Iraq in Perspective: Orientation Guide, Iraqi, Kurmanji, Sorani Cultural Orientation: Baghdad, Mosul, Geography, History, Military, Islam, Traditions, Cultures, Kurds, Yazidis, Hussein, Wars

This is a professionally-formatted, free flowing ebook reproduction of four unique, up-to-date guides produced by the Department of Defense that provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in Iraq, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more. Separate guides cover Iraq in Perspective - An Orientation Guide, Iraqi Cultural Orientation, Kurmanji Cultural Orientation, Sorani Cultural Orientation.

Iraq in Perspective - An Orientation Guide - Chapter 1 - Geography * Introduction * Geographic Divisions * Desert * Upper Tigris and Euphrates Upland * Northeast Highlands * Alluvial Plains * Climate * Major Rivers * Tigris River * Euphrates River * Shatt al-Arab * Major Cities * Baghdad * Basrah * Mosul (Al-Mawsil) * Kirkuk * Arbil * Natural Hazards * Environmental Concerns * Chapter 2 - History * Introduction * Ancient Cultures of Mesopotamia * Spread of Islam * Ottoman and Safavid Conflict * The Ottoman Era * World War I and the British Mandate * Faisal I and the Hashemite Kingdom * Independence and World War II * Post-World War II * The Fall of the Hashemite Monarchy * The Qasim Regime * The Arif Brothers and the Ba'athists * The Rise of Saddam Hussein * Kurdish Push for Autonomy * The Iran-Iraq War * The First Persian Gulf War * Sanctions * Weapons Inspections * Invasion and Subsequent Iraqi Governance * Security Efforts * Recent Events * Chapter 3 - Economy * Introduction * The Development of Iraq's Economy * Agriculture * Industry * Services * Banking * Tourism * Energy * Oil * Natural Gas * Electricity * Trade * Standard of Living * Transportation * Investment Climate * Business Outlook * Chapter 4 - Society * Introduction * Religion and Ethnicity * Religion * Ethnicity * Languages * Gender Issues * Honor Killings * Cuisine * Traditional Dress * The Arts * Sports * Chapter 5 - Security * Introduction * United States-Iraq Relations * Relations with Neighboring Countries * Iran * Syria * Jordan * Saudi Arabia * Kuwait * Turkey * Geopolitics of Water Resources * Issues Affecting Security * Poverty * Displaced Persons and Refugees * Corruption * Military and Police Structure * Terrorist Groups * Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) * Other Insurgent Groups

Chapter 1 - Profile * Introduction * Geography * Area * Geographic Divisions * Topographic Features * Climate * Rivers * Draining of the Marshlands * Environment * Damage to Biodiversity and Environment from War * Major Cities * Baghdad * Mosul * Basrah * Karbala * Kirkuk * Erbil * Pre-Modern History * Ancient History * Islamic Empires * The Ottoman Empire and the British * Recent History * Operation Iraqi Freedom * Post-Saddam Iraq * Economy * Overview * The Oil Sector * The Agricultural Sector * The Services Sector * Rebuilding the Infrastructure * Telecommunications * Mass Media * Electricity * Ethnic and Other Minority Groups * Kurds * Marsh Arabs (Ma'dan) * Turkmen and Other Minority Groups * Chapter 1 Assessment * Chapter 2 - Religion * Introduction * History of Islam * Under Muhammad's Leadership * Under Muhammad's Immediate Successors * Schism * Sunni and Shi'a Islam * Sunnis * Sunni Iraqi Kurds * Shi'ites * Shi'a Iraqi Political Affiliations * Sufism * The Pillars of Islam * Non-Islamic Religions * Christianity * Yazidis * Mandaeism * Role of Religion in the Government * Baathism * Religious Laws * Influence of Religion on Daily Life * Buildings of Worship * Mosques * Mosque Etiquette * Shrines * Churches * Religious Events * Ramadan * Ashura * Chapter 2 Assessment * Chapter 3 - Traditions * Greeting and Interacting * Hospitality * Exchanging Gifts * Sharing * Honor and Offenses * Vendettas and Honor Killings * Male-Female Relationships * Interaction with Iraqi Women