Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. Located along the Tigris River, the city was founded in the 8th century and became the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate.
Iraq religion is Islam. Muslims (those who practice Islam) account for a whopping 97% of the Iraqi population. However, the Catholic Religion is allowed to practice in Iraq. This year 2008, Christmas was a recognized holiday.
The politics of Iraq takes place in a framework of a federal parliamentary representative democratic republic. It is a multi-party system whereby the executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers as the head of government, as well as the President of Iraq, and legislative power is vested in the Council of Representatives and the Federation Council.