Basrah, City of IraqBasrah, City of Iraq

The map of BasrahThe map of Basrah

BasraBasra is the capital ofis the capital of Basrah ProvinceBasrah Province, , IraqIraq, , and and had an estimated population of 3,800,200 as of had an estimated population of 3,800,200 as of 2009.2009. Basrah is also Iraq's main port, although Basrah is also Iraq's main port, although it is incapable of deep water access, which is it is incapable of deep water access, which is handled at the port ofhandled at the port of Umm QasrUmm Qasr

The city was called by many names throughout The city was called by many names throughout its history, Basrah being the most commonits history, Basrah being the most common. . Although some Chaldean Christians argue that Although some Chaldean Christians argue that the name has Akkadian roots, other sources the name has Akkadian roots, other sources claim that the name is derived from the Persian claim that the name is derived from the Persian word Basword Bas--rah, which means rah, which means ""where many where many paths meetpaths meet". ".

The city is located along the Shatt al-Arab The city is located along the Shatt al-Arab waterway near the Persian Gulf, waterway near the Persian Gulf, 545 kilometers from Baghdad, Iraq's capital 545 kilometers from Baghdad, Iraq's capital and largest city. and largest city.

The area surrounding Basrah has substantial The area surrounding Basrah has substantial large petroleum resources and many oil wells. large petroleum resources and many oil wells.

80% of Basrah's oil bearing fields is unexplored.80% of Basrah's oil bearing fields is unexplored.

Basrah is a city famous for its expansive date Basrah is a city famous for its expansive date palm grovespalm groves.. There are more than 200 kind of There are more than 200 kind of dates in Iraq and most of them appear in dates in Iraq and most of them appear in Basrah.Basrah.

During world war II, Basrah was an important During world war II, Basrah was an important port through which flowed much of the port through which flowed much of the equipment and supplies sent to Russia by the equipment and supplies sent to Russia by the other allies. At the end of the second world other allies. At the end of the second world war the population was some 93,000 people. war the population was some 93,000 people.

The city's economy is largely dependant on the The city's economy is largely dependant on the oil industryoil industry. . Some of Iraq's largest oil fields Some of Iraq's largest oil fields are located in the province, and most of Iraq's are located in the province, and most of Iraq's oils exports leaves from Al Basrah Oil oils exports leaves from Al Basrah Oil Terminal. The south Oil company has its Terminal. The south Oil company has its headquarter in the city. headquarter in the city.

University of University of BasrahBasrah

Founded inFounded in 1964 1964 to meet the needs of southernto meet the needs of southern IraqIraq, , the University of Basrah was at first affiliated with the University of Basrah was at first affiliated with thethe University of BaghdadUniversity of Baghdad, , but inbut in 1964 1964 it became an it became an independent bodyindependent body. . Today the University consists of Today the University consists of fourteen colleges located on three campuses around fourteen colleges located on three campuses around the city ofthe city of BasraBasra, , with research facilities and student with research facilities and student halls of residencehalls of residence

Grilled fish is traditional foodGrilled fish is traditional food

Sights of BasrahSights of Basrah