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invasion. Though it was rebuilt, it would not regain its previous
glory until the 1970s, as wealth from the sale of oil began to flow
into Iraq.
Today, Baghdad sprawls across both banks of the Tigris River,
covering an area of about 800 square miles (2,071 sq km). About
one-quarter of Iraq’s people live in or around the city. Much of Iraq’s
industry can be found near Baghdad. It is also the seat of govern-
ment, as the Council of Representatives meets there and the presi-
dent of Iraq has his office there.
Iraq contains many mosques and Islamic shrines dating back
more than 1,000 years. Perhaps the most famous is the ninth-
century Great Shrine of al-Mutawakkil, located outside Baghdad.
Its spiral minaret soars 164 feet (50 meters). Another landmark
near Baghdad is the Arch of Ctesiphon, which is all that is left of
a Persian city built 2,200 years ago. The arch is believed to be the
widest single-span brick vault in the world. The Baghdad Zoo is a
popular tourist attraction, and Baghdad University is the second-
largest university in the Arab world.
Unfortunately, in the past two decades life has grown harder for
the residents of Baghdad. Allied bombing attacks during the 1991
Gulf War and the 2003 conflict turned large areas of the city into
rubble. More recently, the city has been targeted by insurgents. In
early 2015, a series of suicide bombings killed dozens of civilians.
Baghdad is considered to be among the world’s most dangerous
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sack—to capture, plunder, and destroy a city or town.
proximity—to be near or close to something else.
Words to Understand in This Chapter