Ahwar of Southern Iraq
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
The ruins of Ur, with the Ziggurat of Ur visible in the background | |
Interactive map of Ahwar of Southern Iraq | |
| Official name | The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities |
| Location | Iraq |
| Includes | 4 marshes and 3 cities |
| Criteria | Mixed: (iii), (v), (ix), (x) |
| Reference | 1481 |
| Inscription | 2016 (40th Session) |
| Area | 211,544 ha (816.78 sq mi) |
| Buffer zone | 209,321 ha (808.19 sq mi) |
| Coordinates | 31°33′44″N 47°39′28″E / 31.562222°N 47.657778°E |
Ahwar of Southern Iraq Location of Ahwar of Southern Iraq in Iraq | |
The Ahwar of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Southern Iraq sometimes called the "Garden of Eden" by Biblical scholars. It consists of marshlands and ancient cities sustained by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
The Ahwar of Southern Iraq currently consists of seven sites, including three cities of Sumerian origin and four wetland areas of the Mesopotamian Marshes:
- Huwaizah Marshes
- Central Marshes
- East Hammar Marshes
- West Hammar Marshes
- Uruk Archaeological City
- Ur Archaeological City
- Tell Eridu Archaeological Site