Karbala is a major city situated in central Iraq and serves as the capital of the Karbala Governorate. It is the second-largest city in the central region of the country, following Baghdad, with an estimated population of approximately 800,000 people as of 2024.
Geographically, the city is located a few miles east of Lake Milh, which is also known as Razzaza Lake. Karbala is recognized as one of the primary political, spiritual, and cultural hubs of Shia Islam.