Imagine living on an island you built yourself - out of reeds. The Ma'dan people of the Iraqi marshes have done exactly this for thousands of years. They cut the thick marsh reeds, bundle them together, and weave and stack them into floating platforms that become their homes, guest houses, and animal pens - all on the water.
The marshes are home to an amazing variety of wildlife. Water buffalo wade through the shallows, used by marsh families for milk and to help with daily tasks. Huge flocks of birds fill the sky - the marshes are one of the most important stopping points in the world for birds migrating between Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The tall papyrus-like reeds that fill the marshes are incredibly useful. Ma'dan craftspeople use them to build houses, boats, mats, and furniture. The same reed plant was once used in ancient Egypt to make paper. In the marshes, every part of the reed is put to use - nothing is wasted.
The Mesopotamian Marshes were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016, celebrating both their astonishing natural beauty and the remarkable living culture of the Ma'dan people. Conservation work is helping to restore and protect these extraordinary wetlands so they can be enjoyed by future generations.