Iraqi

Iraqi is a term that refers to anything related to Iraq, a country in Western Asia, or to its citizens. As a noun, an Iraqi is a person who holds citizenship of Iraq or who identifies with its nation. As an adjective, Iraqi describes something of, from, or related to Iraq.

Iraq is ethnically and religiously diverse. The largest group are Arabs, followed by Kurds, with minority communities including Turkmen, Assyrians/Syriacs, Shabaks, and others. The country’s official languages are Arabic and Kurdish, with additional minority languages such as Turkmen, Syriac, and Neo-Aramaic spoken by communities. Islam is the dominant religion, with Shia Muslims concentrated in the south and east and Sunni Muslims in central regions; there are also Christians, Yazidis, Mandaeans, and other faith communities.

Historically, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates is part of ancient Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization. In the 20th century, modern Iraq emerged as a kingdom under British mandate, gained independence in 1932, and underwent several regime changes, including a 1958 revolution and the establishment of a republic. The late 20th and early 21st centuries were marked by conflict, including wars with Iran, the Gulf War, the 2003 US-led invasion, sectarian violence, and the territorial defeat of the Islamic State in 2017.

Economically, Iraq is heavily dependent on oil and gas; energy exports have driven growth but have also exposed the economy to price volatility and reconstruction needs. Iraq is a member of OPEC. The country faces ongoing challenges such as political instability, governance, infrastructure rebuilding, and regional security. Iraqi culture encompasses rich traditions in music, literature, cuisine (such as masgouf and dolma), and craft, reflecting its diverse heritage.