Central EHERC, Baghdad

The EHERC in the central region is centered in the city of Baghdad. It covers the regions of Baghdad, Babylon, Najaf, Karbala, Ramadi, Diyala, and Tikrit.

 

Demographics and Geography: The majority of the population in the central region is Arab. The region is divided between the arid desert west of the Euphrates river, and the broad central river valley between the Tigris and the Euphrates known as Mesopotamia. This valley is mainly low-lying plains, rarely exceeding 1,000 feet above sea level. The main export of the central region is oil, and the area contains many oil refineries. However, despite increased oil production, the economy has been severely hindered by the UN trade-embargo imposed on the country after the Gulf War.

The Tigris River.

The city of Baghdad is the capital of Iraq. It is the second largest city in Southwest Asia with an estimated population of 5,772,000 in 2003. The city is situated on the Tigris river, and was once the center of Islamic civilization. Al-Mustanseriya university, located in Baghdad, is one of the most important universities in the Middle East.

 
The city of Baghdad.
  
Baghdad at night.
 
Al Tahreer Square (Liberty Square)
 
Al-Mustanseriya university in Baghdad.
 

History: The central region of Iraq was dominated by the city-state of Babylon which rose to prominence under King Hammurabi around 1800 B.C. Throughout antiquity the city of Babylon remained an important political and cultural center. Today, Babylon University continues the ancient legacy of Babylonia as a center for learning and advancement.

 
King Hammurabi - creator of one of the world's earliest law codes.
 
An artist's depiction of the hanging gardens of Babylon.
 
An artist's depiction of the ancient city of Babylon.
 
Babylon University in Hilla Iraq.

The city of Baghdad was founded in the 8th century A.D. by the Abbasid dynasty under Caliph al-Mansur. Baghdad soon became an important, cosmopolitan center of learning and commerce. The city was conquered by the Mongols in the 13th century A.D., after which it fell under the hegemony of the Ottoman Turks.

Kadhimain mosque in Baghdad - built in the 16th century.

In 1921 Baghdad came under British control and became part of the independent nation of Iraq in 1932. During the 1970s Baghdad experienced a period of growth and prosperity due to an increase in oil prices. The infrastructure was modernized and the education and literacy rate improved dramatically. However, the period of prosperity ended in the 1980s due to the Iran-Iraq war. The city's infrastructure deteriorated further in the 1990s after UN trade embargoes went into effect.

 

Current Environmental Problems: Air pollution from burning oil wells is the most serious environmental issue afflicting the central region of Iraq. Other factors detrimental to the environment include water pollution, airborne lead dust, which has had particularly devastating effects on the health of the community, negligent use of chemical fertilization leading to soil contamination, noise pollution, improper disposal of sewage (waste water) and solid waste materials, and a failing infrastructure.

 
Severe air pollution in Baghdad from burning oil wells.
 
Traffic and lack of emission standards has led to a high concentration of airborne lead.
 
Current Activities in the Central EHERC: Preparation of the Center in Baghdad has been completed. Laboratory equipment and textbooks have been shipped to Iraq to be installed. The Center will soon begin field research to help identify exposure and eliminate environmental pollutants in the central region.
 
 
The interior of the Center in Baghdad after renovation.