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

Iraq Use of Natural Resources

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)

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