For years, we heard these names mentioned on the nightly news or read them on the front pages of newspapers: Baghdad, Balad, Basra, Fallujah, Tikrit and Mosul – yes, all cities in Iraq. While furrylittlegnome was glued to the television and scoured the internet for any news during OIF2 (Operation Iraqi Freedom 2) in 2004, she did not realize how one part of Iraq could remain relatively peaceful and calm…we can thank FLG’s brother for the following photos…
Welcome to the ancient city of Babylon. Located fifty miles south of Baghdad and sitting on the Euphrates River, this city is one of the oldest in the world as it dates back to almost 2,000 years BC. 
To be frank, gnome cannot even begin to go into the history of this ancient city that was once part of Mesopotamia. There is just too much. Also, it is a bit confusing. We shall stick with the photos.
Procession Street was the main thruway. It was wide and walled and paved with bricks and bitumen that can be seen in the picture below.
Saddam Hussein decided he wanted a summer palace, so in 1993, he started construction
on top of the ruins.
Below are more photos from the ancient city –
And, of course, a visit to one of the seven wonders of the world would not be complete without a stop at the gift shop!
furrylittlegnome 
Maps have always fascinated me. It is unfortunate though that as new leaders evolve that they believe they have the right to destroy history in order to preserve their own.
Furrylittlegnome totally agrees with you!