Baghdad

Baghdad is Iraq's capital and largest city, set on both banks of the Tigris River in the centre of the country. Founded in 762 by the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur as the circular 'City of Peace', it grew into one of the medieval world's leading centres of trade, learning and Islamic culture.

Baghdad's long history remains visible in sites such as the Abbasid Palace, the Mustansiriya Madrasa and the shrine of al-Kadhimiya, alongside modern landmarks including the Al-Shaheed Monument and Tahrir Square. The National Museum of Iraq holds major Mesopotamian, Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian collections.

Neighbourhoods such as Karrada and Mansour are known for their shops, restaurants and cafés, while the historic Al-Mutanabbi Street book market and the Shorja bazaar reflect the city's enduring literary and trading culture. Parks like Al-Zawraa and riverside areas along the Tigris provide green space within the urban centre.

Baghdad is also Iraq's political and commercial heart, home to government institutions, banks, media outlets and the Baghdad International Fair. Its food scene includes riverside masgouf restaurants, traditional tea houses and a growing number of modern cafés, while hotels and business venues cluster in central districts.

For visitors, Baghdad offers a distinctive mix of ancient heritage, Islamic architecture and contemporary city life. Leisure and business travellers come for its culture, government and commercial meetings, conferences and events, with the city's airport and road network connecting it to the rest of Iraq and beyond.