See

Upon arriving in Iraq, there are a myriad of things to see. Topping this list, in my opinion, is the Imam Ali Mosque.  Considered to be the third holiest site for Shia Muslims, this architectural wonder built in 977 is believed to be the burial place of Islam's second most important figure, Ali.

Another breathtaking monument in Iraq is the Ziggurat of Ur, located in the Dhi Qar Provence. Under the rule of Ur-Nammu, this ziggurat was constructed sometime between 2113 and 2096 B.C. This particular site is believed by some historians to be the original site for the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

                                                    

The last place in Iraq I'm forcing you to go to is the Al Shaheed Monument in Baghdad. This monument is dedicated to the Iraqi soldiers who lost their lives in the Iran-Iraq war. Opened in 1983, this monument is one of Iraq's must-see monuments.

Hear

Language: The most commonly spoken language in Iraq is Arabic. Kurdish is also spoken by about 15-20% of the population. While walking down the street, you are more likely to hear Arabic. To help brush up on a few key phrases before your trip, visit the link below!

Helpful Arabic Phrases

Music: There is no way to truly understand Iraqi culture without knowing Kadim Al Sahir. Born in 1957, Kadim's music has earned him the title of "Iraq's Ambassador to the World". Combining pop music with traditional Iraqi scales, Kadim recognized for revitalizing Iraqi music. Continue reading below about Kadim Al Sahir and his impact on Iraqi culture!
                          


More about Kadim Al Sahir

Smell/Taste

The people living in Iraq have been eating Mesopotamian cuisine for well over 10,000 years.  Before leaving this beautiful country, there are three dishes you simply must try.

The first of these dishes is called fesenjan. Fesenjan is a thick and tart stew made from pomegranate syrup and walnuts. Traditionally cooked with duck, fesenjan can also be cooked with lamb, fish, or chicken. It looks like something your dog would leave for you but it tastes amazing!

Another must try Iraqi dish is called dolma.  Dolma is a generic term for stuffed vegetables and is a common dish all over the world. In Iraq, however, the dish is uniquely wrapped in grape leaves and served without yogurt. The most common vegetables to find in this dish are zucchinis, eggplants, and tomatoes. Commonly served as an appetizer, you are extremely likely to run into this dish during your trip.

The last dish I'm ordering you to order is called biryani. Biryani is a rice based dish. Uniquely, this dish is usually spiced with saffron and can be served with chicken, mutton, lamb, eggs, or vegetables depending on preference.

Feel

Located in the Middle East, average temperatures in Iraq range from higher than 100 degrees in July to below freezing in January.  Most of the rainfall in this region occurs between December and April and ranges from 3.9-7.1 inches annually.  Here on the west coast of the United States, we are only accustomed to mild weather such as rain, sun, and the occasional snow fall. However, in Iraq another weather phenomena they are known for is sandstorms. Sand storms occur when heavy winds pick up dust and sand particles.  These walls of sand can reach up to 1.6 kilometers high and limit visibility to mere meters, as seen in the video below. When you are in Iraq, make sure you stay up to date on the weather so you are not trapped in a storm like this one.

History of the region

Nicknamed, "The Cradle of Civilization" Ancient Iraq was home of the Sumerian Civilization. Baghdad, the capital of modern day Iraq, is dissected by the Tigris river (as seen below). Flourishing between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers for over 3,000 years, the Sumerians developed the first use of irrigation for farming as well as the very first writing system known to man. Responsible for so many vital inventions such as the wheel, astronomy, metal works, and written laws, the history of Iraq makes our own country seem like it is still in its infancy. 

A map of modern day Baghdad