Iraq Today
Basics of Iraq
Iraq is mostly desert, but has broad plains and is mountainous along the border with Iran. It has very hot summers and cool winters. Some of Iraq's resources are petroleum, natural gas, and sulfur. It exports crude oil and imports machinery. Iraq was said to have been discovered around 1932. It is located in the Middle East, bordering the Persian gulf, and between Iran and Kuwait.
What's Going on in Iraq
An Unusual Place To Live
Kibbutz, do you know what that is? The definition is a settlement in Israel where the people share all their produced goods and their property. Could you imagine living in a place like that? They all work together to plant and harvest crops. They also help work and sell their cattle. They are all more like family than just neighbors.
A Wadi
After this rare down pore, a wadi has formed. What is a wadi you ask, well it is a dry riverbed that is filled with rainwater. It is really a beautiful sight. They can form in many places such as canyons, valleys, or plains, any where there is a dry riverbed. A wadi is an uncommon sight, because most places don't get enough rain at one time. So if you happen to come across one make sure to take pictures.
What is OPEC?
OPEC stands for Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. They work to increase income from the sale of oil. OPEC countries supply more than 40% of the worlds oil. They are able to increase or decrease the supply, and it will influence the oil prices around the world. With the money from oil OPAC countries can build schools, hospitals, roads, and airports. OPAC has a huge influence on oil prices.
The Sahara Desert
As most of you know the Sahara desert is the world largest desert. In size comparison it is almost as big as the United States. It streaches from Egypt westward across North Africa to the Atlantic Ocean. The word Sahara comes from the Arabic word meaning desert. Many People have died trying to cross the Sahara, but there has been many known people to cross the Sahara, on foot or on camel.
Who are the Berbers?
The Berbers are the first known people to live in North Africa. Berbers have their own language. The overwhelming majority of Berbers have their homes in rural areas, far from the urban centers. In general, they can be found in the mountains, the high plateaus, and the Sahara desert. Most Berbers are sedentary agriculturalists. Some Berbers practice forms of semi nomadism during part of the year to maintain their flocks.