Location 

Baghdad is located in present day Iraq, on the Tigris River. Because of Baghdad's strategic location on the Tigris-Euphrates River System and on the Silk Road trade routes, the city became a prominent trading center. Baghdad's location resulted in the spread of customs (such as faith, innovations, and goods) to its people and society.

COMMERCE 

The use of camels and a common language (Arabic) made trade much easier for Baghdad. Merchants traveled by camel to transport a large quantity of goods to other regions such as India, Persia, Central Asia, China, Turkey, Arabia, and the Mediterranean. Merchants also sometimes traveled to the empires in West Africa, Russia and Scandinavia. Livestock was prominent in the area, so they were used to produce goods or they were traded.Baghdad exported many goods such as dates, rice, grain, exotic food, gold, silver, copper, iron, leather, textiles, paper, metal goods, perfumes, and livestock. Baghdad also became one of the biggest empires to produce and sell paper (next to China).

culture and society

Islam played a major role in the society of post-classical Baghdad, because the city itself was the center of the Islamic faith. Islam affected the government (Shariah Law)m as well as the social aspects of Baghdad (women's rights, merchants being of high importance, etc.) Although the women of Baghdad had more freedoms than the women of other Islamic regions, there were still a substantial amount of restrictions placed upon them (unlike men, who had no restrictions whatsoever). Women were constantly supervised by men (no matter where they were) because the men wanted to make sure they remained faithful to their husbands. Women had male escorts that followed them throughout their daily activities to make sure they were not having any interactions with other men (that were not their husbands) in Baghdad. The king had multiple wives and would place them in a harem (an isolated living space guarded by men at all times). The women were rarely let out. (Fun fact: the king's wives were chosen by their ability to entertain (sing, dance, tell stories, etc.)) The Islamic faith made it possible for the men to have even more control over the women, thus they were forced to wear veils. 

Religious influences

Because the city itself was created to govern and bring success to the Islamic world, the city religiously influenced itself and others. Through trade, merchants brought their faith to other regions (along the Silk Road). Law systems, such as Shariah Law, were put into place by Islamic leaders in Baghdad. These laws dictated everything from politics, to economics, to the social lives of the people.

REASONS FOR GROWTH

The city of Baghdad grew because of its high religious importance. Baghdad was created for Islam, thus it spread the religion. Islam was mostly diffused by the merchants traveling along the silk road. Baghdad was also a major trading center, so the coming and going of merchants (who also spread the religion) into the city was a great factor for the economy. Merchants traveled from near and far to Baghdad for its precious goods such as perfumes, exotic foods, etc.

innovations

The location of post classical Baghdad was the basis for many of its improvements. Because the city was located nearly on the Tigris River, the people of Baghdad used the river for many technologies such as the windmill. Baghdad's location on the Silk Road trade routes assisted its innovations in its transportation and military. The use of the silk trade routes made it much quicker for the military to get to other regions. Also, merchants began to domesticate the camel for their long journeys across the dessert. The camel was much more efficient than other livestock (example: the horse) because it had adapted to the dry climate and was able to live without water for long periods of time. 

CITATIONS

INFORMATION:
Petracca, Towey, and Weller. "Period40910 - Baghdad - Petracca, Towey, Weller."Period40910 - Baghdad - Petracca, Towey, Weller. Wikispaces.com, n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2013.
Perry, Charles. "Saudi Aramco World : Cooking with the Caliphs." Saudi Aramco World : Cooking with the Caliphs. Saudi Aramaco World, Aug. 2006. Web. 16 Oct. 2013.
Chiofalo, Kallinikos, and O'Callaghan. "Period40910 - Baghdad- Chiofalo, Kallinikos, O'Callaghan." Period40910 - Baghdad- Chiofalo, Kallinikos, O'Callaghan. Wikispaces.com, n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2013.
"Saudi Aramco World : The Splendid Sultan." Saudi Aramco World : The Splendid Sultan. Saudi Aramco World, n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2013.

PICTURES:
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National Geographic. "Needle." [Online image] 12 October 2013. <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/05/photogalleries/salt/images/primary/needle.jpg>.
. "Rice Wisdom." [Online image] 11 October 2013. <http://ricewisdom.org/images/rice-wisdom-004-home.jpg>.
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. "Map of Iraq." [Online image] 11 October 2013. <http://www.yourchildlearns.com/online-atlas/images/map-of-iraq.gif>.
. "Silk Road Map." [Online image] 11 October 2013. <http://silkroadexpress.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/silk-road-map.jpg>.
. "Pissaro." [Online image] 11 October 2013. <http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2871/232/400/pissaro43.JPG>.