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Baghdad is the capital of Iraq. Founded in July 762 by the Abbasid dynasty, the city is considered as the second-largest city in Southwest Asia. It is also the capital of Baghdad Governorate and the second-largest city in the Arab. The name Baghdad is derived from the Persian, which means words "bagh" (God) and "dad" (given) that makes the name "God-given". Until the establishment of the Kingdom of Iraq in 1921, the city was under the Ottoman rule. It attained formal independence in 1932 and full independence in 1946. The city fell under the control of the US in April 2003, which led to the deposition of Saddam Hussein's regime. At present, the city is facing sectarian violence that leads to death of many and destruction of the buildings.
Area & Location: Sits on the Tigris River, the city is located at 33°20' Latitude North and 44°26' Longitude East. The city designed as a circle is also knwon as 'Round City'. The city, which occupies a total area of 204.2 sq. km has an estimated population of 7,400,000.
Tourist Attractions: Baghdad, which has a long tragic history, is often visited by tourists who wish to know more about its cultural and historical background.
Transportation: As the capital city, Baghdad is the nerve-center of Iraq's transportation system.
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Besides Iraq Airways, the national flag carrier, several international airlines operate from Baghdad International Airport (BIAP). It also has several railway lines that connect the city with other regions. The city has an extensive road network that has links with other neighboring countries. Double-decker buses and taxis include the public transportation of the country.
Hotels:The real tourists while on their visit to the city prefer to stay in comfortable hotels that provide custom made reception to them. The city offers a number of star hotels like Hotel Ishtar, Al Mansour Hotel, Hotel Al-Rasheed, Andalus Palace Hotel, Babylon Hotel, Palestine Intl Hotel, Al Sadeer Hotel, Palm Beach Hotel and Ambassador Hotel.
Places of Attraction: The city has a number of museums and mosques that invite visitors to it. The monuments and ruins of the war those remain in tact, draws in tourists from far and wide. The main points of interest in the city include the National Museum of Iraq that had priceless artifacts, which were looted during the US occupation, Hands of Victory arches- a pair of triumphal arches that consists of a pair of hands that hold crossed swords, the Baghdad zoo, Al Kadhimiya Mosque and Abbasid Palace-one of the oldest buildings is the 12th century. The remnants of the Saddam Hussein regime and the ruins of the mosques and buildings destroyed during sectarian violence are also touching.
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