Iraq

Iraq is a country in the Middle East. It is often called the Cradle of Civilization because the first cities, writing, and laws were created there thousands of years ago. The ancient land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers was called Mesopotamia.

Land and People

About 43 million people live in Iraq. The capital is Baghdad. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow through the country and provide water for farming. Iraq has deserts in the west and marshlands in the south.

Culture and Fun Facts

Ancient Mesopotamians in Iraq invented writing, the wheel, and the first system of math. People eat masgouf, a grilled fish dish, and biryani rice. Iraqi tea is served sweet and strong. The marshlands of southern Iraq have unique floating houses made of reeds.

Fun Facts

• Writing was invented in ancient Mesopotamia, which is modern-day Iraq.
• The ancient city of Babylon in Iraq had one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Hanging Gardens.
• Iraq's marshlands have floating houses made entirely of reeds.

Did You Know?

The first system of writing was invented in Iraq over 5,000 years ago. It was called cuneiform and was pressed into soft clay tablets with a reed. Thousands of these tablets have been found and they tell us about life in the first cities ever built.