Iraq and Baghdad Travel Reference Map 4th Ed. (2nd for Baghdad) 1:1,200,000/125,000 – As Iraq gradually settles down, it will be possible for visitors to return in bulk. At the moment, only the Kurdish-controlled north could be considered ‘safe’, and tourism is growing. Two international airports already receive planeloads of visitors from Europe, and the border with Turkey is one of the busiest crossing points in the world. ITMB has been involved with mapping Iraq since before the first Gulf War, when we provided the only map of Iraq then in print. By the time of the second war, commonly called the Iraq War (or George Bush’s Folly, if you prefer), ITMB had a more sophisticated map, but one that had to be prepared under extremely trying circumstances. The third edition came out after the ‘allies’ (read Americans) had occupied the country, but before it was safe for anyone but the most foolhardy to go there. This edition updates and improves upon all earlier editions. In addition, we have replaced our separate map of Baghdad with new artwork that is both up-to-date and will be responsive to changes as they unfold. Make no mistake – Iraq is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the near future, as a bulwark against Iran, if for no other reason, but the country we call Iraq is undergoing some fundamental changes, and we want to be able to portray those new directions as they take place; hence the urgent need we felt to update the artwork for both the country and its capital simultaneously. This is one of the most important maps that ITMB produces. Not its most popular, to be sure, but by the measurement of significance, there are few places in the world more pivotal to the world’s unfolding historical development. Saddam Hussein was right: the Mother of All Battles was about to be undertaken. Little could he know that he was only a bit player in the drama that swept everything he believed in into the dustpan of history and transformed the entire Middle East, but the past several years really have seen the Mother of All Battles, and it isn’t over yet – not by a long shot, and not being fought in Iraq any more. Enjoy the map; I think it’s quite good. Printed with Iraq on one side and Baghdad on the other, and including a large inset of the highway network surrounding the capital.
Map size: 27"X39"