Iraq shares borders with Turkey, Iran, the Gulf of Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria. There is also a neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia administered jointly by the two countries. Iraq's portion covers 3522 sq km (1360 sq miles). The country's main topographical features are the two rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates, which flow from the Turkish and Syrian borders in the north to the Gulf in the south. The northeast is mountainous, while in the west the country is arid desert. The land surrounding the two rivers is fertile plain, but the lack of effective irrigation has resulted in flooding and areas of marshland.

The northern portion of Iraq, known as Al Jazîra, is mountainous. Elevations of about 2100 m (about 7000 ft) above sea level are reached near the Turkish border; in the northeastern part of the country there are peaks ranging to 3600 m (11,811 ft) atop Mount Ebrâhîm (Kûh-e ?âjî Ebrâhîm). Farther south the country slopes downward to form a broad, central alluvial plain, which encompasses the valley of the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers. The extreme southeastern portion of Iraq is a low-lying, marshy area adjacent to the Persian Gulf, on which Iraq fronts for a distance of about 40 km (about 25 mi). West of the Euphrates, the land rises gradually to meet the Syrian Desert.

Present-day Iraq occupies the greater part of the ancient land of Mesopotamia, the plain between the Tigris and the Euphrates. The two rivers flow through Iraq from northwest to southeast. They meet about 160 km (about 100 mi) north of the Persian Gulf to form the Shatt al Arab, which drains into the gulf. The chief tributaries of the Tigris are the Great Zab, the Little Zab, and the Diyâlá rivers. Level terrain separates the Tigris and the Euphrates in their lower courses. In ancient times the two rivers were joined by a network of canals and irrigation ditches, which directed the water of the higher-lying and more westerly Euphrates across the valley into the Tigris.

Nutural Resources

The natural resources of Iraq are primarily mineral. In addition to small deposits of salt, coal, gypsum, and sulfur, the country is well endowed with petroleum resources and has areas of rich soil.

Plants & Animals

Vegetation is scanty throughout Iraq. The southern and southwestern parts of the country are desert areas. The country has few trees, except for the cultivated date palm and the poplar. Among the fauna are the cheetah, gazelle, antelope, wild ass, lion, hyena, wolf, jackal, wild pig, hare, jerboa, and bat. Numerous birds of prey exist, including the vulture, buzzard, raven, owl, and various species of hawk; other birds include duck, geese, partridges, and sand grouse. Lizards are fairly common.

Soils

The soils of Iraq are of two different kinds. Heavy alluvial deposits, containing a significant amount of humus and clay, make up one type and are useful for construction. The lighter soils, lacking in humus and clay content, contain wind-deposited nutrients. A high saline content mars the otherwise rich composition of the soils. Irrigation and flood-control projects on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers help increase the agricultural production of this area.