population: 1.5 million

extension: 49,400 square kilometers

Museums

If you are in Basra and interested in visiting museums, I would suggest visiting the Basra Museum, which houses a collection of artifacts from ancient Mesopotamia. Additionally, you might want to consider visiting the nearby Kuwait National Museum or the Iraq Museum in Baghdad for further exploration of regional history and culture.

Food

Some of the most recommended and popular dishes to eat in Basra, according to local people, include:

1. Masgouf - grilled fish (usually carp or catfish) served with tamarind sauce, onions, and tomatoes.
2. Qeema - a spiced ground beef or lamb dish often served with rice.
3. Biryani - a spiced rice dish typically made with chicken or lamb and served with vegetables.
4. Ghouzi - a roasted lamb or goat dish stuffed with rice, nuts, and spices.
5. Samak el-Emirati - fried fish served with a spicy tomato sauce and crispy fried onions.

Additionally, Basra is known for its date palms and many date-based desserts, such as date cookies and syrupy sweets like kleicha and halwa.

Activities

Some fun activities that local people in Basra enjoy include:

1. Visiting the Shatt Al-Arab riverfront for a picnic or boat ride.
2. Exploring the historic Old City, which has traditional markets, cafes, and restaurants.
3. Attending a game of traditional Iraqi sport called "Mheibes", which is played with sticks and stones.
4. Enjoying local delicacies such as "Masgouf" (grilled fish) or "Biryani" (spiced rice with meat).
5. Watching a performance at the Basra International Theater Festival, which takes place annually in March/April.