Iraq is located in the Middle East between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. It has borders with several countries and most of its land consists of desert, though the area between the rivers is fertile. Iraq has a parliamentary democracy established after the US invasion in 2003 that removed Saddam Hussein from power. The economy relies heavily on oil exports, though conflicts have damaged infrastructure and hurt the economy. The population is diverse and includes Shiite and Sunni Muslims and Kurds, and divisions between these groups have led to violence.