Driest Cities in Iraq

Top 90 cities ranked by driest cities

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · Iraq

Driest Cities — Iraq

1 Al Mishkhāb 17 3.1"

2 Kufa 17 3.1"

3 Najaf 17 3.1"

4 Nahiyat Ghammas 04 3.3"

5 Nāḩiyat ash Shināfīyah 04 3.3"

6 Ash Shāmīyah 04 3.4"

7 Karbala 12 3.7"

8 Al Hillah 06 4.0"

9 Nāḩiyat al Fuhūd 09 4.0"

10 Al Hindīyah 12 4.1"

11 Nasiriyah 09 4.1"

12 Al Diwaniyah 04 4.3"

13 al-Qasim 06 4.3"

14 As Samawah 03 4.4"

15 Hīt 01 4.4"

16 Ramadi 01 4.5"

17 Al Maḩāwīl 06 4.6"

18 Ar Ruţbah 01 4.6"

19 Ar Rumaythah 03 4.6"

20 Al Musayyib 06 4.7"

21 Nāḩīyat Saddat al Hindīyah 06 4.7"

22 ‘Afak 04 4.8"

23 Al Madīnah 02 4.8"

24 Umm Qaşr 02 5.0"

25 Ash Shaţrah 09 5.1"

26 Al Fallūjah 01 5.2"

27 Ḩadīthah 01 5.3"

28 Al Qā’im 01 5.3"

29 Nāḩiyat al Iskandarīyah 06 5.4"

30 Qal‘at Sukkar 09 5.5"

31 Az Zubayr 02 5.6"

32 An Nu‘mānīyah 16 5.6"

33 Al Fāw 02 5.7"

34 Al Maḩmūdīyah 07 5.7"

35 Aş Şuwayrah 16 5.7"

36 Al Qurnah 02 5.8"

37 Abū Ghurayb 07 5.8"

38 Al-Kut 16 5.8"

39 Al Ḩayy 16 5.9"

40 Al Hārithah 02 5.9"

41 Basrah 02 5.9"

42 Al Başrah al Qadīmah 02 5.9"

43 Al ‘Azīzīyah 16 6.2"

44 Balad 18 6.3"

45 ‘Anah 01 6.3"

46 ‘Anat al Qadīmah 01 6.3"

47 Rāwah 01 6.3"

48 Ad Dujayl 18 6.4"

49 Baghdad 07 6.4"

50 Sāmarrā’ 18 6.5"

51 Baqubah 10 7.1"

52 Khāliş 10 7.1"

53 Tikrīt 18 7.3"

54 Al ‘Amārah 14 7.8"

55 Al Miqdādīyah 10 8.3"

56 Bayjī 18 8.3"

57 ‘Alī al Gharbī 14 8.5"

58 AlZwya 18 10.1"

59 Ţūz Khūrmātū 18 11.1"

60 Mandalī 10 11.5"

61 Ash Sharqāt 18 12.2"

62 Kifrī 10 12.7"

63 Kelar 05 13.6"

64 Khānaqīn 10 14.0"

65 Kirkuk 13 14.1"

66 Sinjār 15 15.2"

67 Al Mawşil al Jadīdah 15 18.2"

68 Al-Hamdaniya 15 19.8"

69 Mosul 15 21.0"

70 Tallkayf 15 21.0"

71 Ash Shaykhān 15 22.7"

72 Barţalah 15 23.8"

73 Jamjamāl 05 24.7"

74 Erbil 11 25.5"

75 Kays Qal‘ah 15 26.1"

76 Halabja 19 27.6"

77 Koysinceq 11 29.0"

78 Sīnah 08 29.7"

79 Ṟuwandiz 11 29.9"

80 Soran 11 29.9"

81 Dihok 08 30.2"

82 Sulaymaniyah 05 30.2"

83 Simele 08 30.2"

84 Zaxo 08 30.2"

85 Hajiawa 05 30.3"

86 Batifa 08 31.5"

87 Begova 08 31.5"

88 ‘Aqrah 15 33.2"

89 Baynjiwayn 05 37.7"

90 Al ‘Amādīyah 08 43.7"

The driest cities in Iraq receive the least annual precipitation, often characterized by arid landscapes and abundant sunshine. Al Mishkhāb receives just 3.1 inches of precipitation annually.

Dry climates offer benefits including more sunny days, less seasonal affective disorder, lower humidity, and reduced mold and allergen concerns. These cities are often located in the desert Southwest or other arid regions with dramatic natural landscapes.

Water management is a critical concern for the driest cities, many of which rely on distant water sources, desalination, or strict conservation measures. As populations grow in these areas, sustainable water use and drought resilience become increasingly important priorities.

Did You Know?

1. Al Mishkhāb gets just 3.1" of precipitation per year — less than many cities get in a single month.
2. Most of the driest cities are in the desert Southwest, where evaporation often exceeds precipitation by a factor of 10 or more.
3. Water conservation is a way of life in these cities, with many implementing xeriscaping requirements and water usage restrictions.

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