Iraq Country Handbook - Europe Link

The northeastern region borders Turkey to the north and elevation
increases toward Iran. The region’s transitions from rolling plateaus
nearest Turkey to irregular hills and then to mountain ridges (the Zagros
Mountains), where summits average 2,440 meters (8,000 feet) elevation.
Except for a few valleys, the mountain area is used only for livestock
grazing in the foothills and steppes. The soil and rainfall, however, make
cultivation possible. The oilfields near Mosul and Kirkuk are in the
northeast region.
An uplands region between the Tigris and the Euphrates is known as Al
Jazirah. It extends westward into Syria, between the two rivers, and into
Turkey. Water in the area flows in deep valleys, and irrigation is more difficult
than in the lower plain. Much of this zone may be classified as desert.
Climate
The extremely hot, dry, clear summer months last from May through
October, and produce maximum daytime temperatures that reach 40°C
(100°F), usually varying between 31°C (88°F) and 34°C (93°F). Temperatures
are cooler in the northeast highlands. The summer months also feature
strong winds and sandstorms. Baghdad averages five dust storms per
month during July. During the winter, the mean daily maximum temperature
is 17°C (64°F); however, temperatures are colder in the highlands.
Ninety percent of rain falls between November and April. Most of that
falls between December and March. The remaining 6 months, particularly
June through August, are dry. Precipitation is highest in the northeast highlands.
The area receives 760 to 1,000 millimeters (30 to 40 inches) of rain
annually and snow up to 3 months per year in some places. Mean annual
rainfall ranges between 100 and 170 millimeters elsewhere in the country.
The summer months also feature two types of wind. The southerly and
southeasterly sharqi is a dry, dusty wind with occasional gusts of
80 kilometers per hour that occurs from April to early June and again
from late September through November. From mid-June to mid-Sep-
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