This guide takes you behind the headlines into the real life of an 8-million-person city, with a focus on what matters to an Al-Turath University student in the Mansour district. Baghdad is not a passing city — it is a chapter of a civilization that lasted 14 centuries.
Basic Information
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Population | ~8 million people (city) / ~9.8 million (governorate) |
| Area | 4,555 km² |
| Geographical aspect of the University | Karkh (Western side of the Tigris) — Al-Mansour neighborhood |
| Currency | Iraqi Dinar (IQD) — 1 USD ≈ 1,300 IQD |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (no daylight saving) |
| Languages | Arabic official + Kurdish in Kurdistan Region |
| Main airport | Baghdad International Airport (BGW) — only ~5 km away from Al-Turath University |
| Predominant religion | Islam (Sunni + Shia) + Christians + other religions |
Tigris River — Heart of Baghdad
The Tigris flows 10 km within Baghdad, connected by 13 bridges across its banks. The Corniche (Abu Nawas Street) on the east bank is famous for masgouf fish restaurants.
Climate — Pack for the Season
| Season | Months | Temperature | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 🌸 | March – May | 18-35°C | Moderate, sometimes sandstorms |
| Summer ☀️ | June – August | 35-44°C (may reach 50°C) | Very hot, air conditioning is essential. |
| Autumn 🍂 | September – November | 18-32°C | Pleasant, best for outdoor activities |
| Winter ❄️ | December – February | 5-19°C | Cool, limited rainfall (~150mm/year) |
Most Famous Baghdad Landmarks
If you're going to live in Baghdad, these are the places you'll visit and remember:
Transportation in Baghdad
| Mode | Estimated price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 📱 Careem app | $3 – $10/trip | Most used, trip within Al-Mansour $2-3 |
| 📱 Lyft / Bolt app | $2 – $8/trip | Competitive, sometimes cheaper |
| 🚖 Traditional yellow taxi | $2 – $8/trip | Negotiate the price before riding |
| 🚌 Public transport line "Al-Allawi" | $0.30 – $1 | It passes in front of the University, reaching Al-Kadhimiya, Al-Atifiya, and Al-Shaljiya. |
| 🚗 Private taxi (driver) | $25 – $50/day | For long trips between cities |
| 🛻 Car rental | $30 – $60/day | Requires an international driving license |
Health facilities near Al-Mansour
- Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital — Governmental, 3-4 km, comprehensive specialties
- Al-Hayat Private Hospital — In Al-Mansour itself, special care
- Al-Salam National Hospital — Near Al-Mansour, integrated services
- Ibn Sina Teaching Hospital — Near Al-Mansour, governmental
For specialized cases (Heart diseases, Tumors): Medical City in Bab Al-Mu'azzam (Eastern side, 8-10 km).
Daily Services
📞 Telecom companies
- Zain Iraq: Largest network, excellent coverage in Al-Mansour
- Asiacell: National coverage, fast data
- Korek Telecom: Strong competitor
SIM card without package: $5 – $10. Monthly package (calls + 50GB): $15 – $25.
🏦 Banking Services
- Opening an account requires official residency.
- Banks in Al-Mansour: Bank of Baghdad, Al-Rafidain, Al-Rasheed, International Development, Al-Qabidh, Gulf Commercial
- E-wallets ZainCash، AsiaHawala، Qi Card
- International Transfers Western Union، MoneyGram
🍽️ Food and Restaurants
- Meal at a local popular restaurant: $3 – $6
- Meal at a mid-range restaurant $8 – $15
- Meal at a fine restaurant in Al-Mansour: $20 – $40
- Fruits and vegetables (from Al-Mansour market): $0.50 – $2/kg
Al-Mansour has international restaurants: Italian, Turkish, Lebanese, Chinese, in addition to traditional Iraqi.
Safety & Culture
Emergency Numbers
- Police 104
- Ambulance 122
- Fire/Civil Defense: 115
Important Social Etiquette
- Dress Code Dress modestly in public places. Women: cover shoulders and knees (hijab is not required for non-Muslim women).
- Ramadan Do not eat or drink in public places during the day out of respect for those who are fasting.
- Mosques Remove shoes. Women cover their hair upon entry.
- Greetings Handshakes are common among men. With women: wait for her to initiate.
- Hospitality Accepting tea/coffee is a sign of respect.
- Photography Avoid photographing government and military facilities and checkpoints.
Baghdad Landmarks & Leisure
🌳 Al-Zawra Park
The largest public park in Baghdad, it includes a zoo + a lake + children's games + restaurants. It is only 4 km away from Al-Turath University, an ideal family destination for the weekend.
📚 Al-Mutanabbi Street
Baghdad's cultural heart, the center for books and writers. Every Friday, a famous book market is held, bringing together intellectuals, poets, and researchers. It is ~10 km away from Al-Mansour (on the East side).
Comprehensive list of Baghdad's landmarks
- Al-Mutanabbi Street — Book Center (10 km), open every Friday
- Abu Nuwas Street — Tigris Corniche, Masgouf Fish (8 km)
- The Iraqi Museum — In Alawi Al-Hilla, Babylonian and Sumerian artifacts (5 km)
- Al-Qishla — Historic Ottoman building in Al-Rusafa (10 km)
- Al-Rashid Street — The heart of old Baghdad (12 km)
- Al-Mansour Mall — Baghdad's largest mall, inside Al-Mansour (1.5 km from the University)
- Al-Mustansiriya School — The oldest university in the Islamic world (10 km)
- Lake Habbaniyah — Weekend resort (90 km west of Baghdad)
Al-Turath University Location in Baghdad
the University is located in the neighborhood of Mansour — One of Baghdad's most prestigious and safest neighborhoods (home to major embassies), on Al-Naqabat Street. It is away from:
- Baghdad International Airport (BGW): ~5 km (10-15 minutes)
- Central Baghdad: 7-10 km (20-30 minutes)
- The Green Zone: 8 km (20 minutes)
- Al-Mutanabbi Street: 10 km (30 minutes)
- Medical City: 9 km (25 minutes)
- Habbaniyah Lake: 90 km (90 minutes)
📍 Full Address: Baghdad · Al-Mansour · Al-Naqabat Street
Baghdad photos from Wikimedia Commons under CC license.