According to topmbadirectory, Iraq (Arabic: العراق al-ʿIrāq, Kurdish: Êraqê) is a country in the Middle East (Asia) bordering Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey and Iran. The capital of Iraq is Baghdad (Baghdad). A number of major cities in Iraq are: Basra, Mosul (Mosul), Arbil (Erbil), Najaf and Karbala.
Iraq is known for the vast desert plains with several mountain areas. Transport through the deserts is often done with dromedaries. There were many temples and palaces in Iraq, but many buildings have been lost due to the wars that the country has endured. In recent years, the country has been virtually inaccessible to tourists because of the war that has been going on since 2003 (the fall of Saddam Hussein). In the relatively quiet south of the country, efforts are being made to revive tourism by rebuilding historic buildings and hotels. See thedressexplorer for Middle East trade unions.
Where is Iraq?
Travel information of Iraq
Official name: Republic of Iraq
Continent: Asia
Area: 438,317 km²
Capital: Baghdad (Baghdad)
Country code: IQ, IRQ
Population: 38,872,655 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: Federal republic
Highest point: 3,611 m (Cheekha Dar, Black Tent)
Distance (Amsterdam – Baghdad): 3,786 km
Flight time: approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes
Travel advice
Current status: All travel to certain areas in Iraq is discouraged.
Current color code: Orange and red. Due to this status, a partially negative travel advice
is in effect for Iraq.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), (temporary) measures may apply in Iraq that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of Iraq, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
At the moment there are no travel organizations that offer travel to Iraq. For separate travel components (hotels and airline tickets) please visit our travel offer page.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Iraq?
Weather and climate
Iraq has a desert climate. In the summer months the temperatures are around 30 to 50 degrees. In the winter months the temperatures are around 10 degrees. In the mountains it can freeze in the winter months.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Iraq can be found on our extensive weather page.
Extensive information about the climate of Iraq can be found at Climate info.
Best time
April, May, September and October are the best months to travel to Iraq. This avoids the dry hot summer months and the mild to cold winter months.
Language
Arabic is the official language in Iraq. In addition, English, Kurdish, Turkish and Assyrian are spoken on a small scale.
Would you like to translate from or into Arabic for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months when applying for a visa.
A visa is required. You can apply for this at the embassy of Iraq in The Hague.
Note: Your passport cannot contain an Israeli stamp.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Iraq: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch consulate in Iraq: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of Iraq in the Netherlands: embassyofiraq.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
Before visiting Iraq, it is advisable to get one or more vaccinations.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Malaria
Malaria occurs in Iraq. Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by malaria mosquitoes. This infectious disease can lead to death if not treated in time and/or incorrectly.
For prevention and control of malaria, please visit our malaria page.
Money and Currency
In Iraq, people pay with the Iraqi Dinar (IQD).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in Iraq can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
Prices in Iraq are much lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is -36% on average. Some examples are: restaurants (46% cheaper), food (30% cheaper), imported beer in catering (32% cheaper), cigarettes (70% cheaper) and public transport (83% more expensive). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
In Iraq it is customary to give a tip of approximately 10-15%.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 1 hour later in Iraq.
During our winter time it is 2 hours later in Iraq.
Iraq has no difference between winter time and summer time.
The local time, date and time zone for Iraq can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Iraq you have to drive on the right.
To drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Iraq, you must have an international driver’s license. The international driver’s license is available at an ANWB shop.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Iraq.
Electricity In Iraq you may need a travel plug
in some cases. More information about common plugs and sockets in Iraq can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: unknown
– Fire brigade: unknown
– Ambulance: unknown
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Iraq can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Iraq can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Iraq end in.iq.
Iraq’s official website: parliament.iq.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in Iraq is 00964 or +964.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Iraq? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Company information can be found in the Yellow Pages of Iraq.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos from Iraq.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Iraq.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays in Iraq can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotel), restaurants and destinations in Iraq, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Iraq?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Iraq. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Iraq can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites in Iraq can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Iraq? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol and money, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you intend to do business in or do business with Iraq, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about Iraq, including: opportunities, import and export rules, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, current sanctions, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Iraq.
– Alcohol: Buying and drinking not allowed. Variable fines.
– Alcohol and traffic: Not allowed. Punishment unknown.
– Tobacco: Buying and/or smoking at all ages.
– Smoking ban: No
– Homosexuality: Not allowed. Imprisonment or death penalty.
Did you know that…
…The left hand is considered unclean in Iraq?
…More than 140,000 Iraqis live in the United States?
…During the American invasion of Iraq, 4,500 American soldiers died?
…97% of Iraqis are Muslim?
…Iraq’s economy largely revolves around oil?
…Christians are not allowed to talk about their faith in public?
