Visit Baghdad Governorate

The Baghdad Governorate is the largest of Iraq's governorates and includes the country's capital city. It is located in the central-east region of Iraq and borders Wasit, Babil, Diyala, Salah al-Din, Kirkuk and Anbar. The region boasts many tourist attractions including the historic Abbasid Palace and Zawra Park. The Abbasid Palace dates back to 8th century CE when it was built by the Abbasid Caliphs who ruled Baghdad at that time. Today's remains still display intricate decorations that reflect its past glory. Zawra Park is a large public park in central Baghdad whose grounds are home to an amusement park, a zoo, theatres and other entertainment venues.

An interesting historical fact about this region relates to its role in one of the most famous stories from 1001 Nights - "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves". According to legend, Ali Baba was born near Basra in present day Iraq which is within this same province - making Ali Baba part of local folklore for generations!