This thoroughly updated third edition of Bradt's Iraq remains the only dedicated guide to this ancient land. Up-to-date travel information is included, plus all the necessary safety details. Ideal for both armchair and in-destination travel, it covers history, archaeology and culture, including iconic sites such as Babylon and Ur, the stunning architecture of the country's mosques, the natural beauty and wildlife of the Marshes and beautiful Iraqi handicrafts. New for this edition are more archaeological sites in the south, including Telloh and Charax Sparinou, Alexander the Great's port city. Muslim sites and festivals are covered, as is the influence of Shia Islam and the geo-politics of the region. The modern development of Iraq is starting to look exciting and after years in which ancient sites have suffered destruction and neglect, archaeologists are now breaking new grounds and making new discoveries. Iraq's rich and inspirational history is easily forgotten in the tragic turmoil of recent years. This is where writing began and where zero was introduced into mathematics. Although parts of the country remain off limits to tourists, there is plenty to see elsewhere, from Kurdistan's capital, Erbil, one of the world's oldest inhabited cities, to the dazzling shrines of Kerbala, Najaf and Kufa, ruins of ancient Mesopotamian cities, sites of recent US military history such as Fallujah, and the grave of Gertrude Bell, who explored, mapped and excavated the world of the Arabs and provided military intelligence for TE Lawrence's military activities. You can visit the Tombs of the Iraqi Royal family and Ctesiphon, the largest free-standing brick archway in the world, see archaeological proof of the great flood, mentioned in the Bible and the Gilgamesh, and discover the treasures of the National Museum of Iraq. The authors bring their considerable knowledge and understanding of Iraq to provide all the practical and background information needed for a successful trip. Advice on cultural awareness and religious sensitivity in the context of Iraqi history, along with where to get the latest information on which parts of the country you can still visit, make this an invaluable guide.

Vorwort
. The only guide dedicated to those parts of Iraq which are accessible to visitors. . Covers sites of recent military activity such as Fallujah . Experts authors who have travelled extensively in Iraq over many years About Bradt Travel Guides . Founded in 1974, Bradt is now the largest independent guidebook publisher in the UK with over 200 titles in print . Serial winner of the Gold award for Best Guidebook Series in the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards . Bradt guides are written by authors who really know their destinations. Many are resident there, or have been visiting regularly over a number of years . Each new Bradt guide is backed by a dedicated press and social media campaign

Autorentext

By Geoff Hann and Tina Townsend-Greaves - With Karen Dabrowska and Maria Oleynik

Zusammenfassung
Iraq Travel Guide - Travel information and expert advice including Baghdad hotels and restaurants, archaeological sites, history, culture, safety and visas, itineraries and tour operators. Also covered are the Kurdistan Region, Erbil, Basra, Great Ziggurat of Ur, Nineveh, Khorsabad, the Marshes, the Shrine Cities of Kerbala and Najaf, and Babylon.

Inhalt

Introduction

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION

Chapter 1 Background Information

Geography and climate, Natural history and conservation, Government and politics, Economy, People, Language, Religion, Education, Culture

Chapter 2 History

Early Mesopotamia, Before Sumer, The Sumerians, Babylon and Hammurabi, The Assyrians, Babylon revisited, Persian conquest, Alexander the Great, The Umayyads, The Abbasids, The Mongols, The Ottomans, Modern times

Chapter 3 Archaeology

Introduction, The history of archaeology in Iraq, Archaeology in Iraq today

Chapter 4 Practical Information

When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Police and military, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Women travellers, Travellers with disabilities, LGBTQ+ travellers, Travelling with kids, What to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Media and communications, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively

PART TWO BETWEEN THE TWO RIVERS

Chapter 5 Baghdad and Environs

History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information and tour operators, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Arts and entertainment, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Around Baghdad

Chapter 6 East and West of Baghdad

Baquba, Around Baquba, The international border crossing in Diyala Province to Iran, Fallujah, Around Fallujah, Ramadi, Around Ramadi, The international border crossings in Anbar Province to Syria and Jordan, Rutba, Balad, Samarra, Tikrit (Saladin), Around Tikrit, Bayji

Chapter 7 Kirkuk and Mosul

Kirkuk, Around Kirkuk, Mosul, Around Mosul, To the north of Mosul, To the east of Mosul, To the west of Mosul, To the south of Mosul

Chapter 8 The Road South

History, Kerbala, Around Kerbala, Ukhaider, Around Ukhaider, Al-Hilla, Babylon, Around Babylon, Ancient Borsippa (Birs Nimrud), Al-Kifl or Chifal, Kufa, Najaf, Around Najaf, Al-Hira, Heading further south, Diwaniyah, Nippur (Niffar), Isin, Samawah, Around Samawah, Uruk, Larsa (modern Tel Senkereh), Tel Ubaid, Eridu (Tel Abu Sharein), Ur, Nasiriyah

Chapter 9 Return from Basra

Basra, Around Basra, Al-Qurna, The Marshes, Al-Uzair, Al-Amarah, Al-Kut, Al-Hiba (Lagash), Wasit

PART THREE IRAQI KURDISTAN

Chapter 10 Practicalities in Kurdistan

General information, Practical information, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators and guides, Red tape, Embassies and other representation, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, Women travellers, LGBTQ+ travellers, Travellers with disabilities, Travelling with kids, What to take, Money, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Media and communications, Business, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively

Chapter 11 Erbil and Environs

History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Around Erbil

Chapter 12 Duhok and Environs

History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Towards Turkey, South of Duhok, Northeast of Duhok

Chapter 13 Sulaymaniyah and Environs

History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Shopping and entertainment, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Around Sulaymaniyah

Appendix 1 Language

Appendix 2 Further Information

Appendix 3 Bibliography

Index