Baghdad

Baghdad is the capital and largest city in Iraq, located on the banks of the Tigris. With an estimated population of 8 million, it is one of the most populous cities in the Middle East and the Arab world. The city plays a key role as a financial and commercial center in the region.

Founded in 762 AD by Al-Mansur, Baghdad became the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate and grew into a famous center of learning. During the Islamic Golden Age, it was one of the largest cities in the world, home to the House of Wisdom and many different cultures and religions.

After facing damage from the Mongol Empire in 1258, Baghdad slowly lost its earlier importance. However, it became the capital of Mandatory Iraq during the First World War and later helped Iraq regain its place as a center of Arab culture. Despite facing serious damage during the Iraq War that began in 2003, the city has seen many reconstruction projects since the end of the war.

Today, Baghdad remains Iraq's largest city and the seat of government. It is a major center of Islamic history, with many important religious sites such as Masjid al-Kadhimayn and Abu Hanifa Mosque. The city continues to be a cultural hub, known for its coffeehouses and historic diversity.

Name

The name Baghdad has been used for a very long time, even before Islam. People have lived in the area where Baghdad is now for thousands of years.

When the city was built, its name might have come from old Persian words meaning "bestowed by God." Some think the name could also be linked to very old names from Babylon or Akkad. Later, when a new city was built there, it was called the "City of peace." Over time, Baghdad became the name everyone used for this famous city.

History

Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, has a rich history. It was founded in 762 by the Caliph Al-Mansur. The city was designed with a circular layout and included parks, gardens, and public baths. It became a center of learning and culture, with many scholars and scientists living there.

During the 10th century, Baghdad faced challenges with political changes and invasions. The city was captured by different groups over the years, including the Mongols in 1258, who caused much destruction. In the 16th century, Baghdad came under Ottoman rule and later saw periods of decline and revival.

In the modern era, Baghdad became the capital of Iraq in 1921. The city grew with new buildings and infrastructure. However, it also faced difficult times during wars and conflicts, including the Iran-Iraq War and the Gulf War. Despite these challenges, Baghdad continues to be an important city in Iraq, with efforts to restore and rebuild its historic sites and infrastructure.

Geography

The city is located on a large flat area split by the Tigris river. The Tigris divides Baghdad into two parts: the eastern side is called "Risafa" and the western side is known as "Karkh". The land where the city is built is very flat and low, shaped by old floods of the Tigris river. The Diyala river flows nearby, borderings the city's eastern outskirts.

Baghdad is 529.8 kilometres (329.2 mi) northwest of Basra, 402.9 kilometres (250.4 mi) south of Mosul, 366.8 kilometres (227.9 mi) south of Erbil, and 103.8 kilometres (64.5 mi) northeast of Karbala. The city of Mahmoudiyah lies to the south, serving as a gateway to Baghdad.

Climate

Baghdad has a hot desert climate, with very hot, dry summers and mild, slightly wet winters. Summer temperatures can reach as high as 44 °C (111 °F), and it is usually sunny. Rainfall in summer is rare and very light. Even at night, summer temperatures stay warm, often above 24 °C (75 °F). The hottest temperature ever recorded in Baghdad was 51.8 °C (125.2 °F) on July 28, 2020.

Winter temperatures are milder, with averages between 16 °C and 19 °C (61 °F to 66 °F). Occasionally, temperatures can drop below freezing. Most of the year's rain falls between November and March, with an average of about 150 mm (5.91 in). In January 2008, light snow fell in Baghdad for the first time in 100 years, and snow was reported again in February 2020.

Governance

See also: List of neighborhoods and districts in Baghdad

Baghdad is divided into smaller parts called districts, and these districts are further split into smaller areas called sub-districts. The city has nine main municipalities that handle local matters. A mayor oversees these municipalities and helps with regional services. There is also a governorate council that makes decisions for the whole area.

After 2003, new local governments were created. People in each neighborhood elected representatives to serve on neighborhood councils. These councils then chose members for district councils, and finally, for the Baghdad City Council. This system connects people in Baghdad to the central government through their representatives. The city has many neighborhoods, each with its own council, helping to manage the large population of about seven million people. The nine districts of Baghdad include places like Adhamiyah, Karkh, and Sadr City, among others. Each district contains many smaller neighborhoods.

Notable streets

• Haifa Street
• Hilla Road – Runs from the north into Baghdad via Yarmouk (Baghdad)
• Caliphs Street – site of historical mosques and churches
• Al-Sa'doun Street – stretching from Liberation Square to Masbah
• Abu Nuwas Street – runs along the Tigris from the Jumhouriya Bridge to 14 July Suspended Bridge
• Damascus Street – goes from Damascus Square to the Baghdad Airport Road
• Mutanabbi Street – A street with numerous bookshops, named after the 10th century Iraqi poet Al-Mutanabbi
• Rabia Street
• 14 July Street (Mosul Road)
• Muthana al-Shaibani Street
• Bor Saeed (Port Said) Street
• Thawra Street
• Al-Qanat Street – runs through Baghdad north-south
• Al-Khat al-Sare'a – Mohammed al-Qasim (high speed lane) – runs through Baghdad, north–south
• Industry Street runs by the University of Technology – center of the computer trade in Baghdad
• Al Nidhal Street
• Al-Rasheed Street – city center Baghdad
• Al-Jumhuriya Street – city center Baghdad
• Falastin Street
• Tariq al-Muaskar – (Al-Rasheed Camp Road)
• Akhrot street
• Baghdad Airport Road

Demographics

Baghdad has an estimated population of 7.22 million people, with the surrounding metropolitan area reaching about 10.5 million. It is the second largest city in the Arab world after Cairo and the fourth largest metropolitan area in the Middle East after Istanbul. Many people moved to Baghdad at the start of the 21st century. The 2013–2017 civil war brought many displaced Iraqis to the city.

Most people in Baghdad are Iraqi Arabs, but there are also smaller groups such as Kurds, Feyli, Turkmen, Assyrians, Circassians, Mandaeans, and Armenians. Christians in Baghdad are mainly Assyrians and Armenians. The city is home to many different religious groups, including Muslims, Christians, Yezidis, Jews, and Mandeans. Most of the city's residents are Shi'ites, but there are also Sunni Muslims. The city has many religious buildings, including mosques, churches, and temples.

Economy

Baghdad is the main business and money center of Iraq. It is home to many people and creates a big part of Iraq's money. The city links trade routes between countries like Turkey, Syria, India, and Southeast Asia. As the capital, it has important government offices and state businesses, which provide jobs. Since 2003, the government has had trouble giving jobs, so many companies hire people from other countries. To help, groups are setting up special places in the city to help new businesses start.

Baghdad is where big Iraqi companies are based, like the Iraq National Oil Company, Iraqi Airways, and important banks such as the Rafidain Bank and Rashid Bank. Big companies from around the world, like Honeywell and Shell, also have offices there. The city has many places to visit, including museums and special religious sites that attract visitors from many countries. Baghdad makes many things, like clothes, food, and building materials, and it has big factories and oil fields. There are also plans for new buildings and projects to make the city grow and improve.

Transportation

Baghdad does not have many public buses or trains, so most people use taxis to get around the city. The roads are often very busy because there are many more cars than the streets can handle. Some people use boats to travel across the river, which can help them avoid traffic. There are several important bridges, like the 14th of July Bridge, Al-Aimmah Bridge, and Al-Sarafiya Bridge, that connect different parts of the city.

The city also has an airport where Iraqi Airways flies. The airport opened many years ago but was closed for a time before reopening.

There have been plans for many years to build a Baghdad Metro with trains that run without drivers. The new metro would have many stations and special areas for women, children, and people who need extra help. Work on building it is set to begin soon and could be finished by 2029.

Cityscape

The Round City was the heart of Baghdad when the city was first built. It no longer exists because of a siege long ago. Today, Baghdad has many streets, avenues, and squares with important places that make the city special.

Al-Rasheed Street is very important in Baghdad. It is located in the al-Rusafa area and was a center for art, ideas, and culture. The street had theaters and nightclubs, like the Crescent Theatre where famous singer Umm Kulthum performed in 1932. It also has old mosques and well-known cafés like al-Zahawi Café and the Brazilian Café.

Mutanabbi Street is close to the old part of Baghdad and is near Al-Rasheed Street. This street is famous for its bookstores and is named after the famous 10th-century Iraqi poet Al-Mutanabbi. It is known as a place for readers and thinkers. Firdos Square is a public space with two tall hotels, the Palestine Hotel and the Sheraton Ishtar. This square was where a famous statue used to stand before it was taken down during a big event in 2003.

Qushla is a public square in the al-Rusafa neighborhood by the Tigris River. This area has many old and important places, like the Mutanabbi Street, old palaces, bridges, and mosques. It has a famous clock tower given by George V. The whole area is waiting to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tentative list.

Architecture

In the 1970s and 1980s, new buildings like monuments, mosques, palaces, and hotels were built. The style of these buildings was inspired by old European design and also includes special Iraqi elements.

Modern Landmarks

The National Museum of Iraq had many valuable items that were taken during a difficult time. There are also famous arches called the Hands of Victory. People are discussing whether to keep these arches as reminders of history or take them down. Many old books in the National Library were lost during a tough time long ago.

Grand Festivities Square is where people celebrate together. It has three important monuments remembering those who fought for Iraq. Masjid Al-Kadhimain is a special place for many visitors, and A'dhamiyyah has an important mosque for others.

The city also has places important to different cultures. The Baghdad Zoo was once very big but faced hard times after 2003. With help, it began to recover. Al-Zawraa Park is a big green space in the city.

[Al-Salam Palace](/wiki/As-Salam_Palace)

[Baghdadi Museum](/wiki/Baghdadi_Museum)

[Iraq National Museum](/wiki/Iraq_Museum)

[Abd al-Karim Qasim Museum](/wiki/Abd_al-Karim_Qasim_Museum)

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  Al-Zawraa Park with Al-Rahman Mosque in background

Education

Baghdad has been an important place for learning for many years. The House of Wisdom was a famous academy and public center where people studied. In 1227, a school called the Mustansiriya Madrasa was started by a leader named the Abbasid Caliph al-Mustansir. Later, it became al-Mustansiriya University in 1963. Today, the University of Baghdad is the largest university in Iraq and one of the biggest in the Arab world.

Before a big war called the Gulf War, Baghdad had many schools from other countries, such as a French school, a German school, and a Japanese school. Today, Baghdad has several universities, including the University of Baghdad, Mustansiriya University, Iraqi University, and others.

Culture

See also: Culture of Iraq, Baghdad Arabic, and Café culture of Baghdad

Baghdad has been an important part of Arab culture, producing many famous writers, musicians, and artists. The city has a special way of speaking Arabic that is different from other places in Iraq. Baghdad became a City of Literature in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2015.

The city has important cultural places like the National Theater, which was damaged but is being fixed. During the 1990s, many movie theaters turned into live performance spaces. There are schools for music and art, and an orchestra that plays classical music and Iraqi songs. Different communities also have their own cultural clubs and centers.

Baghdad has museums with old treasures, but many were lost during chaotic times. There are radio stations that broadcast news and entertainment for the city.

Sport

See also: Sport in Iraq

Baghdad is home to some of the most successful football (soccer) teams in Iraq. The biggest teams are Al-Shorta, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Zawraa, and Al-Talaba. The largest stadium in Baghdad is Al-Shaab Stadium, which opened in 1966. Recently, new football stadiums have been built and will open soon. The city also has a long history of horse racing, which started after World War I and is often called simply 'Races'.

Twin towns – sister cities

Baghdad has several twin towns and sister cities around the world. These include:

Cairo, Egypt
Pyongyang, North Korea
Tehran, Iran
Jerusalem (East), Palestine