Sulaymaniyah. This is one of the most welcoming, relaxed and best cities in Iraq. Sulaymaniyah is situated in the rugged mountains in northern Iraq. This city has a cool climate compared with many other cities in the country.
Kurdistan region
The Kurdish region of Iraq as well as the only autonomous region in the country. Officially called Kurdistan is usually considered the safest region of Iraq for travel.
Most and foremost, Iraqi Kurdistan is a very safe travel destination. Period. Locals in Iraqi Kurdistan, namely Kurdish people, are some of the nicest people in the world. I have to mention it in every single blog that I write.
Over 90 percent of Kurdistan Region's population is Muslim. Alcohol is forbidden in Islam.
From politicians and activists, to entrepreneurs and musicians, a range of well-known figures hail from the Kurdistan region. From creating the world's leading Greek yogurt brand to heroically protecting the rights of Kurdish people, prominent Kurdish figures have deeply impacted every society they've touched.
Do not travel near Iraq's northern borders due to the continued threat of attacks by terrorist groups, armed conflict, aerial bombardment, and civil unrest. U.S. citizens should especially avoid areas near armed groups in northern Iraq, which have been targeted with aerial strikes by neighboring countries' militaries.
Iraq - AVOID ALL TRAVEL
Avoid all travel to Iraq due to a continued volatile, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous security situation. If you are in Iraq, consider departing by commercial means if it is safe to do so.
Though traveling to areas like Basra, Najaf, Karbala, and the majority of Kurdistan is safe, and the north-east provinces which comprise Iraqi Kurdistan can be considered somewhat safe, you should still travel to this country only in cases of absolute necessity.
Basra, the richest city in Iraq with little water to drink.
Iran and Iraq are very close allies supporting each other against the Islamic State. The relationship between the two countries is strong in part due to the fact that both governments operate on a Shi'ite system of governance.
Iraq's capital Baghdad is the worst city in the world to live in, according to a consulting group. The survey by Mercer, released last month, assesses quality of life in 239 cities, looking at factors such as political stability, crime and pollution.
Iraq is a federal parliamentary republic. The president is the head of state, the prime minister is the head of government, and the constitution provides for two deliberative bodies, the Council of Representatives and the Council of Union. The judiciary is free and independent of the executive and the legislature.
Shafaq News / Global Finance magazine, specialized in classifying the countries of the world, revealed that Iraq ranked 83rd in the richest countries in the world for the year 2020, while the State of Qatar ranked first.
Iraq is home to diverse ethnic groups who have contributed to the wide spectrum of the Iraqi Culture. The country is known for its poets، architects، painters and sculptors who are among the best in the region, some of them being world-class.
It should be noted, however, that some incidents have occurred in recent years — but nothing like the numerous tragedies which were common from 2003-2015. The city sees some random and sporadic attacks every 6 months or so, but on the whole, is safe to visit now. What is there to do in Baghdad?
Ladies, Iraqi Kurdistan is a safe destination for women but, like in any place around the world, apply common sense and follow your female instinct. Still, I firmly believe that, besides being an actual off-beat Muslim destination, traveling as a woman is easier than in other mass tourism destinations.
Living conditions in Iraq are often strenuous and many people struggle with poverty, unemployment and malnutrition. The struggle has marked the recent past for many Iraqis, however, despite setbacks, the country is trying to rebuild itself.
Alcohol is legal to consume, import and trade in Iraq on a federal level—with restrictions on the religion of the licensee, hours of operation and proximity to mosques, hospitals and schools.
Avoid telling crass or dirty jokes. Such humour is not appreciated in Iraq. Do not take photos or videos of an Iraqi without permission — especially if they are a woman. Do not speak critically of Islam or Islamic taboos (alcohol, pork, use of left hand, separation of the genders).
Iraq has long reflected cultural diversity. Although Iraqis generally are a religious and conservative people, there are strong secular tendencies in the country. Iraq is a Muslim nation with Arabic and Kurdish as its official languages. As such, Islamic holidays are celebrated.
Before Islam, the majority of Kurds followed a western Iranic pre-Zoroastrian faith which derived directly from Indo-Iranian tradition, some elements of this faith survived in Yezidism, Yarsanism and Kurdish Alevism. Kurds were a nation divided between the Byzantine and Persian Empires when Islam first appeared.
The majority of Kurds are Sunni Muslim, with Alevi Shi'a Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and Yezidi communities.
Kurds are an Iranian people, and the first known Indo-Iranians in the region were the Mitanni, who established a kingdom in northern Syria five centuries after the fall of Gutium. The Mitanni are believed to have spoken an Indo-Aryan language, or perhaps a pre-split Indo-Iranian language.