The land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, now part of Iraq. The civilizations of Sumer and Babylon flourished here. The Sumerian civilization (3500 BC) may have been the earliest urban civilization. Prior to World War I the area was part of the Turkish Empire, but the British drove the Turks out in October 1918. In 1932 Mesopotamia became part of the newly-established state of Iraq.
The five points of the star represent the unity of farmers, workers, intellectuals, soldiers, and youth in establishing socialism. Red stands for revolution and bloodshed. Effective date: 2 July 1976.