Basra (Arabic:البصرة;Al Baṣrah) is the third largestcity ofIraq with a population of about 2,600,000 (2003). It is the country's mainport. Baṣra played an important role in earlyMuslim history, and it was the first city built inIslam 14 A.H (afterHijra)
The city lies at theShatt al-Arab waterway near thePersian Gulf,55 kilometres (34mi) from the Persian Gulf and545 kilometres (339mi) fromBaghdad, Iraq's capital and largest city.
