Iraq is the country of Mesopotamia or Land Between the Rivers in classical times.
Anyone travelling in these lands should read about the many civilizations that have passed through here. As a minimum be prepared on Sumer, Babylon, Assur, Persians, Greeks, Romans and finally Arabs. You will find many hundreds of ruins of cities everywhere you go.
It has a subtropical climate, with a tendency in direction of continental climate in the north. Iraq is very dependent on water from Tigris and Euphrates, as there is little rain falling here. The west and south is mostly stone desert. The country became known as Iraq in the 7th century. It’s the land were paradise allegedly once was. The region's extensive alluvial plains gave rise to the world's earliest civilizations, though in recent times it was not all that civilized. The modern Iraq was created in the aftermath of World War I and gained independence in 1932. Since then there was war on Iran, Syria, and most recently the invasion of Kuwait that led to the Gulf War. Internally the country has known violent uprising of Kurdish minorities answered by bloody suppression. After the monarchy was overthrown in 1958 there was a period of political instability with coups and countercoups until Saddam Hussein seized power in the 70s.

Iraq used to be one of the world's leading oil producers. In recent decades a steady cash flow generated by the black gold was the engine behind ambitious building projects and development programs and to build one of the largest and most powerful armies in the Middle East. Its strength was demonstrated during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88) and in the 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

Everyone that has seen the images of missiles and bombs falling on the capital Baghdad will understand that this is not a holiday destination for the mentally sane. Economy has been totally disrupted by the war and reconstruction is slow. Tension between US and UK troops are still high.

Theoretically there’s the possibility to cross the northern borders from Turkey or Jordan, but the ongoing struggle for Kurdish independence also makes this area hazardous. There are no commercial flights to Baghdad and the borders to Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and of course Kuwait are closed of.

Should it become easier to visit Iraq then the highlights of your visit would include Mosul in the north, with the big Assyrian cities of Ninevah and Nimrod close by, Baghdad , the capital, Karbala and An najaf just south of Baghdad, with the tombs of Ali and Husain, two very important Shiite religious leaders and Basra in the south.

Irak is the dream of any historian and archeolog. For the west, its were it all began. All those small hills you see on the highway, those are Tells, the ruins of ancient cities.

Asia Travel Information

When To Visit Hong Kong

Subtropical Hong Kong has four distinguishable seasons. Good weather makes it an ideal destination for travelers all year round. The peak travel season is in autumn, from September to around Christmas time. The spring, from March to mid-May, tends to be warm and humid, accompanied by fogs and drizzles. The average

Visa Information For Tourists

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General Information For Tourists

1. Airport Tax Any passengers departing Myanmar on international flights will need to pay a departure tax of US$ 10.00 per person. 2. Duty Free Allowance Two bottles of liquor; two cartons of cigarettes; 100 cigars; 1.5 lbs. of tobacco; and one pint bottle of perfume or eau de cologne. 3. Currency The monetary unit

Orientation Of Hong Kong

Hong Kong is conveniently divided into four parts. First there is Hong Kong Island, the original part of the colony on which stands Hong Kong Central, the city of Hong Kong. A short ferry ride across the harbour from the island is the Kowloon peninsula which is also totally city.

General Information For Tourists - II

20. Religion The majority of the people of Myanmar are Buddhist although Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are also practiced. 21. Telecommunications Telephones & fax facilities are available in most hotels in Yangon and Mandalay but charges are quite expensive. E mail facilities are now available at many hotels and local businesses in Yangon

Myanmar Tourist Guides — Attractions

I. City - Rangoon: Rangoon, the capital of Myanmar is the host for some of the world’s mind-blowing wonders, like the: 1. Shwedagon Pagoda: Rudyard Kipling termed it as the .Golden Wonder.. It looks beautiful during sunset as the last rays fall on the soft golden dome, making it glitter. The great

Shopping Attraction In Hong Kong

Hong Kong, as a free port, showcases commodities from all over the world without tariff and usually accompanied by seasonal sales. This long known Shopping Paradise sates every taste and budget. I. Hot Areas Shopping areas are roughly divided into Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The highlights are Central, North Point, Admiralty

Getting In & Out Of Hong Kong

There are for basic way of getting in to Hong Kong that is by Air, Train, Sea & Bus; which is basic mode of transportation for getting into a country. 1. By Air Hong Kong International Airport is world class. Sixty airlines ferry passengers to 140 locations around the world. The gateway

Getting Around Hong Kong

Sight seeing in Hong Kong is made easy for the visitors through variety of public transportation which can be termed as life line of Hong Kong Tourism. 1. Taxi Color coded taxis operate in different districts of Hong Kong. Fare, depending on districts, starts from HKD12 to 15 for the first two

Myanmar Tourist Guides — Attractions

City - Mandalay: Second capital after Rangoon, has world’s largest stone book situated in the compound of the 'Kuthodaw Pagoda' where Buddhist scriptures are inscribed on 729 stone slabs. The delicate tapestry works, stone sculpture, the time-honored art of gold leaf home industry is definitely worth a visit. Bagan is known as

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