Iraq

Iraq is a populous Western Asian country bordered by Kuwait, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Arabic, Kurdish, and Syriac are all official languages. Iraq has the Zagros mountains, part of the Syrian Desert, and a small piece (36 miles long) of Persian Gulf coast. The waters of the Tigris and the Euphrates make agriculture more viable in Iraq than in most neighboring countries. The Kurdistan region is the safest spot to visit at the moment, and vigilance would be recommended there. The Dohuk Art Gallery there features an excellent array of works by local artists. The Amna Suraka is a museum in Sulaymaniyah housed in the former headquarter of the Iraqi Intelligence Service which exposes horrific experience of the Kurds. The Martyr Sami Abdul-Rahman Park is Erbil’s answer to Central Park.

Wheat, apples, and stone fruits like plums are grown in the North, whereas the South provides rice, barley, citrus fruits, and dates. Popular vegetables include eggplant, tomato, okra, artichokes, and peppers. There are great cheeses like feta, halloumi, and baladi. Flatbread is served with most meals. Shorbat Rumman is made from pomegranate juice and seeds, yellow split peas, ground beef, and mint leaves. Try quzi, a lamb dish with rice, almonds, raisins, and almonds. There are not many designated vegetarian restaurants or organic markets, but you can usually find good quality produce and various dishes made with it. Baghdad has some Asian food and fresh juices. Whatever you have for dinner, you can finish your meal with something a bit sweet like kanafeh, a pastry made with layers of semolina, white cheese, and a sugary syrup sprinkled with rose water, or figs and almonds. They would both taste great with a cardamom tea or some coffee, which is the Iraqi national drink.