Iraq has lived under a nearly-continuous state of conflict or international sanctions since 1980, the year the war with neighboring Iran began. After the ravages of Saddam Hussein's decades in power and the chaos that's taken hold for most of the years after the US invasion in 2003, it's difficult for outsiders to envision the country as a thriving or even functional place.

But before its decades of war and totalitarian rule, Iraq was a quickly modernizing country. The British archival-footage company Pathé recently shared a travel reel that showcased the beauty and diversity of scenery found throughout the country between 1950 and 1959 on YouTube.

Below we have some photos that highlight what Iraq was like before decades of war and conflict affected the country.

PUKmedia Business Insider