The city of Baghdad dates back to at least the 8th century, and probably to pre-Islamic times. It is the largest city in Iraq. In the Arab world it is the second-largest city and also the second-largest city in southwest Asia.

In terms of maximum temperatures, Baghdad is one of the hottest cities in the world. The average maximum is as high as 44°C (111°F) in the summer from June to August, which is accompanied by scorching sunshine. Dust storms from the deserts to the west are a normal occurrence during the summer. Temperatures cross 50°C (122°F) in the day are by no means unheard of, and even at night temperatures in summer are rarely below 24°C (75°F). The winter is from December to February, the average temperatures during the winter range from 15 to 16°C (59 to 61°F). The average January minimum is around 4°C (39°F) but temperatures below 0°C (32°F) are not very surprising during this season. Though rainfall is scanty yet annual rainfall, almost entirely confined to the period from November to March, averages around 140 millimeters (5.5 in), but has been as high as 575 millimeters (23 in) and as low as 23 millimeters.

Traveling to Baghdad in summer is not a smart thing to do and it is highly recommended not to. The best time to visit Baghdad is in spring and winter. It is in this period that the climate remains enjoyable and cherishing.

Baghdad is located on a vast plain bisected by the Tigris River. Baghdad is separated half by the Tigris. The Eastern half and the Western half are known as 'Risafa' and 'Karkh' respectively. The land on which Baghdad is built is almost entirely flat and low-lying, being of alluvial origin due to the periodic large floods which have occurred on the river.

Baghdad delicacies has changed and developed since the time of the Babylonians, Sumerians and Assyrians. Influence of ancient civilizations particularly Greek and Persian cuisines are strongly felt in Baghdad delicacies. Gradually with the invasion of Islam and Arabs, the cuisine of Baghdad was finally enhanced to combine old and new sets of tastes. More over Baghdad being the center of Islamic world, Muslims from Africa, India, China, Indonesia or in other words Muslims from all over the world arrived in Iraq gave a new twist to its delicacies. With the Ottoman rule of Iraq, influences of Turkish cuisine also became incorporated into Iraqi recipes. Baghdad delicacies represent the multi ethnic-multicultural civilization at prevailed on the banks of Euphrates and Tigris

Main food crops of Baghdad include wheat, barley, rice, vegetables and dates. Vegetables include eggplant, okra, potatoes, and tomatoes. Beans such as chickpeas and lentils are also quite common. while lamb and beef; fish and poultry are common meats in Baghdad.

Until 2003 it had no political function. It was on April 2003, the U.S. controlled Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) began the process of creating new functions. Before that Baghdad had 89 official neighborhoods within 9 districts. These official subdivisions of the city served as administrative centers for the delivery of municipal services. The process of CPA initially focused on the election of neighborhood councils in the official neighborhoods, elected by neighborhood caucuses.
Baghdad is the seat of both the national and provincial government as well as home to many government offices and institutions. Before the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003, the city itself was governed by a mayor, who was appointed by the president.

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