Baghdad

Introduction

an evening in Tigris.

© All Rights Reserved Mohd anuar

Baghdad (Arabic: بغداد‎) is the capital and largest city in Iraq with over 7 million people living in the city itself and over 9 million in the metropolitan area. It is one of the larger cities in the entire region of the Middle East and located along the Tigris River, people have been living here for at least 1,250 years. Unfortunately, the city is off limits for travellers since years as the war in Iraq continues. Thousands of people have been killed, both by foreign troups as well as (and mainly) bomb attacks by rivalising islamic groups like the Shi'ite and Sunni. A big wall has even been constructed around the Sunni district of Baghdad but so far this hasn't helped too much. That said, the city still has some sights to offer for the first adventurous travellers who will come here hopefully in the near future. The Hands of Victory and the National Museum are only a few sights and dozens of holy mosques complete it.

Weather

The weather in Baghdad is hot and dry during the summer, with temperatures often hitting 45 °C or more. In winter, frosts are possible and during the winter of 2007/2008 snow was recorded for the first time in tens of years.

Getting there

By Plane

Iraqi Airways is the national airline of Iraq. Based at Baghdad International Airport (SDA), offically it has several flights to countries in the region and to London and Frankfurt, but due to instability in the country schedules vary and may change often.

Keep Connected

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls