Baghdad

Baghdad is the capital and largest city of Iraq, located along the Tigris River in central Iraq. Founded in 762 CE by the Abbasid caliph al-Mansur as the Abbasid capital, it became a major political, commercial, and cultural center. The name Baghdad is of debated origin, commonly linked to Persian elements meaning “God-given” or “given by God.” The city sits at the heart of Mesopotamia, bridging ancient trade routes and diverse communities.

During the Islamic Golden Age, Baghdad was a renowned center of learning and science, home to the House of Wisdom and scholars in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy. It remained the capital of successive dynasties until the Mongol sack of 1258, which marked a turning point in its political influence. In later centuries it came under Ottoman rule, and after World War I it became the capital of modern Iraq. Since independence, Baghdad has served as the political and administrative heart of the country.

In the modern era, Baghdad has faced periods of conflict and rebuilding. The 2003 US-led invasion led to substantial violence and disruption, followed by years of insurgency and sectarian tension. The city was affected by the Islamic State’s advances in 2014-2017, though Iraqi forces secured the area by 2017. Since then, Baghdad has focused on reconstruction, governance, and social stabilization, while remaining Iraq’s central hub for politics, culture, and education.

Baghdad is ethnically and religiously diverse, with Arab, Kurdish, Turkmen, Armenian, and Assyrian communities. Arabic is the dominant language, with minority use of Kurdish and other languages. The city hosts universities, museums, and cultural institutions, reinforcing its role as a historic and contemporary center of Iraqi life.