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

General Information About Burma

Truly, Myanmar is one of the most magical and beautiful places in the world. It has more historic religious temples than anywhere on earth, and the oldest archaeological site in South East Asia. To this day Myanmar remains one of the most mysterious and undiscovered destinations in the world. A

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

Top Rated Tourist Attractions In Hong Kong

Hong Kong is full of fabulous events and attractions. The following are a few of the must-sees rated tops by tourists. Victoria Peak is the best place from which to admire the lights of this Oriental Pearl. Peak Tower with its famous wok-like architecture standing at the exit of Peak Tram.

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

Fast Facts About Hong Kong

1. Telephone System Public telephones in Hong Kong belong to the following 6 types: Yellow telephone only for local calls: accepting 1- or 2- HKD coins Yellow telephone for international calls: accepting 1-, 2- or 5- HKD coins Silver telephone: accepting 1-, 2- or 5- HKD coins Telephone accepting magnetic cards and coins for international

General Information About Hong Kong

Hong Kong has very close counter with its parent Nation that is China, its is precariously perched on the side of China, Hong Kong is a curious anomaly. With unofficial blessing of the largest Communist country in the world Hong Kong is energetic paragon of the virtues of capitalism. Hong

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

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

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

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

Asia News

Asiapacific countries meet on forestry

Asiapacific countries meet on forestry The fragility of the Himalayan eco-system and the forest-dependent local economy, along with other forestry problems, will come up for discussion when the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission meets tomorrow in Dehra Dun, which is fast emerging as Indias forestry capital. Participants from 30 countries

Asia stocks up modestly, dlr steadies before Fed

Asia stocks up modestly, dlr steadies before Fed Asian stock markets made modest gains on Tuesday as investors waited for the first policy decision of the Federal Reserve under chairman Ben Bernanke and, more importantly, clues on the outlook for U.S interest rates. Gold held above $566 an ounce, even as the

HIV epidemic could hit Asia-Pacific drug users: UN

HIV epidemic could hit Asia-Pacific drug users: UN Asia-Pacific countries risk a full-blown HIV epidemic among drug users unless governments do more to keep youths off drugs and make clean needles available, a UN official said today. Injecting drug use or IDU fuels at least 70 per cent of HIV

Asia tracks strong gains in Japan, Hong Kong

Asia tracks strong gains in Japan, Hong Kong U.S.-listed shares of Asian companies rose Wednesday, finding support in a strong performance in their home markets and a second day of gains on Wall Street, where traders reacted positively to a tamer-than-expected consumer inflation report. The Bank of New York Asia ADR Index

Singapore to create investment funds for Asias infrastructure needs

Singapore to create investment funds for Asias infrastructure needs Singapore is seeking to tap opportunities in Asias infrastructure building growth, and it hopes to attract investors by providing incentives for infrastructure funds. Asian countries are expected to spend US$250b a year over the next five years to build large-scale projects such

Japan are the champions of Asia

Japan are the champions of Asia Japan beat Korea to take their title from them and Chinese Taipei beat Thailand and so qualified for the IRB's Under-19 Championship in Dubai in April 2006. Japan beat the holders of the title Korea. Both teams will be in Dubai, Japan in

China's economic development benefits Asia

China's economic development benefits Asia China's rapid economic development has stimulated countries in Southeast and East Asia to improve their economies, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said in Jakarta on Friday. Speaking at an annual press statement event, the minister said: "The awakening of China's economy, ranking fifth-largest in the world,

SABMiller bets on China in Asia

SABMiller bets on China in Asia SABMiller Plc. (SAB.L: Quote, Profile, Research) expects its beer sales in China to grow by double-digit percentages in coming years, as it clamps the brakes on a recent acquisition spree to focus on its existing business. London-based SABMiller -- purveyors of Miller Lite, Peroni and Castle

Asia's second budget airline terminal opens with a whisper

Asia's second budget airline terminal opens with a whisper Asia's second budget airline terminal opened Sunday at Changi Airport with only one airline using it, but authorities expressed optimism that more would follow. Tiger Airways, backed by Singapore Airlines and the government's investment arm Temasek Holdings, is the only one to

Ice hockey: Kokudo wins 2nd straight Asia League title+

Ice hockey: Kokudo wins 2nd straight Asia League title+ Takahito Suzuki scored the go-ahead goal with less than five minutes left in the final period Sunday as Kokudo beat the Nippon Paper Cranes 4-3 in decisive Game 5 of the playoff final to retain its Asia League title. Two goals from former