Iraq is located in Southwest Asia between Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria. It has a hot climate and its geography is defined by the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The environment has been devastated by wars and neglect, polluting the rivers. Efforts are underway to improve sanitation, water access, and environmental protection. Iraq has significant oil reserves and agriculture along the rivers, but its economy was damaged by wars with Iran and Kuwait under Saddam Hussein's rule from 1979 to 2003.

1. IRAQ Eliah English Mr. Sparks 8A

7. History of Iraq The people who make up the government - called the cabinet - were finally approved in May 2006 after a lot of disagreements. The prime minister is called Nouri Maliki. Saddam Hussein was killed by hanging on 30 December, 2006, in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. Saddam was sentenced to death on 5 November 2006. He appealed against the decision but he lost the appeal. Saddam Hussein seized power in 1997. The UK and US supported Saddam because he helped them fight a nabjoring country called Iran. Iraq achieves independence from Britain (Oct. 3). Faisal 1 becomes king of Iraq (Aug.23) Iraq comes under British mandate after the fall of the Ottoman empire in 1918. Known as Mesopotamia, the world's first civilization developed in Sumer, a region now in southeastern Iraq. May 2006 December 2006 November 2006 1979-2003 1932 1921 1920 c. 3500 BCE A new start for Iraq Saddam Hussein’s death Saddam Hussein’s death sentence Saddam Hussein come to rule Independence King Faisal Becomes British mandate The birth of Mesopotamia