978-1-4222-3442-6

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I RAQ

F LORA AND F AUNA There is little vegetation in most of Iraq. In the Zagros Mountains, forests of oak, maple, and hawthorn trees still exist, although in recent years the size of these forests has been reduced because of overcutting. The rest of the country contains few trees, except for the date palm and the poplar, which grow along the rivers. Although millennia of human habitation have reduced the amount of wildlife living in Iraq, many animals still make this land their home. Mammals that can be seen in Iraq include cheetahs, gazelles, antelopes, wild asses, hyenas, wolves, jackals, wild pigs, and rabbits. Many birds of prey, such as vultures, buzzards, ravens, and hawks, continue to soar above the landscape. Other birds common to Iraq include ducks, geese, and partridges. Closer to the ground, numerous types of reptiles and lizards can be found. There are many domesticated animals, such as camels, oxen, water buffalo, and horses, and flocks of sheep and goats can be found on mountainsides. T HE C LIMATE AND THE W INDS The climate of Iraq is fairly similar throughout the country, with the exception of the north. Mosul’s January temperature averages 44° Fahrenheit (6° Celsius); in July, the average temperature in Mosul is about 90°F (32°C). Winter and summer temperatures are much lower in the high elevations of the Zagros Mountains. Baghdad’s average temperature is about 50°F (10°C) in January and about 95°F (35°C) in July. Temperatures in the southern alluvial plain, however, can reach 123°F (51°C) in the summer. There are two wind patterns in the country. The eastern wind, called sharki , is hot, dry, and dusty; it can gust at up to 50 miles per hour (81 km per hour) and create massive dust storms. The sharki winds can occur throughout the year, although they are