Basra

In Arabic, the word baṣrah means 'the overwatcher', possibly referencing Basra's origin as an Arab military base.

Basra was founded in 636 as a garrison encampment for Arab tribesmen during the Islamic era.

Basra's irrigation system, covering some 57,000 hectares, was first reported in 962 but became largely abandoned by the late 900s.

Basra is located on the Shatt-Al-Arab waterway, roughly 110 km from the Persian Gulf.

The Old Mosque of Basra is the first mosque in Islam outside the Arabian peninsula.