Iraq
Iraq Passport Ranking
The Iraqi passport currently ranks at the 105th place according to the Guide Passport Ranking Index. It is considered the second lowest ranking passport in the world. Iraqi passport holders have visa-free access to only 28 countries including Sri Lanka, Dominica, Madagascar and Seychelles. There are 198 destinations for which an Iraqi passport holder requires to obtain a visa prior to traveling. That is the reason why the passport raking is very low on the overall worldwide mobility score. For major destinations such as the USA and the European Union, Iraqis require to apply for a visa in advance. Visa applicants need to present documents such as proof of funds and return flight ticket.
The Republic of Iraq is made of 19 governorates. It is located in the Middle East and borders Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey and Iran. The most significant provinces are Baghdad, Nineveh and Basra. The country has a total surface area of 437,072 square kilometers. Its terrain varies from broad plains, to marshes and mountains. Its climate is mostly of the desert type with cold winters and snow in the mountains.
The overall population is over 38.4 million people. The capital of the country is Baghdad. It is also the most populous city with more than 8.1 million inhabitants. The largest airport is Baghdad International Airport (SDA) with an approximate yearly passenger traffic of 3.7 million people. The airport connects Iraq to regional middle eastern destinations as well as selected European airports.
Iraqi culture is dominated by Islam with 98% of the population being Muslim. The official languages are Arabic and Kurdish. The legal system is a mix of civil and Islamic sharia law. The government form is a federal parliamentary republic. The current chief of state is elect President Barham Salih and the head of government is Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi. Elections are being held every 4 years.
The official currency is the Iraqi Dinar. Its current exchange rate is about 1,192 Dinar to the USD. The country has a state-run economy, generating a GDP of approximately $733 billion. The per capita income is $17,952. The largest portion of the GDP is generated by the services sector and industry. 85% of the country revenue is originating from the oil industry. Iraq’s most important export products are chemicals, textiles, wheat, barley and rice.
The Republic of Iraq has many natural and culturally unique attractions for tourists to explore. The country has a total of 4 UNESCO world heritage sites. A major part of Iraqi tourism is religious tourism for pilgrimages. Main touristic destinations are: Erbil, Ur, Basra, Hatra and Babylon. The capital Baghdad also offers a variety of museums and exhibitions showcasing the history and natural beauty of the country. Iraq is still struggling to attract tourists from outside the region as there is still a general security concern and many governments advise their citizens against traveling to the nation.
Baghdad
