//
Iraq
Photo: Hassan Janali, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Southern Iraq stretches south of the Baghdad Belts of Iraq to Kuwait. It is also referred to as Lower Mesopotamia (Mesopotamia meaning the Land between the Rivers – the Euphrates and Tigris) or the Cradle of Civilization. The largest religious group in the area is Shia Islam.
By train
There are overnight trains from Baghdad to Basra, calling in many cities in the region on its way.
By car
Driving is perhaps the most common way of getting around. Freeway 1 runs in a north-south direction, connecting Basra with Baghdad. The road is generally in good condition, but traffic can be bad.
By ferry
A river ferry is available from Khorramshahr, across the border in Iran, to Basra. The journey takes just 45 minutes and there are multiple sailings each week.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Basra · International · BSR
Loading places around the airport…
Amarah is a city with about 1.2 million inhabitants in Southern Iraq and the capital of Maysan province.
Al Diwaniyah is a city in Southern Iraq.
Basra (Arabic: البصرة Al Baṣrah) is a port city in Southern Iraq, close to the border with Kuwait and Iran. It is Iraq's third largest city with a population of 2,150,000 (2017).
Hillah is in Southern Iraq. Hillah is the nearest city to the ruins of Babylon, which are 5 km north of the city.
Karbala (Arabic: كربلاء) is a city in Southern Iraq. It is considered one of the holiest cities in the country.
Najaf is a city in Southern Iraq.
Nasiriyah is a city in Southern Iraq. It is the closest major settlement to the prehistoric city of Ur.
Umm Qasr is one of the most important port cities in Southern Iraq, on the Shatt al-Arab waterway.
Articles and travel topics about Southern Iraq and Iraq.
Culture & historyMesopotamia is in the Middle East, mainly in present-day Iraq, with parts of it in Syria and Turkey and influence extending into what are now Iran and the Persian Gulf states.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureThe Ramsar sites are wetlands designated as of international importance; many are of great interest to birdwatchers. Some are easy to visit while others are destinations for wilderness backpacking.
Wikivoyage
Food & drinkWhile the Middle East is vast and diverse, similar culinary traditions can be found across the region. They have been formed by the Mediterranean climate, commercial routes to Europe, Asia and Africa, and the Abrahamic…
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyIslam is one of the world's most important religions, second only to Christianity in number of adherents. Its followers are called Muslims and their houses of worship, mosques.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.
