It may be down right now, but this picturesque country's not out for the count.

The aftermath of war, severe food shortages, lawlessness and the lack of essential medicine throughout the country hamper the nation's chances of prosperity any time soon.

It won't come as a surprise to too many people that Iraq isn't the best place for a holiday at the moment. The turbulent and extreme domestic situation makes Iraq one of the least desirable places in the world to be. Even if you wanted to go, chances are you'd have trouble getting there; there are only a few infrequent commercial carriers running flights to Baghdad's International Airport and only journalists, business people and aid workers are being issued visas.