Potential Geopark and Geotourism in Iraq

Mesopotamia, a Greek term for the region between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, is the name given to Iraq. These rivers originate in the northern Anatolian highlands, join, and flow into the Arabian Gulf. The earliest civilizations were in Iraq. Its territory is densely packed with numerous, diverse archaeological sites. The civilizations of Ur, Akkadian, Sumerian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Aramaic, Islamic, the Ziggurat, the city of Hatra, the Iwan of Khosrow, the Malawiyya, the Mustansiriya School, the Tower of Babel, and the Ishtar Gate are a few examples of prehistoric and posthistoric civilizations that existed in Iraq. Each of these civilizations left its distinct imprint. Ancient Mesopotamian civilizations like the Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonian, and Chaldean (Neo-Babylonian) built magnificent cities, put in place governmental frameworks, and created techniques for agriculture, writing, mathematics, and astronomy. From here, it is obvious that Iraq is home to ancient civilizations’ archaeological sites, which have left behind a rich legacy that has attracted tourists’ attention. Action must be taken to promote tourism to these sites that are compatible with the environment and geodiversity. This chapter’s attempt to cover the most significant geotourism destinations focuses on the exceptional Kurdistan region in northern Iraq. Because of its scarcity or absence, readers in the Middle East or Arab readers in particular may have difficulty finding studies, research, and references that are explicitly focused on geotourism. A beginner may struggle to understand the practical side of geotourism due to his lack of familiarity with the objectives and benefits of the specialization. These and other factors inspired the author to write this chapter as a must-have reference and how-to guide for both novice and experienced researchers. With this project, we hope to raise awareness of geotourism in the country, which is well-known around the world but underappreciated locally. The development of geotourism thinking will aid in the long-term development of geological sites. This chapter looks at potential geoparks, geotourism development strategies, and the links between geoparks and natural heritage. Through its aesthetic, social, economic, scientific, and security features, it emphasizes the critical elements of this specific tourism pattern. These goals included educating visitors about the geological features around them, encouraging them to travel in a way that preserves the site’s geographic character, and improving the site’s tourist, scientific, cultural, and economic value to promote sustainable development for the local population. This chapter draws upon the previous publication, “Geotourism in The Middle East,” which in turn is based on the author’s earlier works.