تاريخ وثقافة العراق

Iraq's history stretches back to ancient civlizations such as Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria which left behind famous archaeological locations. In the 4th century, Iraq became a prominent part of the Islamic world and, by the mid-800s, Baghdad had become one of the most populous cities in the world. The Ottoman Empire dominated Iraq for almost 400 years, with British troops reclaiming control in World War I. Iraq eventually gained its independence in 1932.

Iraq has a diverse culture with a long and complex history. There are many different types of ethnic and religious groups in the country, which has been the source of political and social tension. Islam is the largest and most dominant religion in Iraq, comprising the faith of around 97 percent of the population. Arabic is the official language of Iraq but Kurdish, Assyrian/Aramaic, and Turkmen are also widely spoken by local populations. Iraqi music and dance has traditional elements that draw from pre-Islamic times, although aspects of contemporary Western culture have influenced the country.