About Diyala Governorate

Diyala Governorate

Diyala Governorate consists of six districts: Baqubah (the capital), Al-Muqdadiyah, Al-Khalis, Khanaqin, and Baladrooz, each with several sub-districts. The population is around 1,500,000 people, representing a mosaic of Iraq’s diverse communities. Formal education in Diyala began in the early 20th century, as it hosted one of Iraq’s oldest teacher training schools. It has provided the country with thousands of teachers and educators, and it was also home to old sports fields, libraries, scouting camps, and Diyala Cinema, which was established in 1946. The governorate has hundreds of primary and secondary schools, staffed by qualified teachers. Most students pursue their higher education at the University of Diyala or other Iraqi universities. The University of Diyala welcomes students from across Iraq through the Ministry of Higher Education’s central admission system.

A Journey of 5,000 Years of History

Diyala Governorate holds great historical importance, having been home to major civilizations such as the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Mongols, Ottomans, and the British. Its strategic geographic location made it a key point along the Silk Road. It contains archaeological mounds from various eras such as Hassuna, Samarra, Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria. Among its most famous archaeological sites are Khafaji, Tell Asmar, and Tell Agrab, where unique Sumerian temples and statues were discovered.

Cultural and Artistic Movement in Diyala

Diyala Governorate has produced many prominent cultural figures such as Mustafa Jawad, Abdul-Wahab Al-Bayati, Zuhair Ahmed Al-Qaisi, Hussein Murad, and Suleiman Al-Bakri. In theatre and cinema, artists such as Kamel Al-Azzawi and Muthanna Al-Bahrazi have excelled, while in fine arts, notable figures include Salman Dawood Al-Khalaf, Adham Ibrahim, Ismail Khayat, Nazem Al-Jubouri, and Munir Al-Obaidi.