Wasit Governorate facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wasit Governorate محافظة واسط
Governorate
Flag Seal
Country	Iraq
Capital	Kut
Area
• Total	17,153 km2 (6,623 sq mi)
Population  (2015)
• Total	1,149,059
HDI (2017)	0.656 medium

Wasit Governorate (pronounced WAH-sit) is a region in eastern Iraq. It is located south-east of Baghdad and shares a border with Iran. Before 1976, this area was called Kut Province.

The main city and capital of Wasit is Al-Kut. Other important cities include Al-Hai and Al-Suwaira. The governorate is also home to parts of the Mesopotamian Marshes. These are wetlands with areas like Shuwayja, Al-Attariyah, and Hor Aldelmj.

The name "Wasit" comes from an Arabic word meaning "middle." This is because the old city of Wasit was built along the Tigris River. It was located about halfway between Baghdad and Basra. The old city of Wasit was later abandoned when the Tigris River changed its path.

History of Wasit Governorate

The Wasit Governorate has a long and interesting past. It includes sites from ancient times and has seen important events in recent history.

Ancient History and Sumer

Near the town of Badra, you can find the site of an ancient city-state called Der. This city was part of Sumer, one of the earliest civilizations in the world. Sumer was known for its advanced cities and writing system.

Modern Conflicts and Events

Wasit Governorate was a place of intense fighting during the Iran–Iraq War. This war took place from 1980 to 1988. One major battle, known as the Battle of the Marshes, happened in this area.

In 2004, during the Iraq spring fighting of 2004, a group called the Mahdi Army briefly took control of the capital city, Kut. This happened from April 6 to April 16. Later, US forces regained control of the city.

People and Population

The Wasit Governorate is home to about 1.45 million people. Most of the people living here are Shia Arabs.

Communities in Wasit

The Mesopotamian Marshes have traditionally been home to many Marsh Arabs. These communities have a unique way of life, adapted to the wetlands. There are also Feyli Kurds living in the eastern town of Badra. A small community of Lurish people can be found east of Kut.

Economic Situation

As of 2007, about 10% of the people in Wasit Governorate were unemployed. This means they did not have jobs. The poverty rate was around 35%, indicating that many families faced economic challenges.

Local Government

The Wasit Governorate has its own local government to manage the region.

Leaders of Wasit

• Governor: Malik Khalaf is the main leader of the governorate. A governor is like a chief executive for the region.
• Deputy Governor: Ahmed Abdu Salam helps the governor in leading the region.

Districts of Wasit

The governorate is divided into several smaller areas called districts. These districts help manage local services and communities.

See also

In Spanish: Gobernación de Wasit para niños