Governorate of Baghdad - Republic Of Iraq · 2013. 9. 19. · Baghdad has many museums, most important of which are the National Iraqi Museum which exhibit the antique treasures of

Governorate of Baghdad Historical Background

Governorate of Baghdad is the capital of the Republic of Iraq. It is situated on the Tigris River. It is the biggest city in Iraq; the second biggest city in the Arab world after Cairo, and the second biggest city in Western Asia, after Tehran, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Baghdad is an important point as roads, air, and trains cross at it. It is regarded as the economic, administrative, commercial and educational center and the headquarter of the government of Iraq. Baghdad has been the most important center of the various sciences in the world. It had been the meeting spot of scholars and learners for many centuries. Baghdad has several names, such as, Al-Mudawarrah (the Circular), Al-Zawra (the Deviated), and Dar Ul-Salam (House of Peace). Tigris River passes through the city, dividing it into two halves: Karkh (Western part) and Rusafa (Eastern part). Baghdad has a lot of historical and civilization sites, most important of which is Al-Mustansiriyah School, ancient Islamic mosques, and the National Museum which embraces the most important Arab and Babylonian antiques. Baghdad has also a number of the religious shrines.

Area: 4.555 sq km. Main cities

Rusafa Constituency, Kadhimiyah Constituency, A'adhamiyah Constituency, Al-Sadr Constituency (1), Al-Sadr Constituency (2), Madaien Constituency, Abu Ghraib Constituency, Mahmoudiyah Constituency, Taji Constituency, Tarmiyah Constituency.

Bridges in Baghdad:

Muthanna Bridge, Aa'ima Bridge, 14th of Ramadhan Bridge, Iron Bridge, Bab Al-Muadham Bridge, Shuhada Bridge, Ahrar Bridge, Sinak Bridge, Jumhuria Bridge, 14th of July Bridge, Jadria Bridge, Hasanain Bridge, Dora Bridge.

Population density

Inhabitants of Baghdad are approximately (7.596.860), seven million, and five hundred ninety six thousand, eight hundred sixty person according to 2013 statistics. Almost 83% of the inhabitants of the capital are concentrated in the City of Baghdad itself, while 17% of them reside in its Constituencies and outskirts.

These data shows that the density within the municipal boundaries of the city is extremely high. This high density requires more and more housing complexes and other various economic activities.

Main activities The most important activities at the Governorate of Baghdad are concentrated in the following fields:

Oil refine, light industries, financial services, food manufacturing, tobacco, furniture, printing, construction, chemical and plastic material production, and electric devices.

Economy at a Glance

The capital Baghdad is regarded the center of the main and commercial activities. The main important oil industries are concentrated in it. Among these industries is Eastern Baghdad oil field which includes the biggest fixed reservations, in addition to many innovated and traditional industries among which are leather, textile, cement, and tobacco industries. Baghdad, as well, is a central and crucial center of financial and banking exchanges through its financial and banking sector (state and private). The most important specialized universities, schools, specialized institutes, state and private hospitals are located at it, in addition to a wide net of roads, international and local transport lines. Infrastructures

- There is a wide net of main roads and highways which link the capital to its south, north, east, and west. Among the most important of these is the international highway which links Baghdad to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in addition to the international way which links Basra to Turkey through Zakho in the north and passes through Baghdad, the capital.

- There are a number of important railway lines which link north Iraq to its south. There is, for instance, (Baghdad- Mosul) and (Baghdad- Basra) railways.

- There is also one of the most important airports (Baghdad International Airport), which is located at the southern part of Baghdad, 16 km away from the center of the city. In addition, there is a net of land roads which link Baghdad, the capital, to the international lines, such as, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Turkey, and Syria.

Education

Baghdad has four Universities, Baghdad University (est. 1957), Mustansiriyah University (est. 1963), Technology University (est. 1974), and Nahrain University (est. 1980). There is also the Technical Institutes Foundation (est. 1969) which turned to be (Technical Teaching Commission) in 2001. There are number of private Universities and Colleges all over the city, in addition, there are almost 2.100 primary schools, 1074 secondary schools, and a number of technical and training institutes.

Tourist sites Baghdad has many museums, most important of which are the National Iraqi Museum which exhibit the antique treasures of Mesopotamia Civilization, Baghdadi Museum for Folklore Arts. It has numerous mosques, religious shrines, churches, and cathedrals.

1. Mustansiriyah School: This had been the most important university in the Islamic world during the Abbasid era. It had gained a wide reputation in teaching Arabic language; Theology, Astronomy, Mathematics, Medicine, Pharmacology, as well as it had its own university hospital to train its students.

Historically speaking, Mustansiriyah School had been famous for its watch which had been functioning astronomically; in addition to pointing time, it depicted locations of sun and moon at any time.

2. Abbasid Palace: One of the important buildings in Baghdad traced back to the second Abbasid era. It is situated near Bab Al-Mua'dhan, on the River bank. Historians assign its building to the Caliph Al-Nasir Li Deen Illah (575- 623 A. H./ 1179- 1225 A. D.).

3. Murjaniyah School: Murjaniyah School which is known today as Jami' Murjan is situated at Shorja quarter, Rasheed street. It had been named so after Ameen Al-Deen Murjan who had built it in 758 A. H./ 1357 A. D., i. e., almost a hundred year after the Abbasid era. In its early stages, it had been similar to the Mustansiriyah School, as it had classrooms and a dormitory department.

4. Baghdad fence and its gates: It is one of the most striking features of Baghdad. Its walls had been building circularly; its four gates deviate with 90 degrees for defensive purposes. Administrative and religious buildings were at the city center so as people may reach them easily.

5. Aqarquf: This is an important historical city. It is

one of the cities which were built according to Sumerian- Babylonian architectural concepts. It is situated on 30 km west northwards of the city center. Its building age traces back to the 15th century B. C. according to an Order by the King Qurikalzo after whom it had been named. Aqarquf had been built on a prolonged scheme on natural limestone. The city was taking its water from a branch of the River Euphrates (Baiti Inleel), i. e., God Canal, according to the Babylonian naming. People dedicated for this God the city biggest temple. It is the creative God and God of air. The most immanent thing one can see is the city Ziggurat, as it elevates to 57 meters above the plain surrounds it while the base was rectangular.

6. Madaien: This is one of the important historical cities the ruins of which erect on the eastern bank of the river Tigris, 30 km southwards the center of Baghdad. It was built during the 2nd century B. C. Its most prominent features are its high arch, a part of a huge palace on the River Tigris. Its building time goes back to the middle of the 3rd century A. D. This Arch is the biggest and highest brick built Arch all over the world. Its building design had been developed from genuine Iraqi style of architecture. Iwan (Hall) idea had been developed from the ancient Iraqi buildings. Cities' entrances frontages and some Assyrian palaces provide clear order of the development of the idea of Iwan.