There are indications that Iraq is on the road to a more stable future. After all, the area of present-day Iraq was the cradle of human civilization. You might also be interested to visit for business purpose or assess the business risks in Iraq. Anyhow, if you are going to visit it, it is recommended to read the following tips.
- Language and religion
The languages in Iraq vary, such as Arabic, Assyrian, and Armenian. Religions come in the following sequence: Muslims 97%, 60% -65% Shiites, Sunni 32% -37%, Christians and others 3%.
- Climate and weather
Extreme summer heat is experienced in Iraq, compounded by the lack of air conditioning due to frequent power outages. In Iraq, there is a lot of risk from floods and droughts. Large rivers can overflow during the rainy season. Long summers without precipitation are not uncommon. Iraq is not a means of earthquake epicentres, but it knows that even the risk is moderate to high. If a disaster or an unexpected event during your stay, it is advisable to contact your family or friends as soon as possible to inform them of your situation and reassure them. If communications are impossible for foreigners, use the services of an embassy of a Member State of the European Union.
- Medical attention
The situation is uncertain and unreliable. Infrastructure and medications are not always present everywhere. Some hospitals also suffer from interruptions of electric current and water distribution. Insecurity and checkpoints can make access to hospitals difficult or impossible in some places. Do not forget your complete first aid kit. Drinking water and food can also be a risk; it is not reliable, except for imported products. In some places, the water supply is not secured or contaminated. Always try to drink bottled water.
- Security
The security situation in Iraq is very ambiguous. On the one hand, in all the big cities in every corner of the representatives of local coalition forces, the army and the police, they perform their duties strongly (they can often be much more dangerous than terrorists). On the other hand, there is protection for tourists, who cannot provide such effective control only the concentration areas of military and government buildings.
The remaining parts of the two major cities and rural areas are generally under the control of the main ethnic and religious groups, obeying only their leaders. The main danger in the territory of Iraq is the mines, unexploded ordnance and explosive devices, deliberately established by terrorist groups on traffic routes and convoys in the areas of markets, mosques and government buildings.
- Be careful when taking photos
In military barracks, photography is prohibited. Similarly, in mosques, in large strategic areas (airports, bridges), or picture of the local women, ask for permission first, even if they seem pleased to be photographed.
- Food and drinks in Iraq
Iraqi specialties include wheat with ground beef, dolma (grape leaves, cabbage, lettuce, onion, eggplant, zucchini or cucumbers stuffed with rice, meat and spices), Tikka (roasted lamb on a spit), Quozi (whole lamb, which It is served stuffed cooked, then grilled with rice, minced meat and spices in the rice) and Masgouf (Tigris fish).
Drinks: In the context of Islamic laws, alcohol consumption is strictly restricted and is available only in international hotels. During the lunar month of Ramadan, smoking and drinking in public is prohibited. You may need a license for alcohol consumption.
- Transportation
Aircraft: Civil air transport between Erbil, Baghdad, Basra, Mosul and Sulaimaniya develops slowly and is constantly expanding.
Road: Before travelling by car, you must be warned. There are roadblocks and mines are to be expected. Drive on the right. Rental cars are available at the airport.
- Iraq Calendar
January 1: National Commemoration Day, December 31, 2008.
January 6: Army Day.
March 21: New Zoroastre and celebration of the divine spirit Asha Vahishta, creator of the fire year.
April 9: Saddam Hussein Fall Day
July 14: National coup commemoration day of 1958. The army killed King Faisal, and Prince Abdul Illah seized Baghdad and proclaimed the Republic of Iraq.
August 8: Peace Day, marked the end of the war with Iran in 1988.
November 17: Baghdad Festival
- Tips
Most taxi drivers do not expect tips.
- Code of Conduct
Iraq is a country of great cultural wealth with a long and colourful history. Today, traditional Islamic culture prevails, and the religious laws of the Koran determine daily routine.
As a visitor, it is advised to respect religious customs and wear modest clothes. Hosts should always be approached with the title and full name.
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