Southern Iraq

Southern Iraq stretches south of the Baghdad Belts of Iraq to Kuwait. It is also referred to as Lower Mesopotamia (Mesopotamia meaning the Land between the Rivers – the Euphrates and Tigris) or the Cradle of Civilization. The largest religious group in the area is Shia Islam.

Cities

🌍 Al Diwaniyah
🌍 Basra — the major city of the south, a large port town on the Shatt-al-Arab River just northwest of the Persian Gulf.
🌍 Hillah
🌍 Karbala
🌍 Najaf
🌍 Nasiriyah
🌍 Umm Qasr

Other destinations

🌍 Babylon
Ur

Understand

The entirety of Karbala Province is located here, and is notable as the place of Martyr Imam Husain, where he fought war with Yazid, then Emperor or caliph of muslims, who had support of sunnis, and was thus proclaimed Caliph. The place has the tomb Imam as well as his armies Commander-in-chief and brother Abbas Allambardar. The Imam Husain's army had 96 warriors including women's and children were called Ahlebait. The total deaths in Ahlebait was 72. The place has the tomb of all the martyrs. It is considered a sacred place for Shi'a Muslims.

Get in

Basra International Airport (BSR^IATA)

Get around

See

The Ur ziggurat

Southern Iraq is home to a mixed world heritage site, The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities, comprising four marshland areas and three Sumerian archaeological sites:

Huwaizah Marshes
Central Marshes
East Hammar Marshes
West Hammar Marshes
Uruk Archaeological City
Ur Archaeological City
Tell Eridu Archaeological Site

Do

Eat

Drink

Stay safe

Southern Iraq is much safer than the rest of Iraq, but even here it is important to remain vigilant at all times and ensure you are well protected.

Go next

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gollark: I doubt it actually makes it problematically contagious though.

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