Despite the great religious, historical and cultural prestige of the holy city of Karbala, but it was not the only advantage that made this pure land a destination for travel and settlement throughout its blessed history.
According to historical sources, the city of Karbala has been since the early stages of its growth, an attraction factor to visit at times and for lodging at other times, due to the commercial nature played by this city for long periods because of its geographical location on the western trade road in Iraq which overlooks the edge of its western desert that vastly extends along the border and shares its area with many neighboring countries in the region.
These characteristics made this city an important platform among some others that feeding the trade convoys between Iraq and its Arab surroundings with supplies, markets and rest houses. (1)
What also contributed to the growing strategic and economic importance of the city of Karbala, is its supervision over the river communication function inside and outside the country by embracing the course of the Euphrates River within its territory, as this river was used until recently, to transport goods and people with very effectiveness.
Source
(1) The city of Karbala - The induction guide to the holy city of Karbala: by Riyadh al-Jumaili, The series of publications of Karbala Center for Studies and Research Vol. 9.
