Ash Shāmīyah, Iraq

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Ash Shāmīyah, Iraq

Region: Baghdad

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Geographic Coordinates: 31.963600, 44.598900

Climate: Hot and dry summers, mild winters with occasional rainfall.

Population: 300000

Language: Arabic

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Ash Shāmīyah is a small town situated in the eastern part of Iraq, Near the border with Iran. The town has a population of approximately 15, 000 people and is located in the Diyala Governorate. Despite its size, Ash Shāmīyah has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The Al-Salam Mosque is one of the most prominent landmarks in Ash Shāmīyah and was constructed during the Abbasid era. This mosque features intricate Islamic architecture and beautiful calligraphy on its walls. It also boasts a large prayer hall that can accommodate up to 1, 500 worshippers at once.

Visitors can also explore Hulwan, An ancient city known for its significance as a major center for trade and commerce during the Sassanid Empire (224-651 AD). The ruins of this city still stand today with impressive walls and gates. Nature lovers will appreciate Ash Shāmīyah’s location near several mountain ranges where visitors can enjoy hikes or picnics at scenic spots throughout them. Agriculture plays an important role in their economy with wheat being one of their main crops along with barley and corn while livestock farming like sheep rearing also contributes significantly.

Despite being located near areas affected by conflicts over recent years due to wars between Iraq-Iran & US-Iraq conflicts; local authorities have worked hard towards maintaining stability within their community resulting in relative peace for Ash Shāmīyah today. Overall, Ash Shāmīyah offers visitors an opportunity to experience both history and nature while getting a glimpse into rural life in Iraq – making it well worth visiting for those interested in exploring this fascinating country.

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• 1. The ancient city of Babylon
• 2. The Ziggurat of Ur
• 3. The Al-Mustansiriya School
• 4. The Great Mosque of Samarra
• 5. Erbil Citadel
• 6. Mosul Dam
• 7. Al-Shaheed Monument
• 8. Hatra Archaeological Site
• 9. Ctesiphon Archway

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• 1. Agriculture (wheat, barley, and cotton)
• 2. Oil and gas production
• 3. Construction materials manufacturing (cement)
• 4. Food processing (dairy products and meat)
• 5. Retail trade
• 6. Tourism (historical sites such as the ancient city of Babylon)

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Noteable History

• Ash Shāmīyah is a small town in Iraq with no significant historical events or people associated with it.
• The broader region of Iraq has been home to several notable events and individuals throughout history.
• The Battle of Karbala took place near Karbala in 680 AD and is an important event for Shia Muslims as it marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain.
• The Abbasid Caliphate was founded in 750 AD by Abu al-Abbas al-Saffah, with its capital located in Baghdad about 100 km north-east of Ash Shāmīyah.
• Harun al-Rashid was the fifth Abbasid caliph who ruled from his palace in Baghdad between 786-809 AD. He is known for his patronage of art and literature and features prominently in Arabian Nights stories.
• Saddam Hussein served as President from 1979 until he was deposed by a US-led invasion in 2003.
• The Islamic State (IS) emerged as a major terrorist group that controlled large parts of Iraq between 2014-2017 before being defeated by Iraqi forces with support from an international coalition led by the United States.
• The region around Ash Shāmīyah has been inhabited since ancient times, with Mesopotamia being one of the earliest centers of civilization dating back to around 4000 BC when Sumerians settled there.
• Famous writers like Al-Mutanabbi lived during this time period, but they were not associated with this particular town.

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Museums and Things To See

1. National Museum of Iraq: This museum has a vast collection of artifacts and exhibits related to the history and culture of Iraq.
2. Al-Shaheed Monument: This monument is dedicated to the soldiers who died during the Iran-Iraq War.
3. Baghdad Zoo: The zoo has a variety of animals from different parts of the world, including lions, tigers, bears, monkeys and more.
4. Al-Mutanabbi Street: It is a famous street in Baghdad known for its bookstores and literary cafes.
5. Abu Hanifa Mosque: It is one of the oldest mosques in Baghdad with beautiful architecture and history behind it.
6. Iraqi Museum of Modern Art: The museum showcases contemporary art by Iraqi artists from different periods.
7. Zawra Park: A large park with playgrounds for children and picnic areas for families to enjoy their weekends or holidays together.
8. Babylon ruins: These ancient ruins are located about 85 km south of Baghdad city center; they were once home to one of the Seven Wonders Of The World – Hanging Gardens Of Babylon – which was destroyed long ago but still attracts visitors today because it’s part of human history that we should learn from it!

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Cultural Events

1. Eid al-Fitr: A significant Islamic festival celebrated at the end of Ramadan.
2. Ashura: A Shia Muslim festival commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain.
3. Arbaeen: Another Shia Muslim festival observed 40 days after Ashura.
4. Baghdad International Film Festival: An annual event showcasing films from around the world.
5. Babylon Festival for Contemporary Art: An annual art festival featuring contemporary art from local and international artists.
6. Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here Festival: A literary festival celebrating poetry, prose, and storytelling in honor of Al-Mutanabbi Street (a historic street known for its bookstores).
7. Mesopotamian Marshes Festival: A cultural event showcasing the unique heritage and traditions of the Marsh Arab community in southern Iraq.

Please note that this list may not be exhaustive as there could be many other cultural events or festivals happening in Ash Shāmīyah throughout the year depending on various factors such as religious beliefs, regional customs, etc.

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Cuisine

• Masgouf: A popular Iraqi dish made with grilled fish seasoned with spices and served with rice.
• Kebab: Grilled meat skewers usually served with bread or rice.
• Shawarma: A Middle Eastern sandwich consisting of shaved meat (usually chicken or lamb), vegetables, and sauce wrapped in a pita bread.
• Al-Masry Restaurant: Known for its delicious kebabs and other grilled meats.
• Abu Afif Restaurant: Famous for its masgouf fish dishes cooked over an open fire.
• Al-Rasheed Sweets & Bakery: A bakery that offers traditional Iraqi sweets like baklava and kunafa.
• Al-Khayyam Restaurant: Specializes in Middle Eastern cuisine including shawarma, kebab, falafel, hummus, and tabbouleh salads.
• Samad Al-Iraqi Restaurant: Known for its seafood dishes such as fried shrimp and grilled fish platters.
• Falafel Darwish: Offers freshly made falafel sandwiches stuffed with vegetables and tahini sauce.
• Muntaha al-Adhamiya Bakery & Sweets Shoppe – Known for their traditional Iraqi baked goods like samoon breads filled with sesame seeds or cheese filling.

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Parks and Recreation

1. Al-Shaheed Park
2. Al-Zawraa Park
3. Al-Rasheed Park
4. Al-Mansour Mall (shopping and entertainment center)
5. Baghdad Zoo
6. Sports City (stadiums for football/soccer, basketball, volleyball)
7. Swimming pools (some hotels may offer public access)
8. Picnic areas along the Tigris River

It is recommended to check with local authorities or tourism offices for updated information on available parks and recreational activities in Ash Shāmīyah, Iraq before planning a visit or engaging in any activity due to safety concerns in the region.

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Dream, Travel, Repeat.

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