| Iraq, also Irak,
republic in Southwest Asia, bounded on
the north by Turkey; on the east by Iran;
on the south by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and
the Persian
Gulf; and
on the west by Jordan and Syria. 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 on
either side of the two rivers is fertile
plain. Some of the world's greatest
ancient civilizations were developed in
the area that makes up modern Iraq. See Assyria; Babylonia; Mesopotamia; Sumer.
In the capital, Baghad, the Government aims to
preserve the city's Islamic character by
protecting historic buildings such as the
Ike Abbasid Palace. Long-established
markets still trade and the River Tigris
is a central feature of the city.
South of the capital is
Babylon. The city, and its famous
Hanging Gardens, are now being restored.
Popular Iraqi dishes
include kubba and dolma
(vine leaves stuffed with rice and meat).
Baghad has some nightclubs with
cabaret, music and dancing, as do other
main towns.
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