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Karbala

Karbala · كربلاء

City overview

Karbala is a governorate capital in central Iraq. Religious buildings and surrounding streets structure its centre, while the wider governorate includes arid land, lakes and historic sites. Urban residents, provincial population and event attendance are different statistical populations. Markets, neighbourhoods, transport and services complement the shrine and pilgrimage perspective.

Bahr Alwatifi · 2020-11-18 · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Imam Husayn Shrine, Karbala

1 / 1 · Imam Husayn Shrine, Karbala

Bahr Alwatifi · 2020-11-18 · Read original · CC BY-SA 4.0

Display crop only; original file unchanged

City facts

Population

784,219people

2024-11-25 census · City / urban centre

2024 census urban scope; CityPopulation compilation of Iraqi statistics, not governorate population.

Sources & licences · 1

Area

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No city release with verified boundary and year found; provincial or national values are not substituted.

GDP · current US dollars

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No city release with verified boundary and year found; provincial or national values are not substituted.

GDP per capita · current US dollars

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No city release with verified boundary and year found; provincial or national values are not substituted.

City and governorate

Karbala is a governorate capital in central Iraq. Religious buildings and surrounding streets structure its centre, while the wider governorate includes arid land, lakes and historic sites. Urban residents, provincial population and event attendance are different statistical populations. Markets, neighbourhoods, transport and services complement the shrine and pilgrimage perspective.

Sources & licences · 3

Wikipedia contributors · Karbala

Coverage
Cited background only; see dated evidence capture. Current statistics are separate fact records.
Source publication date
—
Source read date
2026-10-13
Last content verification
2026-10-13T00:41:15.835726+00:00
Content revision
1379692858 2026-10-11T10:43:30Z
Licence
CC BY-SA 4.0
Author history

UNESCO World Heritage Centre · The Fortress of Al-Ukhaidar

Coverage
Cited background only; see dated evidence capture. Current statistics are separate fact records.
Source publication date
—
Source read date
2026-10-13
Last content verification
2026-10-13T01:01:47.504785+00:00
Content revision
—
Licence
Unverified

Historical event and religious memory

The event of Karbala in 680 is central to understanding Husayn’s shrine and Ashura and Arbaeen traditions. The event, later commemorative practices and standing buildings belong to different times. Repeated construction and restoration shaped the shrine; its present exterior is not all original. Interpretation identifies the religious tradition and variation in participation.

Sources & licences · 3

Wikipedia contributors · Karbala

Coverage
Cited background only; see dated evidence capture. Current statistics are separate fact records.
Source publication date
—
Source read date
2026-10-13
Last content verification
2026-10-13T00:41:15.835726+00:00
Content revision
1379692858 2026-10-11T10:43:30Z
Licence
CC BY-SA 4.0
Author history

UNESCO World Heritage Centre · The Fortress of Al-Ukhaidar

Coverage
Cited background only; see dated evidence capture. Current statistics are separate fact records.
Source publication date
—
Source read date
2026-10-13
Last content verification
2026-10-13T01:01:47.504785+00:00
Content revision
—
Licence
Unverified

Two shrines and public space

The Husayn and Abbas shrines are distinct complexes. Bayn al-Haramayn between them connects pedestrian circulation, gathering and central urban functions. Entrances, courtyards, routes and nearby shops matter together; a golden dome in a photograph needs a precise identification. These are active religious places, with historic imagery distinct from current management information.

Ukhaidir interior courtyard and arcades
Ukhaidir interior courtyard and arcades · 2011-11-27Aziz1005 ↗CC BY-SA 3.0
Sources & licences · 3

Wikipedia contributors · Karbala

Coverage
Cited background only; see dated evidence capture. Current statistics are separate fact records.
Source publication date
—
Source read date
2026-10-13
Last content verification
2026-10-13T00:41:15.835726+00:00
Content revision
1379692858 2026-10-11T10:43:30Z
Licence
CC BY-SA 4.0
Author history

UNESCO World Heritage Centre · The Fortress of Al-Ukhaidar

Coverage
Cited background only; see dated evidence capture. Current statistics are separate fact records.
Source publication date
—
Source read date
2026-10-13
Last content verification
2026-10-13T01:01:47.504785+00:00
Content revision
—
Licence
Unverified

Pilgrimage, food and service networks

Pilgrimage connects lodging, food, transport and community services, with event rhythms differing from ordinary days. Collective meals help reveal social relationships but are not year-round commercial restaurant provision. Attendance, hotel counts and prices require separate checks. Agriculture, transport and other provincial activities also matter; residents’ lives are not reducible to pilgrimage services.

Sources & licences · 3

Wikipedia contributors · Karbala

Coverage
Cited background only; see dated evidence capture. Current statistics are separate fact records.
Source publication date
—
Source read date
2026-10-13
Last content verification
2026-10-13T00:41:15.835726+00:00
Content revision
1379692858 2026-10-11T10:43:30Z
Licence
CC BY-SA 4.0
Author history

UNESCO World Heritage Centre · The Fortress of Al-Ukhaidar

Coverage
Cited background only; see dated evidence capture. Current statistics are separate fact records.
Source publication date
—
Source read date
2026-10-13
Last content verification
2026-10-13T01:01:47.504785+00:00
Content revision
—
Licence
Unverified

Fortress and lake in the wider setting

Ukhaidir offers an early Islamic palace and fortified-building case, while Lake Razzaza represents a different environmental setting. They are separate from the central shrines and are labelled as surrounding sites. Masonry, walls and courtyards can be compared with shrine architecture while preserving their own dates and uses. Historic lake images do not establish current water extent.

Sources & licences · 3

Wikipedia contributors · Karbala

Coverage
Cited background only; see dated evidence capture. Current statistics are separate fact records.
Source publication date
—
Source read date
2026-10-13
Last content verification
2026-10-13T00:41:15.835726+00:00
Content revision
1379692858 2026-10-11T10:43:30Z
Licence
CC BY-SA 4.0
Author history

UNESCO World Heritage Centre · The Fortress of Al-Ukhaidar

Coverage
Cited background only; see dated evidence capture. Current statistics are separate fact records.
Source publication date
—
Source read date
2026-10-13
Last content verification
2026-10-13T01:01:47.504785+00:00
Content revision
—
Licence
Unverified

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