Basra Province

Basra Province
It is located in the far south of Iraq ,bounded by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia from South and Iran from the east ,and has common boundaries with Dhi-Qar and Mesan from the north and Al-Muthana from the east,its capital is Al-Basra city ,it is the sixth largest province in Iraq in terms of area ,it covers an area of 19,070 square km It is divided into three residential areas ,Al-Basra ,Al-Ashar, and Al-Makil. From an economic side ,Basra is the only Iraqi port and its main outlet to Arab Gulf it includes several oil fields like Al-Romela and,Al-Shuaiba the province is the main source for growing palm trees, rice ,parley wheats and millet it is also famous for raising herds of cattle ,it is located on a land of varying terrain like plain mountain, plateaus and desert.It is also famous for its popular dishes ,the most famous is (Masmota)it consists of dried salty fish .Basra has Marshes like ,Al-Hamar Marsh and Al-Musahab and Sleen marshes .Basrs is distinguished by Al-Shanashel houses (decoration on windows), which appeared for the first time in the 17 century before moving to Baghdad and rest Iraqi cities, it overlook Shatt Al Arab.

Religious Sites in the Province

The Shrine of Al-Hassan Al-Basri
It is one of the most ancient archeological and Islamic shrines in Iraq, it is located in al-Zubair district at the central Cemetery in the industrial area of Basra .Al-Hassan Al-Basri is one of followers of Sahabat of prophet Mohammed and one of Al-Basrah scholars ,he was born in 21AH and 642AD and died in 110 AH 728AD ,he was an Imam and scholar ,he was born in Al-Madina and died in Basra .

The Foot Step of Imam Ali p.b.u.h.
It is the first mosque in Islam that built out of Mecca and Madina ,it is located in Al-Zubair city at west of Al-Basra ,it was built in 14 AH,it witnessed an important periods of history of Muslims and Islam like, visiting Imam Ali p.b.u.h and Aisha for it after Al-Jamal Battle,it is considered the first religious school.

Al-Kawaz Mosque
It is one of the historical and archeological mosques in Iraq, it is located in Al-Mishraq area in Basra city ,it is said that it is one of the oldest mosques in Basra it was built by Al-Sheik Sari Bin Al-Sheik Hasan Al-Thain Al-Hashimi in just three days ,he built it with reed in 920AH ,1514 AD.

Churches in the Province

Mar Toma Church
It is one of the oldest Chaldean churches ,which is still standing in Basra,it was built in 1882AD it is distinguished by its unique architectural style ,it is a destination for everyone from different religions and sects. There are many other churches in the province like ,virgin Mary for Orthodox and Armenian Orthodox church and Syriac catholic church.