The functional region of Basrah city

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is; to study some significant aspects of Basrah Region, which it delimited by current administrative limits of Basrah Province (Muhafadha). It is the south castern region of Iraq, located at the northern head of the Arab Gulf. Basrah Region is Iraq's only coastal area, and, thus, all national ports and oil terminals, are found hero. The Region also contains more than 80% of the local reserves, of oil and natural gas in the whole country which one of the most important countries in this field. Because of Basrah Region's location and its rich resources of oil and gas. it has been given priority for the establishment of modern industries, including several largo publicly owned factories, such as oil refining, chemicals and petro chemicals, iron and steel and paper production and processing. Consequently, because of the available employment opportunities in Basrah Region, it has been the second most important in-migration region In Iraq, and Basrah City, the regional capital, has become the second largest city in the country. This city is the key central city in the Region, playing a crucial regional role. It imposes its influence over various socio-economic relations covering a large surrounding area, which in some cases extend beyond the administrative region of Basrah, Basrah Region has witnessed great socio-economic changes over the past thirty years. These can he attributed above all to the oil revenues in Iraq which have Increased greatly since the early 1950's. However, the most significant changes have taken place in Basrah Region since the early 1970's because of the great increase in oil revenues during that decade. Those changes are examined in this study, particularly those which have taken place In significant sectors such as industry agriculture, transport, social services. and the demographic and settlerr.enl patterns. In addition, because of the great importance of Basrah City in the Region, its urban characteristics and regional relationships are also considered in this study.