa are required to enter Iraq. Visas are delivered by Iraqi diplomatic missions abroad.

Iraq has always known the freedom of money transfer, permitting any person to bring in or take out any capital of his/her choice at any time without restriction.

Note: No Israeli stamp or any crossing point with Israel stamp should be on your passport this includes Araba border, Sheikh Hussein border, Rafah border, and Taba border.

The currency of Iraq is Iraqi Dinar (ID) - 1 US Dollar equals ID 1200 (May 21, 1999). One ID = 20 dirhams = 1000 fils.

Paper denominations are: 25, 50, 100, and 250 dinars.

Major credit cards, such as Visa, Master Card, Diners Club, and American Express, are accepted in large establishments throughout the country. ATMs are becoming more numerous and many are located outside bank branches and in the business areas of major cities.

Iraq's mainly continental climate brings a wide range of temperature, with hot summers, particularly in the south, and cold winters, especially on the higher ground.

In the mountainous region of the north, summers can be a little cooler and humidity is lower than in the south. During the winter months (October to April) snow often falls on the mountains.

In the central areas of Iraq, summers are much hotter, with temperatures in Baghdad rising to about 33.3^oC (92 F) in July and August. It is not unknown for temperatures to soar as high as 50.6^oC (123 F) in this region. Winter in Baghdad brings a mean temperature of about 9.4^oC (49 F). Temperatures in Basra range from 37^oC (98.6 F) in summer to 14^oC (57.2 F) in winter. Dust storms are an unpleasant feature of the central plains region.

The southern area around the Gulf has extremely high humidity and some of the highest temperatures recorded anywhere in the world.

Rainfall is heaviest in the north-east and falls mostly between October and May. On the central plain, however, less than 152mm (about 6 inches) falls annually. Desert areas receive virtually no rainfall.

Tipping is a way of showing your satisfaction with a service rendered. Tips to your driver, guide and the hotel personnel are not included and left to your discretion.