Babylon, one of the largest cities of the ancient world, was located in which modern-day country?

Babylon was founded around 2300 BCE on the Euphrates River in what is now Iraq. The site of the ancient city is approximately 50 miles (80km) south of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. For nearly 2,000 years, Babylon was the main city in the ancient civilization of Mesopotamia.

The ancient city of Babylon thrived under the rule of Hammurabi (1810-1750 BCE), who made it one of the most powerful cities in the world. The ruler issued the 'Hammurabi Code', which was inscribed in stone and dictated how the city should be run. Under Hammurabi's rule, Babylon became a major trading centre and was home to 200,000 residents at its peak. The city was also known for its contributions to art, science, music, and literature.

Within the city were gardens, palaces and towers, such as a ziggurat that resembled a pyramid. The ziggurat was a holy place, which the Mesopotamians believed connected heaven and earth. The ziggurat at Babylon was called 'Etemenanki', which means 'House of the foundation of heaven and earth' in Sumerian, one of the languages spoken in Babylon.

Today, all that remains of Babylon is an archeological site containing the ruins of the city. Babylon was made a World Heritage site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 2019.