Natural History Museum - متحف التاريخ الطبيعي Travel Guide

The Natural History Museum of Basrah, established in 1972, is a key scientific, cultural, and tourist center dedicated to showcasing the natural history of the Basrah Governorate. The museum's exhibits represent the diverse environments of the region, including marine, riverine, marsh, plain, and desert ecosystems. The museum features several exhibition halls displaying mummified natural specimens of mammals, birds, fish, and other marine animals, as well as insects and geological samples of rocks and soils. A highlight is the 12-meter-long skeleton of a whale collected from the Arabian Gulf, which led to the museum being known locally as the Whale Museum. The museum also has a hall dedicated to the marshlands, reflecting the unique plant and animal species of this environment.The original museum was located on the Shatt al-Arab waterfront but was vandalized and demolished in 2003 during the invasion of Iraq. The museum was rebuilt in 2013 in the Al-Baradiya area, overlooking the Shatt Al-Arab. The museum is open daily from 9 AM to 9 PM and provides an educational experience for nature enthusiasts and families.