Iraq Geography
What is the terrain and geography like in Iraq?
Overview
Iraq is bordered by Kuwait, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The country slopes from mountains over 3,000 meters (10,000 ft.) above sea level along the border with Iran and Turkey to the remnants of sea-level, reedy marshes in the southeast. Much of the land is desert or wasteland. The mountains in the northeast are an extension of the alpine system that runs eastward from the Balkans into southern Turkey, northern Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan, terminating in the Himalayas.
Geography - note
strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf
Climate
mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding.
Average temperatures range from higher than 48oC (120oF) in July and August to below freezing in January. Most of the rainfall occurs from December through April and averages between 10 and 18 centimeters (4-7 in.) annually. The mountainous region of northern Iraq receives appreciably more precipitation than the central or southern desert region.
Iraq Use of Natural Resources
Iraq Environment
Climate:
mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding.
Average temperatures range from higher than 48oC (120oF) in July and August to below freezing in January. Most of the rainfall occurs from December through April and averages between 10 and 18 centimeters (4-7 in.) annually. The mountainous region of northern Iraq receives appreciably more precipitation than the central or southern desert region.
Terrain:
mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey
Natural Resources:
petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur
Natural Hazards:
dust storms, sandstorms, floods
Irrigated Land:
13,610 Square Miles35,250 Square Kilometers
Environmental Issues:
government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification
Environment - International Agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protectionsigned, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Iraq Geography
| Geographic Location | Middle East |
| Total Area |
169,234 Square Miles 438,317 Square Kilometers |
| Land Area |
168,867 Square Miles 437,367 Square Kilometers |
| Water Area |
367 Square Miles 950 Square Kilometers |
| Land Boundaries |
2,268 Miles 3,650 Kilometers |
| Irrigated Land |
13,610 Square Miles 35,250 Square Kilometers |
| Border Countries | Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km |
| Coastline |
36 Miles 58 Kilometers |
| Geographic Coordinates | 33 00 N, 44 00 E |
| Terrain | mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey |
| Highest Point | 3,611 Meters |
| Highest Point Location | unamed peak 3,611 m; note - this peak is not Gundah Zhur 3,607 m or Kuh-e Hajji-Ebrahim 3,595 m |
| Lowest Point Location | Persian Gulf 0 m |
| Natural Resources | petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur |
| Time Zone | UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) |