Industrial Geography of Iraq

The industrial sector in any country is not just a leading sector of the economy, it’s a driving force behind economic and spatial development. In Iraq, the industry contributes significantly to its endemic areas, enhancing the gross national product. However, the industrial sector in Iraq has witnessed a significant fluctuation in its contribution to the Iraqi economy, largely due to the political instability witnessed by the modern Iraqi state. This fluctuation is evident by observing the number of large-sized industrial establishments from 1970 to 2021. In 1970, the number of large industrial establishments reached 1258 establishments. In 2021, the number of large industrial establishments reached only 781 establishments, a stark decline that underscores the urgent need for stability. The geographical distribution of industrial establishments varied at the level of the Iraqi governorates, with Baghdad Governorate ranking first in the number of industrial establishments for large, medium, and small industries by 14.46%, 19.68%, and 25.14% of the total establishments, respectively. This concentration is not a healthy phenomenon from the point of view of economic geography in general and industry geography in particular.