Mosul, 'Pearl of the North'

By MARGARET FRIEDENAUER, Staff Writer

MOSUL--At 2,000 years old and counting, the city of Mosul has a legendary history of cultural and ethnic diversity. It has seen the rise and fall of countless dynasties, regimes and conquerors. Now, with a population of more than 2 million and years of unrest and insurgent activity, Mosul holds historic significance in yet another war for the history books while still being referred to as the "Pearl of the North."