Wasit Governorate
| Wasit Governorate واسط | |
|---|---|
| Governorate | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 32°40′N 45°45′E / 32.667°N 45.750°ECoordinates: 32°40′N 45°45′E / 32.667°N 45.750°E | |
| Country |
 Iraq |
| Capital | Kut |
| Area | |
| • Total | 17,153 km2 (6,623 sq mi) |
| Population (2013) | |
| • Total | 1,450,000 |
Wasit Governorate (Arabic: واسط Wāsit) is a governorate in eastern Iraq, bordering Iran. Its name comes from the Arabic word meaning "middle," as it lies along the Tigris about midway between Baghdad and Basra. Major cities include the capital Al Kut, Al-Hai, Al-Suwaira, and Wasit. Prior to 1976 it was known as Kut Province. The governorate contains the Mesopotamian Marshes of Shuwayja, Al-Attariyah, and Hor Aldelmj.
History
The ancient Sumerian city-state of Der is located near the town of Badra.
The governorate experienced heavy fighting in the Iran-Iraq war, specifically the Battle of the Marshes.
During the Iraq spring fighting of 2004, the Mahdi Army briefly took control of the capital Kut, from April 6 to April 16, before being defeated.
Provincial Government
Districts
Demographics
The population is approximately 1,450,000. The majority are Shia Arabs. The marshes have traditionally been home to many Marsh Arabs. There are also Feyli Kurds in the eastern towns of Badra and Jassan. A small Lurish community exists east of Kut.[3]
As of 2007, the unemployment rate is 10% and the poverty rate is 35%.[4]
External links
- Iraq Inter-Agency Information & Analysis Unit Reports, Maps and Assessments of Iraq's Governorates from the UN Inter-Agency Information & Analysis Unit
References
- ↑ "Governor of Wasit province outgoing Mahdi al-Zubaidi hand over his post to Mahmoud Abdul Ridha Talal". DinarVets. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
- ↑ Archived October 8, 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ http://www.ncciraq.org/images/infobygov/NCCI_Wassit_Governorate_Profile.pdf
- ↑ http://www.iau-iraq.org/gp/wassit/default.asp
 |
Diyala Governorate |  Ilam Province, Iran |
| |
| Babil Governorate |  |
|||
| ||||
 | ||||
| Al-Qādisiyyah Governorate | Dhi Qar Governorate | Maysan Governorate |
| ||||||||
| |||||||||||||
