Capital of Iraq: Baghdad
The capital of Iraq is Baghdad. Iraq sits in Asia, has a population of 44,496,122, and uses the IQD. Official languages include Arabic, Kurdish.
Quick facts
- Capital: Baghdad
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~44,496,122
- Area: 438,317 km²
- Population density: 102 people per km²
- Official languages: Arabic, Kurdish
- Currency: IQD
- ISO code: IQ
How big is Iraq?
By population, Iraq ranks 35th in the world, holding roughly 0.56% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 58th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Iraq has 102 people per square kilometre, which is somewhat above the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Iraq is the 14th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Iraq in population are Algeria (44,903,225) and Argentina (46,234,830).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Morocco (446,550 km²) and Uzbekistan (447,400 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Arabic is spoken officially in 25 countries in this dataset, including Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Comoros and Djibouti, and 19 others.
Iraq uses the IQD, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
Iraq in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Iraq belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Iraq and a page on the flag of Iraq.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Iraq?
The capital of Iraq is Baghdad.
What is the population of Iraq?
About 44,496,122, making it the 35th most populous country in the world.
How big is Iraq?
438,317 square kilometres, ranking 58th by land area, at a density of 102 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Iraq use?
The IQD, which no other country uses.