Iraq's capital is BAGHDAD, which is a city located in the central-southern region of Iraq. It is the largest city in Iraq and has a population of over 8 million people. The city is divided into two parts: East BAGHDAD and West BAGHDAD. The name BAGHDAD is derived from the Persian word 'Bagh-dad' which means 'GOD's gift'. The city has been an important cultural and commercial center since the Abbasid Caliphate in the 8th century. It is also home to many important religious sites such as the Imam Husayn Shrine and the Al-Kadhimiya Mosque. The city is served by BAGHDAD International Airport and is connected to other major cities in Iraq by road and rail. The two crossword solutions for Iraq's capital are BAGDAD (6 letters) and BAGHDAD (7 letters).