Cheap flights to Baghdad
Baghdad (Arabic: بغداد Baġdād, Iraqi pronunciation: [bɐʁˈd̪ɑːd̪]) is the capital of the Republic of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Province. The population of Baghdad, as of 2011, is approximately 7,216,040, making it the largest city in Iraq,[1][2] the second largest city in the Arab world (after Cairo, Egypt), and the second largest city in Western Asia (after Tehran, Iran). According to the government, which is preparing for a census, the population of the country has reached 35 million, with 9 million in the capital.Located along the Tigris River, the city was founded in the 8th century and became the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate. Within a short time of its inception, Baghdad evolved into a significant cultural, commercial, and intellectual center for the Islamic world. This, in addition to housing several key academic institutions (e.g. House of Wisdom), garnered the city a worldwide reputation as the "Center of Learning". Throughout the High Middle Ages, Baghdad was considered to be the largest city in the world with an estimated population of 1,200,000 people. The city was largely destroyed at the hands of the Mongol Empire in 1258, resulting in a decline that would linger through many centuries due to frequent plagues and multiple successive empires. With the recognition of Iraq as an independent state (formerly the British Mandate of Mesopotamia) in 1938, Baghdad gradually regained some of its former prominence as a significant center of Arab culture.
Baghdad has a number of museums . The largest is the National Museum of Iraq. This is also the largest museum in the whole of Iraq . During the war in 2003, the museum was looted and there are so a 400000-600000 pieces stolen . There is a part back , but much remains to be found .
The Moestansirija - madrassa is one of the oldest Islamic universities in the world . It was built in the year 1227 and has survived several wars .
Other places of interest :
• Baghdad Tower is 205 meters the tallest building in Baghdad . It has a revolving restaurant at the top with a beautiful view over the city.
• Saray Souq is a typical old Arab market .
• Baghdadi Museum is a wax museum .
• Al Shaheed Monument is a monument to the Iraqi soldiers slain in the Iran-Iraq War.
• The Monument to the Unknown Soldier is a monument to the soldiers killed in the Iran-Iraq War.
Al Zawra'a Park is a huge park with a zoo and rides for children.
