Transport in Iraq

Transport in Iraq consists of railways, highways, waterways, pipelines, ports and harbors, marines and airports.

[edit] Railways

total: 2,032 km
standard gauge: 2,032 km 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in)

For more than two decades there have been plans for building a metro system in Baghdad. It is possible that part of the tunnels have been built, but that they are now used militarily for sheltering, hiding and escaping purposes. U.N. inspectors have heard of the tunnels for years, but have not found their entrances. [1] map [2] [3] In November, 2008, an overground service dubbed the Baghdad Metro began service. Local government in Baghdad is arranging feasibility studies for the construction of two new underground lines."Railway Gazette: Urban rail progress in Najaf and Baghdad". http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/urban-rail-progress-in-najaf-and-baghdad.html. Retrieved 2010-07-21. </ref>

A 37km monorail is planned in Najaf, which would link three Shi'ite holy sites.^[1]

The first Iraqi Republic Railways train to Basra since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime arrived on April 26, 2003. British troops hope to use the 68 km long railway to transport much-needed aid supplies from the port town of Umm Qasr to Basra.

[edit] Maps

• UNHCR Atlas Map
• UN Map

[edit] Railway links with adjacent countries

All adjacent countries generally use 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) (standard gauge) but may vary in couplings. Neighbours with electrified railways - Turkey and Iran - both use the world standard 25 kVAC

• Turkey - via Syria
• Iran - one link partially under construction and a second link planned
  • Khorramshahr, Iran, to Basra, Iraq - almost complete (2006)
  • Kermanshah, Iran, and the Iraqi province of Diyala - construction commenced.
  • see ([4]) or 2005.
• Kuwait - no railways
• Saudi Arabia -
• Jordan - partially constructed - break of gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in)/1,050 mm (3 ft 5 ¹⁄₃ in)
• Syria - same gauge - at Rabiya/Nurabiya

[edit] Highways

total:

45,550 km

Expressway connecting Amman and Baghdad in Al-Anbar

paved: 38,400 km,

unpaved: 7,150 km (1996 est.)

[edit] Waterways

1,015 km; Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 m and is in use; Tigris and Euphrates Rivers have navigable sections for shallow-draft watercraft; Shatt al Basrah canal was navigable by shallow-draft craft before closing in 1991 because of the Gulf War

[edit] Pipelines

crude oil 4,350 km; petroleum products 725 km; natural gas 1,360 km

[edit] Ports and harbors

[edit] Persian Gulf

• Umm Qasr Port
• Khawr az Zubayr
• Al Basrah has limited functionality

[edit] Merchant marine

total: 32 ships (with a volume of 1,000 gross register tons (GRT) or over) totaling 606,227 GRT/1,067,770 metric tons deadweight (DWT)
ships by type: cargo ship 14, passenger ship 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 13, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off ship 2 (1999 est.)

[edit] Airports

There are about 113 airports. (1999 est.) Major airports include

• Baghdad International Airport
• Basra International Airport
• Mosul International Airport
• Erbil International Airport
• Sulaimaniyah International Airport
• Najaf International Airport

[edit] Airports - with paved runways

total: 80
over 3,047 m: 20
2,438 to 3,047 m: 39
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 10 (1999 est.)

[edit] Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 33
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 12 (2008 est.)

[edit] Heliports

5 (1999 est.)

[edit] See also

• Iraq
• Iraqi Republic Railways

[edit] References

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