'''Kurdistan''' refers to portions of Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria, however only the Iraqi region of Kurdistan is discussed here. See the articles on Turkey, Iran, and Syria for information regarding the other regions of Kurdistan.

Regions

Iraqi Kurdistan refers to the 4 Kurdish northern Iraqi Provinces, which are autonomous of the central Iraqi government and ruled by the Kurdistan Regional Government. These provinces achieved de facto independence after an uprising in 1991 and their autonomy has now been enshrined into the Iraqi federal constitution. The 4 Kurdish Provinces are, Arbil, At-Ta'mim, As-Sulaymaniyah, and parts of Diyala and Ninawa.

Cities

The major cities controlled by the KRG are:

  • Hawler (ancient Arbil)
  • Sulamaniya
  • Dohuk
  • Zakho
  • Lalish
  • Kirkuk (not safe)
  • Ruwanduz
  • Raniya
  • Xanaqen
  • Qaladze.
  • Other destinations

    Kurdistan is a land of rugged beauty, characterised by mountains, ravines, waterfalls and natural water springs. It has long been famed in middle eastern literature as a paradise on earth, owing to its plentiful scenes of natural beauty which are in such contrast to the somewhat arid scenes so prominent in surrounding areas.

  • '''Hawler Citadel''': A 4,000 year old castle right in the middle of the Kurdistan regional Capital,Hawler or calledArbil. Hawler((Hawler)) itself is one of the world's contenders for the most ancient continuously inhabited city, having a history stretching back to the days of ancient Babylon. The site of the famous battle between Alexander the Great and King Darius, is also a short drive from Arbil city and can be fascinating for history buffs.
  • '''Parastaga Zardasht''': A recently discovered ancient Zoroastrian/Mithradate temple in Duhok province.
  • '''Chemi Rezan''': The famous caves in which the earliest human ceremonial burial site was discovered by german archeologists. The area is now carefully protected, however access is still possible.
  • '''Kirkuk citadel''': The ancient citadel of the city of Kirkuk, another millenia old monument.
  • '''Haj Omaran''': A ski resort in the north of Hawler province.
  • '''Gali Ali Bag''': The highest waterfall in the middle east.
  • '''Bexal''': Another beautiful waterfall.
  • '''Jinokan''': Yet another waterfall.
  • '''Zakho bridge''': The oldest example of a open arch brdge in the middle east, dating back to Abbasid times.
  • '''Dokan lake''': A large lake laying at an altitude of 900m.
  • '''Lalish'''': "Holy See" of Yazidis
  • '''Numerous religous sites''': Especially of the Judeo-christian faiths, such as the tomb of the prophet Daniel in Kirkuk province, the 9th century St. Thomas monastery and Jewlakan, Jewish quarter of Silamani, with its numerous newly renovated synagogues.
  • Understand

    Having been spared the war of 2003, Kurdistan-Iraq is a very different place from southern Iraq. With a minimal level of terrorist activity and massive economic development, Kurdistan is fast becoming a "gateway to Iraq" with high levels of foreign investment and development of infrastructure.

    Get in

    A valid Iraqi (Kurdistan stamp) visa is required on arrival for all nationalities. Citizens of the EU, the US, Canada, Japan and Australia can purchase a visa on arrival ($10 US).

    By plane

    Kurdistan is subserved by 2 international airports:

  • Hawler international Airport (HIA) http://www.hawlerairport.org/news.php
  • Silamani International Airport (SIA) http://www.sulairport.net/news.php
  • By bus

    Further advice on entry on these routes and other ones such as a land crossing from turkey can be found at:

  • http://www.kurdistancorporation.com/
  • Get around

    By taxi

    Taxis are relatively cheap ($2 US, for intracity travel) as are "coaster" buses ($0.5 US).

    By plane

    Air travel between Silamaniya and Hawler is available and cheap (around 100$ for a round trip), although this is only a 2 hour trip by road.

    By train

    The railway is not yet operational, although there are plans to refurbish this line which was once the final leg of the "orient express" railway.

    Talk

    Kurdish is the official language and most widely spoken, however higher learning institutes produce teenagers eager to practise their foreign language "skills" in many towns and that a large number of expat kurds have returned home, bringing with them languages as diverse as Swedish and Japanese.

    Food

    Meat! As with many other middle eastern people, Kurds are voracious carnivores. Local foods include: Kebab, ''dolma'' (stuffed grape vines), ''yaprax'' (assorted stuffed vegtables ranging from onions to courgettes, ''shila u brinc'' (the Kurdish national dish, composing rice alongside a soup, which is made from many vegtables such as okra "bamiya", and the infamous ''gipa'' (much like scottish haggis).

    The less adventurous traveler will be reassured to know that many "western" style food establishments are now open in the major population centres, such as Dominoe's Pizza and numerous fried chicken and burger joints.

    Drink

    Bottled water is widely available. As are bottled/canned soft drinks. The tap water is considered to be relatively safe.

    Although a muslim nation, alcohol is widely available and freely consumed, visitors are advised to try the kurdish national drink "Arak", a concoction of fermented dates and aniseed which can as local tradition has it "make the dryest eye cry". European beers, lagers and ales are also widely available as are locally produced wines, which make up for what they lack in sophistication with character.

    Also you can go out to a Lebanese Restaurant Fairuz on the 60 street 0750 4804440

    Stay safe

    While Kurdistan Iraq is a reasonably safe place, the journey can become dangerous if you cross into the areas of Iraq outside of Kurdistan regional government control. Southern Iraq is extremely unsafe as compared to Kurdistan, with bombings and attacks on foreigners commonplace. The border is well demarcated by the Kurdish security services.