Iraq’s ISO Codes

Fascinating Facts

Iraq is divided into 18 governorates and 1 region

Each with its own special code.
These codes all start with “IQ-” followed by two more letters. For example, Baghdad’s code is IQ-BG.


The Kurdistan region in Iraq has its own code: IQ-KR. It includes three governorates: Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok.

These codes are part of a global system called ISO 3166-2, which helps with things like international mail and data organization.

The longest governorate name in Iraq is Saladin (Şalāḩ ad Dīn in Arabic), with the code IQ-SD. This standardized system helps reduce confusion in international communications, especially when place names might be spelled differently in various languages.


These codes are widely used in computer systems, making it easier to process and organize data about different regions of Iraq.

About the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

Iraq’s code is IQ!

Some governorates have different names in different languages

For instance, Erbil (IQ-AR) is called “Arbīl” in Arabic and “Hewlêr” in Kurdish.

The oldest city in Iraq

Babylon, now a governorate, has the code IQ-BB.

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About the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

ISO is an independent, non-governmental organization that develops and publishes international standards.

You encounter ISO standards daily, from the safety features in your car to food safety practices in restaurants and the quality of your computer components!

ISO created these country and region codes to make international communication, trade, and data management smoother and more efficient. It’s just one small part of their work to make our interconnected world function better!

Key notes

  • It brings together experts from 167 countries to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based standards.
  • Founded in 1947, ISO has published over 24,000 standards covering almost every industry.
  • Their standards help ensure quality, safety, and efficiency in products, services, and systems worldwide.