Iraq

Dinosaurs and others prehistoric animals on stamps and postmarks of Iraq

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Contents:
Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia, bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Kuwait to the southeast, Saudi Arabia to the south, Jordan to the southwest, and Syria to the west.
Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by the United Kingdom during World War I and was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration in 1920. Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. It was proclaimed a "republic" in 1958 after a coup overthrew the monarchy, but in actuality, a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Husayn from 1979 to 2003.
After an invasion by the United States and its allies in 2003, Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party was removed from power, and multi-party parliamentary elections were held in 2005. The US presence in Iraq ended in 2011.
Nowadays, Iraq is a federal parliamentary republic consisting of 19 governorates, four of which make up the autonomous Kurdistan Region.
The country's official religion is Islam. Culturally, Iraq has a very rich heritage and celebrates the achievements of its past in both pre-Islamic as well as post-Islamic times and is known for its poets.
Its painters and sculptors are among the best in the Arab world, some of them being world-class as well as producing fine handicrafts, including rugs and carpets. [R1]

Independence in 1932 brought a new currency (fils and dinar), and the existing Faisal stamps were surcharged accordingly, and issued on 1 April 1932. These were followed soon after (9 May) by stamps of the previous design denominated in the new currency.
Iraq's first commemorative stamps came out in 1949 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union. Faisal's 1953 coronation was also marked by a set of three, along with a souvenir sheet. The last of the Faisal definitives had only partly appeared before the revolution of 1958, and both issued and unissued types were overprinted. [R2]
The first and so far only stamps related to paleontology were issued by Iraq in 2010. This set shows a fanciful mix of prehistoric life from multiple eras – but mostly dinosaurs.




Official stamps of Iraq related to Paleontology: dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals

28.06.2010 "Prehistoric Animals"
Dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals on stamps of Iraq MICHEL Dinos - whole world catalog - contain technical details and prices of stamps with dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals



Commemorative postmarks of Iraq related to Paleontology: dinosaurs

Legend is here
28.06.2010 "Prehistoric Animals" [FDC] 
Dinosaur on commemorative postmark of Iraq 2010



References:
  •   [R1] Iraq: Wikipedia WikiTravel FlagCounter
  •   [R2] Postal History and Philately of Iraq: Wikipedia
              Links to official website of the Post Authority, stamp catalog and a list of new stamps of Iraq are here



Acknowledgement:
Dr. Peter Voice from Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, Western Michigan University, for reviewing the draft page and his valuable comments.


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