Baghdad

Baghdad (Arabic: بـغداد Baġdād) is the capital of Iraq.

[edit] Understand

Once one of the greatest centres of learning and culture in the Islamic world, Baghdad has a long and illustrious history. Once a favored destination on the 'hippie trail' and packed full of sights; since the coalition invasion of 2003, Baghdad has since become one of the most dangerous cities on Earth. Hopefully peace will return to the city, and Baghdad will regain its rightful place amongst the best cities, but for now, it will come as no shock to anyone who has watched the news in the past decade, although dirty and services needs alot of work, it is getting, better, for foreign companies and workers the boom time is about to start and loads of complexes being built within secured zone of the airport contact www.yastec.com if u need any help with new VIP and STD accomodation being done their

[edit] Get in

Travel to Baghdad is emphatically not recommended at the present time (2011), owing to wartime instability and security concerns. Westerners are particular targets of kidnapping and assassination by militant and extremist groups.

[edit] By plane

There are flights from Istanbul to Baghdad Al Muthana International Airport [1] every day at 03.15. From Munich there are four flights every week, you may also fly from Vienna. Cities in the Middle East such as Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Damascus and Tehran all have good flight connections with Baghdad. Gryphon Air has flights from Kuwait; however, there are strict regulations on who may use the service since they arrive and depart from the military wing of the airport. Of course, for military personnel and others traveling on official business sanctioned by the United States, the US Air Force offers flights from neighboring countries. All flights are subject to suspension for reasons ranging from insurgent attacks on the airport to sandstorms.

[edit] By train

A nightly train service is avalible from Basra departing at 7PM, arrival time is 6:40AM the next morning. Delays are however very common. Prices range between 10,000 IQD for a couchette to 25,000 IQD for first class. There is also an irregular service from Fallujah. As of now (Summer 2011) there are no trains running between Baghdad and Mosul, for some time now they have been said to start running "soon".

[edit] By car

Overland travel is possible from all neighboring countries but strongly discouraged due to violence.

[edit] By bus

[edit] By boat

[edit] Get around

The preferred method of transportation is helicopter. If helicopter transport is not available, use of a fully armoured car or Rhino (armoured bus) is recommended. Within the International Zone (formerly known as the Green Zone) there is a free shuttle bus service by KBR. You can also walk to many destinations in the International Zone or use a bicycle.
A communter service connects the city with the southern suburd of Doura.

[edit][add listing] See

Monument to the Unknown Soldier.

The Assyrian Hall at the National Museum of Iraq.

• Al-Faw Palace (قصر الفاو). Also known as the Water Palace for it's locatation besides the Tigris river. Used as a military base for US troops.  edit
• Baghdad Zoo (حديقة حيوانات بغداد). The largest zoo in the country, opened in 1971. It was destroyed in the 2003 war but has quickly recovered. There are, however, few larger mammals to see.  edit

• Swords of Qādisīyah (قوس النصر), (Inside the Green Zone). A huge pair of triumphal arches celebrating the alleged victory over Iran. Also known as the Hands of Victory. It marks the entrances to a former parade ground.  edit

• Monument to the Unknown Soldier (صرح الجندي المجهول). Inspired by the glorification of a martyr from the Iran–Iraq War. The Monument represents a traditional shield (dira¹a) dropping from the dying grasp of an Iraqi warrior. The monument used to house a museum which is now mostly empty. Ask the Iraqi soldiers who guard the monument for permission.  edit

• Al-Shaheed Monument (نُصب الشهيد‎), (East side of the Tigris river, near the Army Canal). Another monument dedicated to the Iraqi soldiers who died in the Iran-Iraq war. The monument consists of a circular platform 190 meters in diameter in the center of an artificial lake. A museum, library, cafeteria, lecture hall, and exhibition gallery are located in two levels underneath the domes.  edit

• National Museum of Iraq (المتحف العراقي). Covering the history of Mesopotamian culture, this museum housed a huge collection before the Iraq War. Today, many pieces have been looted and the museum is only open on special occasions.  edit
• Umm al-Qura Mosque (جامع أم القرى). A mosque built to commemorate the 'victory' in the 1991 Gulf War, the minarets are shaped like barrels of guns and SCUD missils.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• chefcity, 14 ramdan st, manour (corner of 14 ramadan st). it is the hippest place in baghdad with food to suit all budgets, sadg and garden/open air dining, or 5* menu and service upstair, playground for childern. it is the place to be seen at, as SAT TV channels record their all the time!!  edit

[edit] Learn

[edit] Work

There are several ways to work in Iraq. Most obvious is the United States Military [2]. Next are the government contractors, such as KBR [3]. Many contractors hire personnel with prior military experience to return to Iraq. Persons with military experience or fluent in Arabic are especially sought after. Lastly, there are civillian government agencies in Iraq. USAID [4] and the United States Department of State [5] send their own personnel as well as contractors to Iraq.
The agencies above are all relevant for US citizens; citizens of other countries with a presence in Iraq can apply for work through the respective agencies in their home country.

WARNING: Employment arrangements are always made in your home country. Do not come to Iraq on your own to look for work. People have been killed attempting this.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Rugs and DVDs are available to buy. Inspect the quality of rugs carefully: Some are cheap Chinese made rugs, and many are extremely overpriced. Also, many DVDs - especially from street vendors - are bootlegs of varying quality.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Restaurants and cafés are notorious target for suicide bombers making eating out a quite dangerous activity. However, safety is much better among the restaurants inside the Green Zone. The Zone is also the place for finding American fast-food in the Middle East: Here, you may feast at Burger King, McDonald's, and Subway.

• chefcity, 14 ramadan st,mansour (corner 14 ramadan street). it is the hippest place in baghdad (probably the largest food mall in baghdad) with food to suit all budgets and tastes european and arabic, sadg and garden/open air dining, or 5* menu and service upstair, playground for childern. it is the place to be seen at, as SAT TV channels record their all the time!!  edit

[edit] Budget

• Bob Hope Burger Bar, (At Baghdad International Airport), ☎ +964-(0) -7903852457. One of the few american-style resturants outside the Green Zone.  edit

[edit] Mid-range

• Marsa Al-Zawariq, On Abu Nuwas Street, ☎ +964-(0)-5373228. A place famous for its kebab grills.  edit

[edit] Splurge

[edit][add listing] Drink

Yes, there is drinking during down times. The International Zone is truly international. Many organizations have their own bars, some open to all.

• RPC restaurant, Remington Park, Baghdad. A local Iraqi restaurant known for its gang affiliated activity among the RPC.  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Most organizations arrange their own accomodation inside the Green Zone. Sleeping in hotels in the proper city is always a risky due to bombings.

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

• Baghdad International Airport Hotel (فندق مطار بغداد الدولي), [6]. Just a three star hotel, but with quite a hefty price. Located on secure grounds at the airport and often used by people visiting on business. $225 for a standard room, lower rates when staying longer.  edit
• Hotel Ishtar, Saadoun Street, ☎ +964-(1)-8889500. A hotel in central Baghdad. From $50.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Masbah Plaza Hotel, (At Masbah Crossing in Karada district), ☎ +964-(1)-7193865 (masbahplazahotel@yahoo.com). Four star rated hotel, resturant on site. Offers free Wi-Fi.  edit

[edit] Contact

[edit] Stay safe

See also War zone safety
The easiest way to stay safe in Baghdad is not to go there in the first place, except for official reasons. Movement within Baghdad is difficult and entry into the International Zone, a.k.a. Green Zone, requires a pass or that you be accompanied by authorized officials. Iraq is a war zone and even if you're from a country which is part of the coalition, you will not be granted entry into the IZ without authorization. Most ex-pats and business travelers to Iraq hire a security detail which constantly monitors the security situation within Iraq and around Baghdad. Travel outside the IZ is extremely dangerous. Roadside and car bombs are detonated every day in Baghdad. Many Iraqis are armed. Markets and popular gathering places are frequent targets of bombers. As a foreigner you are more likely to be targeted for kidnapping. Kidnappings are often financially motivated. These threats are not restricted to Americans or women. You are also likely to be refused access to accommodation as Iraqis will fear being targeted for supporting the occupying forces.

[edit] Cope

[edit] Embassies

• Greece, Hay Babil, AL-Jadriyah Sector 913, Rd. 31/ Built 63, ☎ +9641 778 2273, Emergencies:+964 790 364 2046 (gremb.bag@mfa.gr, fax: +870-763262272).  edit

• Serbia, Jadriya Babil District Mahala 923, ZUKAK 35, Bldg 16, ☎ +9641 / 778-78-87 (fax: +9641 / 778-04-89).  edit

• United States, Al-Kindi St, International Zone, (irc-baghdad@state.gov; BaghdadACS@state.gov), [7]. Su-Th 8AM-4:30PM.  edit

[edit] Get out