ENE of Iraq Mountains and WNW Iran Mountains - Essay Example

ENE of Iraq Mountains and WNW Iran Mountains Introduction Apart from the political injustices that have usually been associated with the two Middle East Countries, Iran and Iraq, it is apparent that these nations also boast of geographical, cultural as well as infrastructural development features that have attracted a large number of tourists over the last 5 decades. Iraq has been known to many people as a country characterized by existence of extremist groups but apart from this, it is a nation with vast unique geographical, cultural as well as infrastructural features that are rarely mentioned among the global populace. The same case occurs in the context of Iran, a nation known to defy global policies guiding the manufacture of nuclear weapons: It is a geographically ‘blessed’ country with unique mountainous regions, cultural and social diversity as well as infrastructural development existing in its major cities. This discussion will focus on the geographical, cultural and infrastructural development as well as historical and archeological aspects of the ENE Iraq and the WNW Iran, basically pointing out what makes them unique as compared to other features existing within the country. Cities, Locations, Trades and Roads in the ENE Iraq and WNW Iran Mountains Cities, Locations, Trade and Roads in the ENE Iraq Mountains Northern Iraq geographically extends from Baghdad and borders Turkey, Iran and Syria. The ENE Iraq region is composed of seven provinces, which are: Ninawa, Dahuk, Kirkuk, Diyala, Salah ad-Din, Arbil as well as Sulaymaniyah. The major cities in the ENE Iraqi region are: Dahuk, it is surrounded by mountains and is located along the famous River Tigris; Arbil, which is located approximately 88km on the eastern part of Mosul; Kirkuk, located 236 km on the northern part of Baghdad; Sulaymaniyah, which is on the Southern Part of Kurdistan region; Ba’quba it is on the Northeast of Baghdad, Al Muqdadiya, which is located on the eastern border of Iraq and orders Iran; Al Kazimiyah, a town located on the Northern part of Iraq, five kilometers away from Baghdad; as well as Baghdad, which is located along River Tigris. In relation to the major roads, there are various highways, freeways as well as roads that have enhaced mobility not only in the northern region, but connecting the northern region with the east, the west as well as the southern part. Specifically, in the ENE Iraqi region, there are the: The first highway connects Baghdad to Samarra, Mosul, Tirkit and Taji; this highway also connects these cities into Syria. Additionally, there is the highway that connects Baghdad to Irbil, Ba’quba and leads to Iran. The other major highway in the ENE Iraq region, is the highway connecting Baghdad, Kirkuk, Irbil, Mosul, Dohuk, Zhaku and leads into Turkey. In relation to trading activities in the ENE Iraqi region, the major trading activity in the Northern Iraqi region is driven by existence of oil as a natural resource. One of the dominant companies in the Oil business in this region is the Shell Trading Company that basically supports oil businesses in the North Eastern Region. Additionally, the northern part of Iraq is dominated by Kurdistan Companies that operate extensively from North Western to North Eastern parts of Iraq, examples of these Kurdistan Companies include: AsiaCell that provides telecommunication services, not only in the North Eastern Part of Iraq, but the entirety of Iraq; Zagros Group that deals in a number of business activities ranging from oil to Information Technology as well as the North Bank that offers its services to not only the population in the North Eastern part, but is considered the largest financial service provider in the entire Iraq (Basil, 343). Cities, Locations, Trade and Roads in WNW Iran In terms of geographical description, the Western North Western part of Iran extends from Tehran to Bakhtaran. Tehran being one of the largest and the capital city of Iran hosts a population of approximately 8 million people and it borders Shemiranat. There is also the Hamadan City, which is also among the 31 provinces in Iran. It is believed to be one of the oldest cities in this country and is located on the South Western part of Tehran. Additionally, the other major city in the Western North Western part of Iran is the Tutserkan, which is located approximately 100 Km on the southern part of Hamadan. Moreover, Arak is another major city in the North Western part of Iraq with a population of more than half a million, located on the South Western part of Tehran. The other major Capital City in the Western North Western part of Iran is Sanandaj, located on the far west of Iran, bordering Iraq; it has a population of over 300,000 and is dominated by the Kurdish Culture. In terms of road networks, the Western North Western part of Iran has various major highways majorly those connecting its Capital City, Tehran with other major cities and minor towns for instance: The major highways that connects Tehran and Isfahan (Tehran-Isfahan Highway) among other minor freeways i.e. the Tehran-Arak freeway, the Arak-Sanandaj Highway among others. In terms of trading activities, Iran’s economy has been described as a mixed economy with approximately 60% of the economy being centrally planned by the central government. The major natural resource available in the Western North Western part of Iran is oil, which is exploited and exported with a small percentage sold to the local populace; however, this region has also been dominated by agricultural activities owing to the fact that there is naturally adequate rain existence of fertile lands. Majorly, agricultural activities are undertaken in the mountainous ranges of Zagros and along Alborz Mountains. Environment of ENE Iraq and WNW Iran Mountainous Region Environment of ENE Iraq Mountains The Eastern North Eastern part of Iraq is characterized by existence of various mountains for instance: The Jabal Sakran Mountains located on the North Eastern part of Iraq. This mountain is considered among the highest mountains in the entire Iraq and at a height of over 10,000 feet, it is specifically located in Arbil. Actually, the Jabal Sakran Mountain is the 28th highest mountain in Iraq and has its highest peak covered in snow. The lowest height of Jabal Sakran Mountain is covered in green short shrubs and thickets (Basil, 341). Additionally, there is also the Qandil Mountains that are part of the Zagros Mountain Ranges on the North Eastern part of Iraq. It is also among the highest mountains in Iraq at a height of approximately 3000 meters, making its peaks among the highest to access. Consequently, the ENE part of Iraq is characterized by the Hamrin Mountains, which are also part of the Zagros ranges. The North Eastern part of Iraq has an Alpine climatic condition, especially the mountainous region; this climatic condition extends from the Balkans to Southern Turkey as well as other northern parts of Iraq. In terms of natural resources, the north and the northeastern parts of Iraq comprise the largest portion of arable lands in the country; however, agricultural productivity in this region is poor owing to the fact that there is unreliable rainfall despite the fact that the lands are relatively fertile (Basil, 343). The northeastern mountainous region is also characterized by permanent vegetation like oat trees among others. Oil refineries are also available in the area, leading to the high rate of investment by International Oil Mining Companies. The Kurdish people are the dominant community that occupies this region. This region has been majorly referred as the Kurdish region, with the regional capital being Erbil. In relation to the Kurdish Custom, their language is considered unique owing to the fact that it integrates Indo-European and Indo-Iranian languages; however, the dominant language spoken by this community is Arabic, which is also spoken in the entire Iraqi region. Approximately, 75% of Kurds occupying the ENE Mountains are Sunni Muslims; their cultural has a communal dimension whereby the interest of the entire society is considered more crucial than the interest of an individual. They also award a high sense of priority to family values and relationships; in some cases conflicts between family members may lead to exclusion of the guilty person out of the family (Basil, 346). Environment of the WNW Iran Mountains The Northwestern part region of Iran has one of the largest and highest mountain ranges; this region has two highest and largest mountains, which are Alborz and the Zagros mountain ranges that extend from the Northern to the Western region. There are also permanent rivers and lakes extending from Alborz to Zagros extending to the Caspian Sea (Basil, 341). The lower sides of Zagros Mountain ranges and Alborz are characterized by thickets, trees as well as green shrubs. Consequently, this region is characterized by four seasons, which is a unique feature taking into consideration the fact that most of the countries in Middle East have hot temperatures with scarce rainfall throughout the year. The mountainous region of WNW, are also characterized with a temperate climate, humid with frequent and reliable rainfall that has made agricultural activities possible in this region (Basil, 343). This region is also endowed with rich oil fields that has not only attracted investment from local companies, but also from international oil mining companies. The dominant community in this region is the Kurdish community; they border the Turkish Kurdish and the Iraqi Kurdish. They are also the dominant community in Western Azerbaijan. Approximately 50% of the Kurdish population occupying this region is Sunni Muslims, with a high sense of family and communal value just like the Iraqi Kurdish people. Their language comprises a mixture of Persian dialect and Arabic language, characterized by new and Old Persian Dialect. Historical Events and Archeology of the ENE Iraq and WNW Mountains Historical and Archeological Events of the ENE Iraq Generally, the country known as Iraq in the contemporary society was initially known as Mesopotamia. There are various historical and archeological events that have occurred not only in the ENE Iraq Mountains, but also in other parts of Iraq. However, with specific consideration given to the ENE Iraq Mountains, the first and most historical event occurred in the 19th Century with the discovery of Iraqi oil by European Explorers and Geologists along the foots of the Zagros mountains. In relation to development of Baghdad, it was originally known as the circular city during the early 1800’s. Its development began by a command from Mansur and it later became known as the city of peace. Baghdad was constructed on a rigorously circular plan with centric circles of outer walls, inner walls and a moat. Baghdad, being the capital city of Iraq, plays a key role on the historical events of the nation. Historical evidence of indicates that the “Mountains”, was a name of the province that is currently referred as the Zagros ranges. In relation to transportation foci of the ancient cities located in Zagros, they major acted as communication networks with major roads occurring at the foot of the Zagros hills. Another important historical event in this region occurred with the discovery and the establishment of the Kirkuk Oil Mining Field. This site was recommended by American geologists, A.C. Trowbridge and E.W Shaw in 1926, in the isolated region of northeastern Iraq. The led to the establishment of four oil mining fields in the Northeastern Region, however, Kirkuk was the only Iraqi oil gusher at that time. The Kirkuk oil discovery was considered one of the best developments for TCP an oil mining company in Iraq at that time. The discovery of the Kirkuk oil field has been considered the major historical event among the people of Iraq; currently Kirkuk oil field are still the largest and accrue substantial benefits to the government of Iraq, at 600, 000 barrels of crude oil per day. Establishment of an autonomous Kurdish region is also another important historical event in the Eastern North Eastern Iraq Mountains. The quest for an autonomous Kurdistan region began as early as 1920 just after the world war. Currently, the Kurdish people dominate the North Eastern region and have made tremendous development and remained stable even after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Historical and Archeological Events in WNW Iran During the Mesolithic period, the Western region is considered to be among the first region to experience rapid developments in relation to manufacturing, animal keeping and growing crops. These activities specifically took place in Guran, Ali Kosh, Danj-e Dare among others. Similar kinds of developments in relation to domestication and crop plantations were also experienced in Zagros along the Iran-Iraq border. From 1905 to 1911, a major historical internal revolution occurred in Tehran; this revolution was sparked by the fact that the government through governor of Tehran, made an order that demanded all sugar merchants and other businessmen who refused to lower sugar prices would be bastinadoed; this compelled many of the merchants and sugar-business men to seek refuge in a Tehran Mosque. However, later in 1906, the government had to agree to their demands, but only after forming the house of justice. Another major historical event that was not only experienced in the North Western Iran, but also in other parts of Iran is the oil boom of the early and the late 1970’s: This led to an influx of dollars accrued from the booming oil business, leading to major developments through the them regime. However, the accelerated rates of development majorly in the North Western region of Iraq were perceived to propagate unequal modes of resource distribution leading to discontentment and segmentation of various Iranian societies, with the Kurdish occupying and dominating the Northwestern region. Many strikes and demonstrations through poems were undertaken in Tehran. Work Cited Anthony, Basil. The Best Divisions for Knowledge of the Region. Garnet, 1994. Print. Top of Form Bottom of Form Strange, Guy. The Lands of the Eastern Caliphate: Mesopotamia, Persia, and Central Asia, from the Moslem Conquest to the Time of Timur. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1966. Print. Top of Form Bottom of Form Wheatley, Paul. The Places Where Men Pray Together: Cities in Islamic Lands, Seventh through the Tenth Centuries. Chicago: U of Chicago, 2001. Print. Read More