📖 About Erbil

Erbil, known as Hewlêr in Kurdish, is the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, with a history spanning over 6,000 years. With a metropolitan population of approximately 1.5 million, it serves as the political, cultural, and economic center of Iraqi Kurdistan—an autonomous region with its own government, military, and flag within federal Iraq.

The city's defining feature is its ancient citadel (Qalat), a massive tell (archaeological mound) rising 30 meters above the surrounding plain. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has been inhabited since at least the 5th millennium BC, making it one of humanity's longest-lived urban centers. The citadel's strategic position overlooking fertile plains attracted successive civilizations—Sumerians, Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, Parthians, and Arabs all left their mark.

Modern Erbil has transformed dramatically since the 1990s, when the Kurdistan Region gained autonomy. Oil wealth, political stability relative to the rest of Iraq, and Kurdish entrepreneurship have created a boomtown of gleaming malls, international hotels, and modern infrastructure. The city represents Kurdish aspirations for self-determination while serving as a crucial hub in the complex geopolitics of the Middle East.

🏛️ Top Attractions

💼 Economy & Culture

Erbil's economy is driven by the oil and gas industry, with major international energy companies operating in the Kurdistan Region. Construction, real estate, and retail have boomed as oil revenues finance development. The city serves as a commercial gateway to the region, with growing banking, telecommunications, and service sectors. International trade, particularly with Turkey and Iran, flows through Erbil's airport and land borders.

Kurdish culture flourishes in Erbil, with the Kurdish language (Sorani dialect) dominant in daily life. Traditional music, dance, and costume remain important, especially during Newroz (Kurdish New Year) celebrations in March. The city's cuisine features kebabs, dolma, rice dishes, and distinctive Kurdish bread. Despite modernization, extended family bonds and tribal affiliations continue to shape social life. Religious tolerance prevails, with mosques, churches, and other places of worship coexisting peacefully.

📜 History

Archaeological evidence suggests Erbil (ancient Arbela) has been continuously inhabited since at least 5000 BC, making it a contender for the world's oldest continuously inhabited city. The Assyrian Empire made it a major center, and the citadel's strategic importance continued through Persian, Hellenistic, Parthian, and Sassanid periods. The Battle of Gaugamela (331 BC), where Alexander the Great defeated Darius III of Persia, occurred nearby.

Arab conquest brought Islam in the 7th century, and the city passed through various Islamic dynasties. Mongol invasions devastated the region, but Erbil recovered under Ottoman rule. Following World War I, Erbil became part of the new Iraqi state despite Kurdish aspirations for independence. The Kurds experienced persecution under various Iraqi governments, culminating in the Anfal campaign of the 1980s. The 1991 Gulf War created the conditions for Kurdish autonomy, and since then Erbil has flourished as the capital of the Kurdistan Region, though tensions with Baghdad continue over resources, territory, and ultimate political status.