Population density: 58/km² (149/mi²)

Main languages spoken: Arabic, Kurdish, Turkic languages, Armenian, Assyrian

Carved out of remnants of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq is home to three distinct ethno-religious groups as well as smaller minorities, including Turkmen and Persians. There are several Christian sects, but all but a handful of Iraq's Jews have emigrated to Israel.

The Arab Muslims are divided between the Shi'a and Sunni sects; some of the holiest sites of Shi'a Islam are in Iraq. Religious tensions were violently suppressed by the Sunni-dominated regime of Saddam Hussein; the Shi'a Marsh Arabs were specifically targeted after an abortive uprising in 1991. It is feared that religious divisions may be exploited by extremists in postwar Iraq.

The Kurdish community, based in the north, was granted de facto self-rule under the protection of the no-fly zones after 1991, but was riven by internal conflict. Occupying forces are trying to suppress the long-held desire for a separate Kurdish homeland in order to ensure the viability of postwar Iraq.

THE URBAN/RURAL POPULATION SPLIT

RELIGIOUS PERSUASION

ETHNIC MAKEUP

POPULATION AGE BREAKDOWN

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004