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 Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 6:48 am Post subject: IRAQ TOURISM : Iraq Travel & Tourism GUIDE |
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IRAQ TOURISM : Iraq Travel & Tourism GUIDE
Iraq is the country of Mesopotamia or Land Between the Rivers in classical times.
Anyone travelling in these lands should read about the many civilizations that have passed through here. As a minimum be prepared on Sumer, Babylon, Assur, Persians, Greeks, Romans and finally Arabs. You will find many hundreds of ruins of cities everywhere you go.
It has a subtropical climate, with a tendency in direction of continental climate in the north. Iraq is very dependent on water from Tigris and Euphrates, as there is little rain falling here. The west and south is mostly stone desert. The country became known as Iraq in the 7th century. It’s the land were paradise allegedly once was. The region's extensive alluvial plains gave rise to the world's earliest civilizations, though in recent times it was not all that civilized. The modern Iraq was created in the aftermath of World War I and gained independence in 1932. Since then there was war on Iran, Syria, and most recently the invasion of Kuwait that led to the Gulf War. Internally the country has known violent uprising of Kurdish minorities answered by bloody suppression. After the monarchy was overthrown in 1958 there was a period of political instability with coups and countercoups until Saddam Hussein seized power in the 70s.
Iraq used to be one of the world's leading oil producers. In recent decades a steady cash flow generated by the black gold was the engine behind ambitious building projects and development programs and to build one of the largest and most powerful armies in the Middle East. Its strength was demonstrated during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-8 and in the 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
Everyone that has seen the images of missiles and bombs falling on the capital Baghdad will understand that this is not a holiday destination for the mentally sane. Economy has been totally disrupted by the war and reconstruction is slow. Tension between US and UK troops are still high.
Theoretically there’s the possibility to cross the northern borders from Turkey or Jordan, but the ongoing struggle for Kurdish independence also makes this area hazardous. There are no commercial flights to Baghdad and the borders to Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia and of course Kuwait are closed of.
Should it become easier to visit Iraq then the highlights of your visit would include Mosul in the north, with the big Assyrian cities of Ninevah and Nimrod close by, Baghdad , the capital, Karbala and An najaf just south of Baghdad, with the tombs of Ali and Husain, two very important Shiite religious leaders and Basra in the south.
Irak is the dream of any historian and archeolog. For the west, its were it all began. All those small hills you see on the highway, those are Tells, the ruins of ancient cities.
Sights in Iraq:
Historic Buildings
Mustansiriyah School
Built in the 13th century, during the reign of the 37th Abbasid caliph, Mustansir Billah, this was once a highly-esteemed university. Angela: It is incredible to stand in the courtyard of what is believed to be the world's first university. The buildings are in good condition for such an age and you can wander through them. Upstairs, you can look out over the Tigris River flowing past. If only these walls could talk...
Khan Murjan
The Khan used to bean inn for travelers. It was built in the 14th century and has a central hall more than 45 feet high.
Abbasid Palace
Built in the same era as the Mustansariyah and in the same architectural style, the palace overlooks the Tigris. Joon:
Murjaniya School
Originally built in 1357, this school building was demolished in the early part of the twentieth century and rebuilt as a mosque, known today as the Marjan Mosque.
Mosques:
Al-Khadhimain Mosque
This is one of the most important mosques in the Islamic world, with gold-capped domes and minarets rising above its courtyard. The mosque was built on the site of the shrines of two imams (Musa al-Kadhim and Muhammed al-Jawad) said to be descendants of the Prophet. The building dates from the early 16th century.
Marjan Mosque
Built on the place were the Murjaniya School used to be. sabu:
Museums
Museum of Popular Heritage
This is a collection of traditional old Baghdadi houses, and contains displays of traditional crafts, such as basketwork, carpets, woodwork and metalwork.
Baghdad Museum
Contains life-size models of the traditional life of Baghdad presented in tableau form.
Iraqi Museum
One of the best museums in the Middle East. It has a great collection of artifacts from Sumer, Akkad and other old civilizations.
Some of the objects on display here are reproductions, with their originals removed by conquering nations to be displayed in foreign museums. The Louvre in Paris, London's British Museum and the University of Pennsylvania Museum in the US all contain antiquities from ancient Mesopotamia. Some pieces have been returned, but the effective closure of the country seems to preclude any further returns for the foreseeable future. jackie more..
Museum of Pioneer Arts
This is another old Baghdadi house, built in 1922, with rooms constructed around a central courtyard containing a fountain. It is furnished with traditional old Baghdadi furniture and has an interesting collection of paintings on display.
Source: world66.com |
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