Al-Hillah is a city in central Iraq on the river Euphrates, 100 km (62 miles) south of Baghdad, with an estimated population of 364,700 in 1998. It is the capital of Babil province and is located near the ancient cities of Babylon, Borsippa and Kish. It is situated in a predominantly agricultural region which is extensively irrigated with water tapped from the river, producing a wide range of cereals, fruit and textiles.
The city was once a major center of Islamic scholarship and education. The tomb of the Jewish prophet Ezekiel is reputed to be located in a nearby village. The city was established in 1101. It became a major administrative centre during the rule of the Ottoman and British Empires. It saw heavy fighting in 1920 during an uprising against the British, when 300 men of the Manchester Regiment were apparently defeated in the city. |
KOREAN
CHINESE
JAPANESE
SPANISH
GERMAN
FRENCH
ITALIAN
DUTCH
PORTUGUESE
RUSSIAN