The World's 7 Most Remarkable Ancient Civilizations - WorldAtlas
Sumerian Civilization (4500 – 1900 BC) · Indus Valley Civilization (3300 – 1300 BC) · The Egyptian Civilization (3100 – 30 BC) · Ancient and Early ...
Iraq
When speaking about the "greatest" civilizations to grace the world, we must include the Sumerian civilization. I say we must for two reasons: 1) It was the first civilization (that we know of) and 2) because the Sumerian civilization left a massive impact on the religion and cultural thought of the world in a way that no other civilization has since. But first, a bit of history. The ancient Sumerians lived in the region of Mesopotamia, located in modern-day <anchor>Iraq</anchor>. Because of its location near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, the Sumerians could forgo the hunting and gathering lifestyle and begin farming, which later formed some of the Earth's first cities. One such city was known as Ur and is the birthplace of the Biblical character Abraham who is credited with founding not one but three world religions: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.
Iraq Maps & Facts - World Atlas
Iraq Maps & Facts - World Atlas

1. [Home](https://www.worldatlas.com/)
2. [Asia](https://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/as.htm)
3. Iraq

# Maps of Iraq

![Physical Map of Iraq showing state boundaries, relief, the Zagros Mountains, major rivers, highest point, major lakes, important cities, and more.](/r/w1200/upload/e0/d5/1d/iq-01.jpg)[Print Image](/upload/e0/d5/1d/iq-01.jpg)

- [Governorates Map](#admin1Section)
- [Where is Iraq?](#locationSection)
- [Outline Map](#outline1Section)
- [Key Facts](#keyFactsSection)
- [Flag](/flags/iraq)

With an area of 437,072 sq. km, Iraq is the 58th largest country in the world.

The country exhibits four major physiographic regions as mentioned below.

The alluvial plains cover about one-third of the country's area in the central and southeastern parts. The elevation of land here is generally below 300 feet (100 m). As observed on the physical map of Iraq, this region also features several lakes.

The  Al-Jazīrah is an upland region to the north of the alluvial plains and between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The Sinjār Mountains is found here.

Iraq is mountainous further to the north and northeast, as the Zagros Mountains front its borders with Iran and Turkey. The country's highest point is located there, an unnamed peak rising 11,847 ft (3,611 m).

The Syrian Desert lies to the extreme west of Iraq.

Two of the most significant rivers in all of Asia, the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, drain the land.

The lowest point in Iraq is at 0 ft (0 m) in the [Persian Gulf](https://www.worldatlas.com/gulfs/persian-gulf.html).

## Governorates of Iraq Map

![Political Map of Iraq showing the 18 governorates, their capital cities, and the national capital of Baghdad.](/r/w1200/upload/67/af/d2/governorates-of-iraq-map.png)[Print Image](/upload/67/af/d2/governorates-of-iraq-map.png)

Iraq (officially, Republic of Iraq) is divided into 18 governorates (muhafazat, sing- muhafazah) and 1 autonomous region. In alphabetical order, these governorates are: Al Anbar, Babil, Baghdad, Al Basrah, DiQar, Al Qadisiyah, Diyala, Dahuk, Erbil, Hewler (Halabja), Karbala, Kirkuk, Maysan, Al Muthanna, An Najaf, Ninawa (Nineveh), Salahad Din and Wasit. Kurdistan (Kurdistan Region) is an autonomous region in Iraq. These governorates are further subdivided into districts (qadhas) and sub districts (nawahi).

Baghdad is the capital city of the Republic of Iraq. It is located in the center of the country, in the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula. Located along both the banks of the Tigris River, the city is the largest in entire Southwest Asia. Baghdad is the most populous city as well as the cultural, commercial and economic center of Iraq.

## Where is Iraq?

![Map showing location of Iraq in the world.](/r/w1200/upload/4c/1f/58/iq-02.jpg)[Print Image](/upload/4c/1f/58/iq-02.jpg)

Iraq is a sovereign Western Asian country. It is located in Northern and Eastern hemispheres of the Earth. It is bordered by six nations: Iran to the East; Kuwait to the southeast; Turkey to the north; Syria to the west; Jordan to the southwest and Saudi Arabia to the south. The country has a short 36 miles (58 km) coastline along the northern end of the Persian Gulf.

**Iraq Bordering Countries**:
[Saudi Arabia](/maps/saudi-arabia), [Jordan](/maps/jordan), [Syria](/maps/syrian-arab-republic), [Turkey](/maps/turkey), [Kuwait](/maps/kuwait), [Iran](/maps/iran).

**Regional Maps**: [Map of Asia](/webimage/countrys/as.htm)

## Outline Map of Iraq

![Blank Outline Map of Iraq](/r/w1200/upload/25/d4/ae/iq-03.jpg)

The blank outline map represents the country of Iraq in Western Asia. The country is mostly bounded by land but has a small coast on the Persian Gulf. The map can be dowloaded, printed, and used for coloring or educational purpose.

[Print Image](/upload/25/d4/ae/iq-03.jpg)![Outline Map of Iraq](/r/w1200/upload/f7/3a/14/iq-04.jpg)

The outline map above represents the country of Iraq in Western Asia.

[Print Image](/upload/f7/3a/14/iq-04.jpg)

## Key Facts

Legal NameRepublic of Iraq[Flag](/flags/iraq)[![Flag of Iraq](/r/w300/img/flag/iq-flag.jpg)](/flags/iraq)Capital CityBaghdad33 20 N, 44 24 E[Total Area](https://www.worldatlas.com/features/countries-by-area.html#countriesBySize)438,317.00 km2Land Area437,367.00 km2Water Area950.00 km2Population39,309,783
Major Cities


01. Baghdad (7,711,305)
02. Al-Mawsil (Mosul) (1,792,020)
03. Al-Basrah (Basra) (1,448,124)
04. Kirkuk (1,074,884)
05. Najaf (958,487)
06. Irbil (Erbil) (896,716)
07. Sulaimaniya (800,793)
08. Amara (729,276)
09. Nasiriyah (671,412)
10. Hillah (641,301)

[Currency](/flags/iraq#currency)[Iraqi dinars (IQD)](/flags/iraq#currency)GDP$234.09 BillionGDP Per Capita$5,955.11

This page was last updated on **February 24, 2021**

## Related

[![A map of Fallujah. ](/r/w1200/upload/3d/69/fe/shutterstock-428943808.jpg)](/articles/second-battle-of-fallujah-2004-iraq-war.html)

### [Second Battle Of Fallujah, 2004 (Iraq War)](/articles/second-battle-of-fallujah-2004-iraq-war.html)

[![The Eternal Fire burning at Baba Gurgur.](/r/w1200/upload/b8/77/38/baba-gurgur.jpg)](/articles/baba-gurgur-eternal-fire-of-iraq.html)

### [Baba Gurgur - Eternal Fire Of Iraq](/articles/baba-gurgur-eternal-fire-of-iraq.html)

[![Members of a Peshmerga armored battalion on a Soviet surplus T-55 main battle tank as they prepare to confront ISIL forces in 2014.](/r/w1200/upload/34/4b/ff/peshmerga.jpg)](/articles/peshmerga-of-iraqi-kurdistan.html)

### [Peshmerga Of Iraqi Kurdistan](/articles/peshmerga-of-iraqi-kurdistan.html)

[![Cheekha Dar rises above therest of the Zagros peaks in Iraqi Kurdistan.](/r/w1200/upload/a1/cb/dd/cheekha-dar.jpg)](/articles/highest-mountains-in-iraq.html)

### [Highest Mountains In Iraq](/articles/highest-mountains-in-iraq.html)

## Latest by WorldAtlas

[![Heceta Head Light one of the many attractions to see in Florence, Oregon.](/r/w1200/upload/88/b8/77/shutterstock-2501979065.jpg)](/cities/these-9-towns-in-oregon-have-bustling-main-streets.html)

### [These 9 Towns in Oregon Have Bustling Main Streets](/cities/these-9-towns-in-oregon-have-bustling-main-streets.html)

[![Street scene from historic downtown Nashville, Indiana, in Brown County, featuring people strolling along the sidewalks.  Editorial credit: Little Vignettes Photo / Shutterstock.com](/r/w1200/upload/2c/b3/d4/shutterstock-2497189741.jpg)](/cities/6-most-laid-back-small-towns-in-indiana.html)

### [6 Most Laid-Back Small Towns in Indiana](/cities/6-most-laid-back-small-towns-in-indiana.html)

[![Pine Bush, NY: Annual UFO Fair celebrating the town's history as a UFO hotspot with themed decorations. Image Credit Paul Juser via Shutterstock.](/r/w1200/upload/86/f1/18/shutterstock-1401652766.jpg)](/cities/7-towns-in-new-york-with-unique-traditions.html)

### [7 Towns in New York with Unique Traditions](/cities/7-towns-in-new-york-with-unique-traditions.html)

[![View of downtown Laramie in Wyoming. Editorial credit: Nagel Photography / Shutterstock.com](/r/w1200/upload/a7/60/e8/shutterstock-2238350105.jpg)](/cities/11-darling-small-towns-in-wyoming.html)

### [11 Darling Small Towns in Wyoming](/cities/11-darling-small-towns-in-wyoming.html)

[![Cayuga and Seneca Canal in Seneca Falls, New York State](/r/w1200/upload/6e/af/e2/shutterstock-2388115053.jpg)](/cities/2024-s-8-most-beautiful-small-towns-in-the-finger-lakes.html)

### [2024's 8 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the Finger Lakes](/cities/2024-s-8-most-beautiful-small-towns-in-the-finger-lakes.html)

[![The Swiss-style village of Grindelwald in Tamar Valley, Tasmania, featuring charming alpine-inspired architecture. Editorial credit: Flexigav / Shutterstock.com](/r/w1200/upload/19/a0/3f/shutterstock-2319476327.jpg)](/cities/8-whimsical-towns-in-tasmania.html)

### [8 Whimsical Towns in Tasmania](/cities/8-whimsical-towns-in-tasmania.html)

[![The Main Street in Ely, Nevada. Editorial credit: Sandra Foyt / Shutterstock.com.](/r/w1200/upload/b2/67/7c/shutterstock-1222333264.jpg)](/cities/these-6-towns-in-nevada-have-bustling-main-streets.html)

### [These 6 Towns In Nevada Have Bustling Main Streets](/cities/these-6-towns-in-nevada-have-bustling-main-streets.html)

[![Cityscape view of Bayfield Wisconsin, as seen from the shores of Lake Superior. Image Credit melissamn via shutterstock.](/r/w1200/upload/e3/65/c8/shutterstock-1543805573.jpg)](/cities/7-towns-in-the-great-lakes-region-with-vibrant-downtown-areas.html)

### [7 Towns in the Great Lakes Region with Vibrant Downtown Areas](/cities/7-towns-in-the-great-lakes-region-with-vibrant-downtown-areas.html)

![WorldAtlas Logo](/nwa_assets/img/site/wa2_logo_text_white.svg)

All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2024 worldatlas.com

- [Home](/)
- [Contact Us](/contact)
- [Privacy](/privacy-policy)
- [Copyright](/copyright)
- [About Us](/about)
- [Fact Checking Policy](/fact-checking-policy)
- [Corrections Policy](/corrections-policy)
- [Ownership Policy](/ownership-policy)

- [Follow us on Flipboard](https://flipboard.com/@Worldatlascom)
- [Visit us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/worldatlas)
- [Visit us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/worldatlas)
- [Visit us on Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.ca/worldatlas/)
- [Visit us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-atlas)

[WorldAtlas Logo](/)

- Continents


- [All Continents](/continents)
- [North America](/webimage/countrys/na.htm)
- [Caribbean](/webimage/countrys/carib.htm)
- [Central America](/webimage/countrys/camerica.htm)
- [South America](/continents/south-america.html)
- [Europe](/webimage/countrys/eu.htm)
- [Africa](/webimage/countrys/af.htm)
- [Middle East](/webimage/countrys/me.htm)
- [Asia](/webimage/countrys/as.htm)
- [Oceania](/webimage/countrys/au.htm)
- [Arctic](/webimage/countrys/polar/arctic.htm)
- [Antarctica](/webimage/countrys/an.htm)

- Countries


- [All Countries](/countries)
- [US Maps](/maps/united-states)
- [China Maps](/maps/china)
- [Russia Maps](/maps/russia)
- [Philippines Maps](/maps/philippines)
- [Egypt Maps](/maps/egypt)

- Geography


- [Bodies of Water](/bodies-of-water/)
- [Landforms](/landforms/)
- [Places](/places/)
- [Nature](/nature/)
- [All Geography](/geography/)

- Education


- [History](/history/)
- [Science](/science/)

- Social Science


- [Society](/society/)
- [Economics](/economics/)
- [Politics](/politics/)

- [About Us](/about)
- [Contact Us](/contact)
- [Privacy](/privacy-policy)
- [Copyright](/copyright)

- [Follow us on Flipboard](https://flipboard.com/@Worldatlascom)
- [Visit us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/worldatlas)
- [Visit us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/worldatlas)
- [Visit us on Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.ca/worldatlas/)

Search WorldAtlas