Recent Research on the Land Potential of Iraq

BOUT fifteen years ago the demand for Middle East oil rose markedly. Iraq, as a producing country, could expect increasing revenues, part of which could be invested. Accelerated progress in restoring ancient irrigation works and in designing new schemes could therefore be envisaged. The first step was to appoint an expert commission to prepare an integrated plan for the control of the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, and for the distribution of their waters by gravity to commanded areas. The commission's report-often called, from its president's name, the Haigh Report-was completed in 1949.' In 1955 the present writer summarized the recommendations and reviewed the progress of irrigation in Iraq since the mid-nineteenth century.2 About the same time De Vaumas wrote two articles on the physical geography, hydrology, and irrigation prospects of Iraq.3 In 1950 a Development Board was established to plan investment, and one of its earliest decisions was to initiate investigations into soils, agriculture, and drainage problems, and to continue studies of the works needed to control rivers and distribute their waters. In the next decade, therefore, a series of reports were prepared by American, English, and Dutch consultants. Most of these reports have not been published, but they are accessible to those who are studying Iraq.4 The experts who conducted these researches also wrote articles for scientific periodicals which are more generally available. The range and excellence of both reports and articles prompt the reflection that the diverse nationalities of foreign experts have generated wholesome emulation between them

Geography · Transboundary Water Resource Management

• Observations on Land Use in Iraq

  D Hywel Davies, Delia Davies•Economic Geography•1957

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• Dujaila

  Brad Fisk•Economic Geography•1952

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