Iraqs

Iraqs is not a standard or widely accepted term for describing people from Iraq. The conventional demonym is Iraqi (adjective) or Iraqis (plural noun). In most uses, “Iraqs” would be considered nonstandard or an error, and references to the country use Iraq or Iraqi/Iraqis.

Geography and political structure. Iraq is a country in the Middle East, located in the Tigris–Euphrates river valley. It borders Turkey and Iran to the north and east, Kuwait to the southeast, Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the southwest, and Syria to the west; it has a coastline on the Persian Gulf. The capital is Baghdad. The country is divided into 18 governorates, with a semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region in the north that has its own government and security forces. The national government operates as a federal parliamentary republic established by the 2005 constitution.

Demographics and society. Iraq is home to a diverse population, with Arabs and Kurds forming the largest groups, and minorities such as Turkmen, Assyrians/Syriacs, Shabaks, Yazidis, and Mandaeans. Official languages are Arabic and Kurdish, with other languages spoken by minority communities. The population is predominantly Muslim—split between Shia and Sunni communities—with minority religions including Christians and smaller religious groups.

History and economy. Modern Iraq emerged from the aftermath of World War I and British mandate administration, gaining independence in 1932. The country experienced decades of political upheaval, wars, and sanctions, culminating in the 2003 US-led invasion. A 2005 constitution established a federal republic. Iraq defeated the Islamic State in 2017 and has since faced reconstruction, governance challenges, and efforts to stabilize an oil-dependent economy.