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Introduction
Erbil, Sulaimanya and Dohuk Governorates that are located within Kurdistan Region are unique places in the world, where there are all components of tourism with its various shapes and categories. The Region has sustained fiercest acts of destruction, devastation and mass annihilation.
Thanks to benevolent Kurdistan people who could prove for the world that they were able to convert those tragedies and ruin forms into security, stability, and serenity, with Allah's bestowing upon such land natural wealth and charming vistasmountains, valleys, water springs, caves, and waterfalls. The people of Kurdistan Region have been striving earnestly for building their homeland.
We are hopeful that this humble guide would assist in providing basic information for the tourists who will be guests of Kurdistan hospitable people.
You Are Most Welcome.
Erbil Governorate
The Erbil Governorate lies between 43,45/22' longitudinal parallels, eastwards and 35,37/15' latitudinal parallels, northwards. Thus, it is situated south of the Kurdistani Homeland, north of Federal lraq and in the middle of Kurdistan Region. Geographically, the city of Erbil extends over a vast plain, with 1300 ft. above sea level.
Erbil is a dividing line between Great Zab and Little Zab. The capital of Kurdistan, Erbil is 350 km off the Federal Iraqi metropolis, Baghdad. It is bounded by the city of Sulaimaniya in the east; Great Zab, cities of Mosul and Dohuk from the west; Kirkuk from the south and to the north there are Tukey-lran borders. Since the ancient eras, Erbil has been an administrative, military and commercial centre, maintaining its value and fame. Hence it is an old city, having names dating back to 4000 BC. In the Sumerian King's (Shulgi) writings it was known as (Urbillum); in the Babylonian and Assyrian inscriptions, referred to as (Arbaello)-i.e. the four gods.
Under the Babylonians, lshtar Temple was centred there. In cuneiform manuscripts it was known as (Ay Kshan Klama) which means (Region Lady's Home). It was the temple housing Assyrian gods; therefore, one can see sculpted pictures of King (Banipal 627-688 BC); many Assyrian kings' pictures who had lived in the region; besides a bronze-made statue of lshtar goddess. Owing to the city's significance, the Assyrian King (Sennacherib 681 -750 BC) stored its underground water in 22 km marble-built tunnel extending from Murtka village to Erbil. On the water spring gate Sennacherib wrote the following: (I am Sennacherib, the king of Assyria; I built three water tunnels from (Khani) Mountains to the Beauteous Lady's Home...) Erbil was the Assyrian Empire's Capital under Sargon of Akkad (705-721 BC). At that time
Erbil had been at the peak of civilizational and constructional progress.
Following the fall of Nineveh in 612 BC, it became a part of the Medes's State; however, after the World War I, it became part of Iraq's lands. Erbil witnessed many events and wars. The most well-known battle was (Arbella) in (331 BC) between Alexander of Macedonia and Dara 111, the last Persian Emperor. Erbil is also designated as the city of Holako's Downfall, because all Holako's attempts to penetrate this city ended to a big failure and finally he pulled out his army (1235 A.D.)
Pre-Islamic Periods Witnessed by Erbil
1. Sumerian Period
2. Assyrian Period
3. Persian Period
4. Sasanid Period
5. Safavid Period
6. Parthian Period
Post-Islam Principalities Ruling in Erbil
1. Hazbanian Principality
2. Baktakmina Principality
3. Kurdish Mazinjan Principality
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