Al Anbar Province facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Al Anbar Province
Arabic: محافظة الأنبار
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Governorate
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| Country | Iraq |
| Capital | Ramadi |
| Area | |
| • Total | 138,501 km2 (53,476 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | Unknown |
| Main language(s) | Arabic |
Al Anbar (Arabic: الأنبار; al-’Anbār), also called Anbar, is a large region in western Iraq. It is the biggest province in Iraq by land area. It shares borders with Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
Most people living in Al Anbar are Sunni Muslim Arabs. The capital city of Al Anbar is Ramadi.
The name of the province, ’Anbār, comes from an Arabic word meaning "granaries". This region was once a very important trading place. It was a main stop for goods on the western borders of the Lakhmid Kingdom. A famous Islamic scholar named Abu Hanifa, who helped create one of the main Sunni schools of thought, is connected to this region.
Before 1976, the province was known as Ramadi. Even earlier, before 1962, it was called Dulaim.
Contents
People of Al Anbar
Most of the people who live in Al Anbar are Sunni Muslims. Many of them belong to the Dulaim tribe.
Geography of Al Anbar
The Euphrates River flows through Al Anbar. It runs diagonally from the north to the southeast. The river passes through six of the province's eight main areas.
These areas include Al-Qa'im, Anah, Haditha, Hīt, Ramadi, and Fallujah. The districts of Abu Ghraib and Ar Rutba cover a large desert area in the southwest of the province.
Weapons in Al Anbar
It is common for people in Al Anbar to own weapons. Reports suggest there are many firearms in the province. For members of the Dulaim tribe, it is a tradition to keep weapons at home.
History of Al Anbar
The city of Fallujah is located in Al Anbar. During the Iraq War, this province saw many important events. There was strong opposition to American forces here.
Cities and Population
The exact number of people living in Al Anbar is not fully known. Different reports have shown varying numbers over the years.
According to statistics from 1999, there were about 1.5 million people in seven major cities. By 2008, some estimates suggested the population was around 2.4 million.
The UN estimated in 2003 that Al Anbar had about 1.2 million people. However, the governor of Al Anbar, Mamoun Sami Rashid Alwani, said these numbers were too low. He believed the population was closer to 3 million, as the UN statistics did not include all cities and towns.
After the occupation of Iraq, the population of Al Anbar province grew. Many Sunni people moved there from Baghdad and southern Iraq. This added more than a million people to the province. However, some areas like Fallujah and Ramadi saw their populations decrease.
Important Cities in Al Anbar
Here are some of the most important cities and towns in Al Anbar:
- Ramadi (about 445,000 people) — This is the capital city of Al Anbar.
- Fallujah (about 425,000 people)
- Hit (about 150,000 people)
- Al-Qaim (about 105,000 people)
- Haditha (about 100,000 people)
- Abu Ghraib (between 750,000 and 1.5 million people)
- Anah
- Rawah (about 25,000 people)
- Kabisa
- Anbar
- Al Baghdadi
- Al-Nukhaib
- Akashat
- Tarbil
- Husaibah Al Sharqiah
- Amiriyah Fallujah (about 40,000 people)
- Saqulauiah
- Jabhah
- Al Sharqiah
- Al Waleed
- Sa'dah
- Al Saqrh
- Al Mamorha
- Al Enaimih
- Al Rummaneh
- Al Karblah
- Baroana (about 20,000 people)
- Al Khaldiya
- Al Habanyah
- Al Karmah
- Al Quqa'
- Al Haqlaniyah
- Al Rahaliyah
- Ar Rutba
Images for kids
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Aerial view of the Euphrates River in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar governorate.
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The main cities of Al Anbar
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Abandoned Iraqi Air Force FT-7 aircraft in front of the Al Asad Airbase ATC Tower
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US Marines patrol along the Euphrates River in Anbar Province
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See also
In Spanish: Gobernación de Ambar para niños
