Search Geography Explorer

Search countries, cities, rivers, lakes, deserts, oceans, islands and more

Fun facts about Najaf

5 facts - tap any card to flip it and learn more.

Discover more facts
Shrine of Imam Ali Najaf August 2023
city

The word 'najaf' literally means a high and rectangular place around which water is accumulated.

Najaf
Iraq
Tap to learn more
city

Najaf

Iraq

Country
Iraq
Population
1.3M
Coordinates
32.00, 44.33
242nd most populous city in the world

Najaf is the capital city of the eponymous Najaf Governorate in central Iraq, about 160 km (99 mi) south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2024 was about 1.41 million people.

From the “Etymology” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Goudarz.memar · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 1 permalink
Shrine of Imam Ali Najaf August 2023
city

Najaf possesses one of the largest burial grounds in the vicinity for Christians.

Najaf
Iraq
Tap to learn more
city

Najaf

Iraq

Country
Iraq
Population
1.3M
Coordinates
32.00, 44.33
242nd most populous city in the world

Najaf is the capital city of the eponymous Najaf Governorate in central Iraq, about 160 km (99 mi) south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2024 was about 1.41 million people.

From the “History” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Goudarz.memar · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 2 permalink
Shrine of Imam Ali Najaf August 2023
city

The Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf is considered the third holiest Islamic site by Shiites.

Najaf
Iraq
Tap to learn more
city

Najaf

Iraq

Country
Iraq
Population
1.3M
Coordinates
32.00, 44.33
242nd most populous city in the world

Najaf is the capital city of the eponymous Najaf Governorate in central Iraq, about 160 km (99 mi) south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2024 was about 1.41 million people.

From the “Religious significance” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Goudarz.memar · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 3 permalink
Shrine of Imam Ali Najaf August 2023
city

Najaf has two football stadiums, including the Al-Najaf International Stadium with a capacity of 30,000.

Najaf
Iraq
Tap to learn more
city

Najaf

Iraq

Country
Iraq
Population
1.3M
Coordinates
32.00, 44.33
242nd most populous city in the world

Najaf is the capital city of the eponymous Najaf Governorate in central Iraq, about 160 km (99 mi) south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2024 was about 1.41 million people.

From the “Culture” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Goudarz.memar · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 4 permalink
Shrine of Imam Ali Najaf August 2023
city

Najaf International Airport oversees the transit of over 3 million passengers annually, predominantly pilgrims.

Najaf
Iraq
Tap to learn more
city

Najaf

Iraq

Country
Iraq
Population
1.3M
Coordinates
32.00, 44.33
242nd most populous city in the world

Najaf is the capital city of the eponymous Najaf Governorate in central Iraq, about 160 km (99 mi) south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2024 was about 1.41 million people.

From the “Infrastructure” section

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photo: Goudarz.memar · CC BY-SA 4.0

Fact 5 permalink