Iraq: List of the Largest Cities by Population

ancient landmarks in Iraq

1. Baghdad – 6,719,500

Iraq’s capital and largest city; center of government, commerce, and culture.


2. Mosul – 1,361,800

Ancient city on the Tigris River near the ruins of Nineveh.


3. Basra – 1,340,800

Major southern port and gateway to the Persian Gulf.


4. Kirkuk – 972,300

Multi-ethnic oil city inhabited by Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen.


5. Erbil – 879,100

Capital of Kurdistan Region; features a millennia-old citadel.


6. Najaf – 747,300

Shia holy city with the Imam Ali Shrine and Wadi-us-Salaam cemetery.


7. Karbala – 711,500

Site of the Battle of Karbala; home to major holy Shia shrines.


8. Sulaymaniyah – 676,500

Kurdish cultural hub known for arts, literature, and mountain surroundings.


9. Nasiriyah – 558,400

Ancient southern city near the marshes and ruins of Ur.


10. Amarah – 527,500

Riverfront center of agriculture and trade in Maysan province.


11. Hillah – 455,700

Babylonian-era city near the ruins of ancient Babylon.


12. Diwaniyah – 403,800

Provincial capital and modest agricultural centre.


13. Kut – 389,400

Located along the Tigris; important agricultural and trade town.


14. Dohuk – 340,900

Kurdish Region city set among hills with regional market activity.


15. Zubayr – 300,800

Suburban Basra city tied strongly to the oil industry.


16. Baqubah – 279,100

Diyala governorate capital; strategic agricultural and trade hub.


17. Fallujah – 250,900

Historic city in Anbar province with both ancient and modern significance.


18. Ramadi – 223,500

Anbar’s provincial capital and a central crossroads for trade.


19. Samawah – 221,700

Oasis town on the Euphrates in Muthanna; noted for date palms.


20. Zakho – 211,900

Border city near Turkey; a center for cross-border markets.


21. Abu al-Khaseeb – 203,200

Town near Basra known for its marshland-dwelling community.


22. Al‑Shatrah – 182,200

Southern city in Dhi Qar governorate near marshlands.


23. Tal Afar – 172,400

Ethnically mixed historic town in Nineveh province.


24. Kufa – 171,300

Historical city near Najaf; key early Islamic center.


25. Kalar – 145,200

Kurdish city in Sulaymaniyah governorate amid rolling hills.


26. Samarra – 144,800

Historical city famous for its Great Mosque and spiral minaret.


27. Shatt al‑Arab – 133,000

Town along the waterway formed by the Tigris and Euphrates.


28. Soran – 131,800

Mountainous Kurdish town and regional gateway.


29. Suq al‑Shuyukh – 131,600

Southern Dhi Qar market town near marsh-area communities.


30. Al‑Qurnah – 126,400

Historic confluence of Tigris and Euphrates—claimed Garden of Eden site.


31. Al‑Wahda (Baghdad suburb) – 110,800

District suburb just southwest of central Baghdad.


32. Tikrit – 109,000

Saladin province city on the Tigris and birthplace of Saddam Hussein.


33. Tuz Khurmatu – 102,600

Ethnically diverse town in Saladin governorate.


34. Al‑Mahmudiyah – 101,400

Baghdad governorate town south of Baghdad on the Euphrates.


35. Iskandariya – 100,600

Historical town in Babil governorate; near ancient Babylon.

The above is subject to change.

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