Basra

Basra is a major city in southern Iraq and the administrative capital of Basra Governorate. It lies on the Shatt al-Arab waterway near the Persian Gulf and serves as Iraq’s principal port city. The metropolitan area has millions of residents and functions as a commercial and economic hub for the country.

Basra was founded in the 7th century as a garrison town by the early Islamic caliphate and grew into a leading center of trade, learning, and culture during the Abbasid period. It became associated with early Islamic jurisprudence and scholarship; the Basra school of jurisprudence and Basri theological thought emerged from its intellectual life. Its location on the Shatt al-Arab contributed to water-based trade links with the Persian Gulf and wider Indian Ocean world.

The city’s economy centers on the port and related industries. Umm Qasr is Iraq’s principal port complex, handling freight and cargo traffic with regional and international connections. Basra hosts refining and petrochemical facilities and is closely tied to Iraq’s oil sector. The University of Basrah, founded in 1964, is a key higher-education institution in the region.

The population is predominantly Shia Arab, with smaller communities and a history of ethnic and sectarian diversity. Basra’s local culture includes the Basrawi Arabic dialect, seafood-focused cuisine, and maritime traditions reflecting its river and Gulf setting.

In modern times Basra has faced reconstruction and development challenges following wars and sanctions, while remaining a central economic and administrative center in southern Iraq. The city continues to play a major role in trade, education, and energy-related industries.