Wasit Governorate

Wasit Governorate
محافظة واسط
Governorate
Flag of Wasit Governorate
Flag
Official seal of Wasit Governorate
Seal
Location of Wasit Governorate
Coordinates: 32°40′N 45°45′E / 32.667°N 45.750°E / 32.667; 45.750
Country Iraq
CapitalKut
GovernorMohammed Jameel al-Miyahi
Area
[1]
 • Total
17,153 km2 (6,623 sq mi)
Population
 (2015)[1]
 • Total
1,149,059
HDI (2021)0.656[2]
medium

Wasit Governorate (Arabic: واسط, romanized: Wāsit) is a governorate in eastern Iraq, south-east of Baghdad and bordering Iran. Prior to 1976 it was known as Kut Province. Major cities include the capital Al-Kut, Al-Hai and Al-Suwaira. The governorate contains the Mesopotamian Marshes of Shuwayja, Al-Attariyah, and Hor Aldelmj. Its name comes from the Arabic word meaning "middle", as the former city of Wasit lay along the Tigris about midway between Baghdad and Basra. Wasit city was abandoned after the Tigris shifted course.

History

Further information: History of Sumer

The ancient Sumerian city-state of Der is located near the town of Badra.

The governorate experienced heavy fighting in the Iran–Iraq War, specifically the Battle of the Marshes.

During the Iraq spring fighting of 2004, the Mahdi Army briefly took control of the capital Kut, from April 6 to April 16, before being defeated by US forces.

Demographics

The population is approximately 1,450,000. The majority are Shia Arabs. The marshes have traditionally been home to many Marsh Arabs. There are also Feyli Kurds in the eastern town of Badra. A small Feyli Kurd community exists east of Kut.[1]

As of 2007, the unemployment rate is 10% and the poverty rate 35%.[3]

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1977 415,100—    
1987 564,670+3.13%
1997 783,614+3.33%
2009 1,150,079+3.25%
2018 1,378,723+2.04%
Source: Citypopulation[4]

Provincial government

  • Governor: Malik Khalaf[5]
  • Deputy Governor: Ahmed Abdu Salam[6]

Districts

References

  1. ^ a b c "Wassit Governorate Profile" (PDF). NGO Coordination Committee for Iraq (NCCI). December 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  3. ^ "IAU - Iraq Information Portal (WASSIT)". www.iau-iraq.org. Archived from the original on 2015-07-11.
  4. ^ "Population of Governorates". City Population.
  5. ^ Mohammed, Layla (1 February 2015). "New governor of Wasit assumes responsibility". Iraqi News. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  6. ^ Bullinger, James (November 2006). "Al-Aziziyah Primary Healthcare Clinic Opening Holds Hope for Iraqi People" (PDF). Southern Views. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 October 2007. Retrieved 23 August 2019.


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