Adopted on July 30, 1963, the Iraqi flag is based on the liberation flag first flown in Egypt in 1952. The stars express a desire to unite with Egypt and Syria. Red is for the willingness to shed blood, green is for Arab lands, black is for past suffering, and white is for purity. On Jan. 14, 1991, the Arabic inscription "God is Great" was added.

Iraq Official name: Al-Jumhuriyah al-'Iraqiyah (Republic of Iraq). Form of government: unitary multiparty republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [220]). Head of state and government: President. Population (1998): 21,722,000. Population projection: (2000) 23,151,000; (2010) 31,152,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1994): 24.3 (world avg. 16.8). Gross domestic product (1996): U.S.$11,500,000,000 (U.S.$540 per capita). Land use (1994): forest 0.4%; pasture 9.1%; agriculture 13.1%; other 77.4%.

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