As is true with all of the country books in the Enchantment of the World series, this book on Iraq would be the perfect source for a country report.  Geography, climate, language, religion, government are all detailed here.  A section on “Fast Facts” near the end of the book adds specific detail on elevation, average temperature, rainfall, population, currency, etc.

Interesting facts I learned about Iraq, previously known as Mesopotamia, include early achievements by the Sumerians: first to use the wheel, to develop metalworking, first accurate calendars, the invention of the concept of an “hour,” and the creation of the 1st written language.  From the Bible, the Garden of Eden is said have been located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, and the Tower of Babel was believed to have been located in Iraq.

Written in 2012, this book includes the fall and execution of Saddam Hussein and the election of 2005 and the withdrawl of many U. S. troops in 2011.  The importance of the oil industry, tourism, and crop exports are all included as well.