12 Interesting Facts About Iraq – Cradle Of Civiliization

Here are some amazing facts about Iraq!

1. You’d be surprised to know that Iraq is home to the world’s first and oldest known writing system developed around 3200 B.C. Known as cuneiform, it uses about 600 signs instead of an alphabets. 

2. The Epic of Gilgamesh, the world’s first written story, narrates the adventures of a legendary king who fought to preserve an ancient Iraqi city.

3. A popular nickname for the capital and largest city, Baghdad is “City of Peace”. The name, “Cradle of Civilization”, for Iraq is a common moniker reflecting the country’s deep history.

4. Did you know, that in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries, Baghdad was considered to be the largest city in the world and possibly the first to reach over one million residents?

5. Al-Shaheed Monument, also known as the Martyr’s Memorial, is a monument dedicated to the Iraqi soldiers who died in the Iran–Iraq War.

6. With its 143.1 billion barrels of proved oil reserves, Iraq ranks third in the world behind Venezuela and Saudi Arabia in the amount of oil reserves. Iraq’s rapidly growing economy is emerging as an engine of growth in the Middle East and a key player in international energy markets.

7. Did you know, that production of honey and its trade is a major industry in Iraq? For 5,000 years Iraqis have been keeping bees. Honey is an important source of food and income for many Iraq families and it is known as a miracle cure in the country.

8. The 7,000-year-old citadel of Erbil has an illustrious history and can be compared to other greats like Cadiz and Byblos. The massive castle in the center of the city is a great highlight here, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

9. You’d be intrigued to know that the ancient abandoned ruins of Dur-Kurigalzu date back 3,500 years and this part of Iraq used to be the heart of the Cradle of Civilization of southern Mesopotamia.

10. Did you ever notice that the common superstition of being afraid of black cats originally began here?

11. In Iraq, eating with the left hand is considered to be offensive, quite weird right? Also, it is not considered rude in Iraq to eat food quickly or without utensils. In fact, it is a sign to the host or hostess that the food is delicious.

12. Did you know that Iraqis celebrate two New Year’s Days? The first celebration is Muharram on the first month of the Muslim calendar. Some Iraqis also celebrate New Year’s Eve on December 31 of the Gregorian calendar!

That was it for Iraq, hope you found the blog interesting! We’ll be back soon with other such blogs and videos!

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