Iraq

摘要

Area: 434,920 sq.km (167,970 sq. miles); 13% arable, 9% meadows and pastures, 3% forest and woodland, 75% other. Coastline: 58km (36 miles). Maritime claims: Territorial waters 22km (12nm). Population: 29,671,605 (July 2010 est); annual growth rate 2.449% (2010 est.). The population is 75-80% Arab, 15 20% Kurdish, 5% Assyrians, Turkomans or other. Religions: 97% Muslim, 3% Christian and other. Languages: Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian. Literacy rate: 74%. Long-form or legal name: Republic of Iraq (Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah). Type of government: Parliamentary democracy. Administrative divisions: 18 governatorates. Legal system: Islamic principles of government. Branches of government: President as the ceremonial Head of State; the President and the two Vice Presidents comprise the Presidency Council; Prime Minister and ministers appointed by the Presidency Council; bicameral Council of Representatives, that elects the Presidency Council and approves the Prime Minister; Federal Judicial Authority. NB: The current Prime Minister has very extensive centralized powers. He is also the Defence Minister, Security Affairs Minister and Interior Minister, and controls the Central Bank, the Independent Higher Electoral Commission, the Human Rights Commission and the anti-corruption watchdog. Suffrage: Universal over age 18. Member of: UN, Arab League, OPEC, OAPEC, Seabeds Committee and others.