History of North Iraq

History of Northern Iraq
The history of Northern Iraq dates back to the beginning of civilization. Mesopotamia, the fertile valley of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, is often referred to as the Cradle of Civilization. In the Bible, Mesopotamia was the site of the Garden of Eden, mankind's first home. Thousands of archaeological sites stand today as testimonies to the region's rich heritage.

Ancient History
The ancient Sumerians were renowned for their early mathematic and scientific discoveries. The Sumerian civilization (4000 B.C.) developed the wheel, the plow, and water control systems in this "cradle of civilization." Ancient Mesopotamian literature and law are landmarks of cultural achievement. The Epic of Gilgamesh and the Code of Hammurabi both trace their origins to Mesopotamia.

The Sumerians laid the foundation for civilizations that would follow, including the Assyrians, the Chaldeans, the Persians, and the Greeks. In 330 B.C., Alexander the Great conquered the region, and in the 2nd century B.C. Mesopotamia became a buffer region between the Parthians and the Romans, then between the Sassanians and the Byzantines. In the 7th century A.D., the whole region came under the influence of Islam emanating from Arabia.

In the 8th century, the Abassid caliphate established its capital at Baghdad, which later became a frontier outpost of the Ottoman Empire. Turkish rule continued until the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, at the end of the First World War, when Iraq became a British-mandated territory.

Recent History
Iraq gained formal independence in 1932. Under the subsequent Hashemite monarchy, Western influence continued to play a significant role in regional affairs until 1958, when a military coup dislodged the monarchy. In 1979, the Baath party assumed control of the government.

Following the Gulf War in 1991, a no-fly zone was established by coalition forces in Northern Iraq to protect its inhabitants from the regime of Saddam Hussein. Subsequently, major Kurdish cities have had over 15 years to develop solid and secure infrastructures. As such, the Kurds have much to offer towards Iraq's future.