Transportation in Iraq
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Railways
total:
2,032 km
standard gauge:
2,032 km 1.435-m gauge
For more than two decades there have been plans for building a metro system in Baghdad. It is possible that part of the tunnels have been built, but that they are now used militarily for sheltering, hiding and escaping purposes. U.N. inspectors have heard of the tunnels for years, but have not found their entrances. [1] (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/21/60minutes/main541565.shtml?cmp=EM8707) map (http://osamuabe.infoseek.livedoor.com/subway/mappage/constmap/baghdad.jpg) [2] (http://www.gulflink.osd.mil/declassdocs/dia/19961031/961031_950719_22010825_93a.html) [3] (http://english.pravda.ru/world/2003/01/27/42583.html)
The first train to Basra since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime arrived on April 26 2003. British troops hope to use the 68 km long railway to transport much-needed aid supplies from the port town of Umm Qasr to Basra.
Railway links with adjacent countries
All adjacent countries use standard gauge (1435mm) but may vary in coupling (railway) or brakes.
- Turkey - yes - via Syria
- Iran - one links partially under construction and a second link planned
- Khorramshahr, Iran, to Basra, Iraq
- Kermanshah, Iran, and the Iraqi province of Diala
- see ([4] (http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0505301394220945.htm)) or 2005.
- Kuwait - no railways
- Saudia Arabia - no - same gauge
- Jordan - no - partially constructed
- Syria - yes
Highways
total:
45,550 km
paved:
38,400 km
unpaved:
7,150 km (1996 est.)
Waterways
1,015 km; Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 m and is in use; Tigris and Euphrates Rivers have navigable sections for shallow-draft watercraft; Shatt al Basrah canal was navigable by shallow-draft craft before closing in 1991 because of the Gulf war
Pipelines
crude oil 4,350 km; petroleum products 725 km; natural gas 1,360 km
Ports and harbors
Persian Gulf
- Umm Qasr
- Khawr az Zubayr
- Al Basrah has limited functionality
Merchant marine
total:
32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 606,227 GRT/1,067,770 DWT
ships by type:
cargo 14, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 13, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off 2 (1999 est.)
Airports
113 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways
total:
80
over 3,047 m:
20
2,438 to 3,047 m:
39
1,524 to 2,437 m:
4
914 to 1,523 m:
7
under 914 m:
10 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total:
33
over 3,047 m:
3
2,438 to 3,047 m:
6
1,524 to 2,437 m:
2
914 to 1,523 m:
10
under 914 m:
12 (1999 est.)
Heliports
5 (1999 est.)