Al-Wasit Governorate is one of the eighteen governorates in Iraq, situated in the eastern part of the country. It is bordered by Iran to the east, and by the governorates of Diyala, Baghdad, and Babil to the north, west, and south respectively.
The governorate was previously known as Kut Province until 1976, and its capital is Al-Kut, which is located about 160 km southeast of Baghdad. Other major cities in the governorate include Al-Hai and Al-Suwaira.
The province is rich in cultural and historical heritage, and it contains several ancient sites and landmarks, including the ruins of the ancient city of Der, which is located near the town of Badra. In addition, the governorate is home to the Mesopotamian Marshes, which are a unique ecosystem that consists of a network of wetlands and lakes. The marshes are located in the southern part of the governorate, and they cover an area of around 20,000 square kilometers.
The marshes are home to a wide range of plant and animal species, including several endangered ones, and they support the livelihoods of thousands of local communities who depend on fishing, farming, and other activities.
The name of the governorate comes from the Arabic word “wasat”, which means “middle”, as the former city of Wasit used to be located along the Tigris River about halfway between Baghdad and Basra. However, the city was abandoned after the Tigris River changed its course, and today the governorate’s major cities are situated along the main highways and waterways that connect it to other parts of Iraq and the region.
Kuf is a city that is situated in a sharp “U” bend of the Tigris River, on the opposite side of the junction where the Shatt al-Gharraf branches off from the Tigris. The city is almost like an island, but it’s still connected to the shore by a narrow strip of land.
Kut has been an important center of the carpet trade in the region for centuries. The city’s strategic location made it an ideal location for traders to transport their goods to other parts of the region. The surrounding area of Kut is highly fertile and is known for cereal grain cultivation. The city itself has many gardens, orchards, and date palms that add to its natural beauty. The locals take great pride in their agricultural heritage and their ability to produce high-quality crops.
The Baghdad Nuclear Research Facility, which was looted after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, is located near Kut. The facility was once a symbol of Iraq’s scientific and technological progress, but it has since been abandoned and now serves as a reminder of the country’s troubled past.
The Kut Barrage, built in the 1930s, is situated in the city and was constructed to supply irrigation water to the surrounding areas. The barrage contains a lock that enables boats to move up and down the Tigris. Its primary objective is to maintain a high-water level in the Tigris, which is required for the Gharraf irrigation canal to function correctly. The canal is an important source of water for the region, and it helps to irrigate thousands of hectares of farmland. The barrage also supports a road that serves as a vital link between the eastern and western parts of the city.