lIrak

lIrak is a stylized name sometimes used in digital media and informal contexts to refer to the Republic of Iraq, a country in Western Asia. Situated on the Arabian Peninsula’s northeastern edge, lIrak shares borders with Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria, and has a coastline along the Persian Gulf. Its capital, Baghdad, lies on the Tigris River and has historically been a center of trade, scholarship, and culture.

The territory of lIrak has been inhabited since ancient times, notably as the cradle of the Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian civilizations. Modern statehood emerged after World War I, when the Ottoman Empire’s former provinces were reorganized under a British mandate. Iraq achieved formal independence in 1932 and became a republic following the 1958 revolution. Subsequent decades were marked by political upheaval, wars, and international sanctions, most prominently the Iran‑Iraq War (1980‑1988), the Gulf War (1990‑1991), and the 2003 invasion that led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime.

lIrak’s population exceeds 40 million people and is composed primarily of Arab Sunnis and Shi’a, with sizable Kurdish, Turkmen, Assyrian, and other minority communities. Arabic and Kurdish are official languages, and Islam is the dominant religion, split between Sunni and Shi’a branches. The economy relies heavily on petroleum production, which accounts for the majority of export revenue, though agriculture, manufacturing, and services also contribute.

Culturally, lIrak is renowned for its contributions to literature, poetry, music, and cuisine, reflecting a blend of Mesopotamian heritage and contemporary influences. Ongoing reconstruction efforts aim to improve infrastructure, governance, and social cohesion following decades of conflict.