Iraq

Iraq at one time was part of the Ottoman Empire, but has been independent since 1932.  The country was then ruled by a monarchy until 1958 when that was overthrown and a republic proclaimed.  The red of the flag represents courage.  Green is the traditional color of Islam.  White symbolizes generosity and black recalls the triuphs of Islam.  The phrase on the flag is a verse which reads Allahu Akbar or "God is Great".  This phrase was added during the Persian Gulf War by President Saddam Hussein.  The three stars are for Iraq, Syria, and Egypt.  The flag was adopted January 14, 1991.  The current pattern of Iraq's flag is from 1963 and is based on the Nasserite flag of Egypt. The flag was design in hopes of a political union with Egypt and Syria, but that union never happened.

   Ottoman rule in Iraq began in 1534 and lasted up until 1916 due to the defeat of the Central Powers which it was a part of.  Iraq then gained independence in 1932 and joined the League of Nations.  In 1958 the monarchy was overthrown and a republic formed just a few years after the end of the first Arab-Israeli War.  Ten years after the new government was formed the Baath Party took control of Iraq.  Saddam Hussien then became president in 1979.  For eight long years the Iran-Iraq War dragged on.  The Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 and the Persian Gulf War began in 1991.

Country Stats

Official Name: Republic of Iraq

Capital: Baghdad

Official Language: Arabic

Official Religion: Islam

National Anthem: Salute of the Republic

Government: Unitary multiparty republic with one legislative house

Head of State and Government: not listed

Population: 20,413,000

Currency: Iraqi dinar

Literacy: virtually 100%