Capital: Baghdad
Time zone: GMT + 3 (GMT + 4 during the summer).
Telephone services: Country Code: 964
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.
Tourist information: Iraqi Interests Section, 21 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5JG Tel: (020) 7584 7141/6 Fax: (020) 7584 7716.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short-term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.
Visa information: Holders of Israeli passports or other passports containing Israeli visas. US passports are not currently valid for travel to or in Iraq without special validation being required.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists entirely in the vivax variety between May and November.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Visceral leishmaniasis, Bilharzia, Crimean-Congo fever, Rabies.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Iraqi Dinar (ID) = 20 dirhams = 1000 fils
NOTE: Import of local currency is allowed up to ID 25. Export of local currency is limited to ID 5.
Credit cards and travellers cheques are not accepted.
ATM availability: Unavailable
Cost of living: Since the Gulf War and the imposition of United Nations sanctions, Iraq’s economy has become hyper-inflated.
Languages: Mostly Arabic. Some Kurdish, Turkish and Aramaic.
Weather: Summers are hot and dry, winters are warm with some rain.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50 Hz.
Post: Usually takes 5 – 10 days between Europe and Iraq but can take much longer
Transport: BUS: Services run between Baghdad and other main cities. TAXI: Available in the cities. Fares should be agreed in advance. Metered taxies charge twice the amount shown on the meter. CAR HIRE: Available at the airport and in Baghdad. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required and third party insurance is necessary.
Special information: EXTREME RISK. Travelling to Iraq is strongly discouraged by virtually all governments. Visitors should respect the Islamic religion and act accordingly. Avoid taking photographs.