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Iraq

Things to do in Iraq

  1. Babylon

    Babylon, perhaps the most famous of Iraq's ancient sites, was most prominent during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II (605-563 BC). With its high walls and magnificent palaces and temples, it was regarded as one of the world's most beautiful cities. Now, all that remains of the ruins of Babylon is a huge and magnificent lion, eroded by time and the weather.

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  2. Ur of the Chaldees

    Ur is one of the most impressive ancient sites in Iraq. It was mentioned in the Bible as the birthplace of Abraham, and its earliest buildings date from 4000 BC. For three successive dynasties it was the capital of Sumeria. The ziggurat is impressive and the royal tombs well preserved.

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  3. Arch of Ctesiphon

    Little is left of the city of Ctesiphon, apart from the arch. The city was built in the 2nd century BC by the Parthian Persians. The arch was part of a great banqueting hall and, apparently, is the widest single-span vault in the world. It survived the disastrous flooding of the Tigris in 1887, which destroyed much of the rest of the building.

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