Iraq

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 Background Historical sketch (the ancient kingdoms, Umayyads, Abassids and Ottomans, the emergency of modern Iraq, Saddam's Iraq, life under sanctions, post-Saddam Iraq), Geography 5, Climate 6, Flora and fauna , Population , Government , Iraq Governorates , Major towns , Economy , Ethnic groups and languages , Religion: the Sunni-Shia divide, archaeological sites. Chapter 2 Practical Information When to visit and how, Highlights/suggested Itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Heath. Safety, What to take, money (budgeting), Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Photography, Media and Communications, Business, Buying property, Embassies, Cultural dos and don'ts, Interacting with local people, Giving something back. PART TWO GUIDE TO IRAQ Chapter 3 Baghdad and the Sunni Triangle Introduction: Background, the founder of Baghdad, growth and prosperity, decline of Baghdad, rebirth and conflict, Mongol rule, the Ottoman Era, the 20th century, the 2003 war, After the war, sectarian cleansing, bloodshed and the Green Zone, Baghdad Today: life goes on despite the bombs. Baghdad sites: getting there and away, embassies, where to stay, what to eat, entertainment, what to see: archaeological sites, museums, art galleries, historical buildings, mosques and shrines, churches, parks, monuments, shopping, Baghdad tour. Beyond Baghdad: Kut, Fallujah, Ramadi, Ruthba, Habbiniyah Tourist Village. Chapter 4 The South Introduction: The Shia heartland - how it all began, history, the 20th century, the 2003 war. Najaf and Kerbala, Kufa, Kifal,Ein Al Tamr. The marshlands. The cities of the south: Amarah, Nasiriyah, Ubaid, Al Azair, Basrah, Abul Khasib, Um Kasr, Safwan. Chapter 5 The north Mosul and Kirkuk PART THREE GUIDE TO IRAQI KURDISTAN Chapter 6 Background information, practical information. Dohuk Arbil Suleimaniyah Chapter 7 Postscript Appendix 1 Further Information Bibliography