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

Visa Information For Tourists

Most visitors to Hong Kong still don't need a visa. The exception is for blacklisted countries, many of which (ironically) have or had communist regimes: Hong Kong has always made it difficult for nationals from such countries to enter its borders, and despite the return of Hong Kong to the

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

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

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

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

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

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

Festivals in Myanmar

Myanmar is a Land of Festivals: a festival for every month of the year. Most festivals are cultural and religious. Majority are nation-wide celebrated while a few are distinctly regional. The dates of the festivals and special events are determined by the Lunar Year. 1. January • Kayin New Year celebrated on

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General Information For Tourists - I

11. Climate & Weather Myanmar has three seasons. 1. Cool Season - October through February with average temperatures 20-24 C, 2. Hot Season - March through May with average temperatures 30-35 C, 3. Wet Season - June through September with average temperatures 25-30 C. The ideal time to visit Myanmar is

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