Hillah, Administrative center in central Iraq
Hillah is an administrative center in Babylon Governorate, central Iraq, spread along both sides of a waterway that branches from the Euphrates. Palm landscapes and farmland surround the settlement, which serves as a regional hub for trade and administration.
The settlement emerged in the 12th century when builders used bricks from the ruins of ancient Babylon to construct new structures. Over the following centuries, the place developed into a center of Islamic learning and attracted theologians and writers.
The name comes from an Arabic term meaning beautiful area, reflecting how settlers saw the riverside location when they arrived. Markets still follow traditional patterns, with vendors arranging goods in open-air stalls near the waterfront.
The settlement lies roughly 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Baghdad and is reachable by road and rail connections. Visitors find access to nearby archaeological sites here and can explore the riverside landscape along the waterways.
A barrage from the early 20th century redirects water from the Euphrates into the local waterway, supplying irrigation to surrounding fields. This structure has shaped the agriculture of the region for over a century and enables the cultivation of grain and date palms.
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