Erbil (Hewler)

Quick Facts

• Region: Kurdistan Region of Iraq
• Governorate/Province: Erbil Governorate
• Elevation: 390 m
• Population (year): 879,071 (2018 est.)

Overview

Erbil is the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the seat of Erbil Governorate. It is among Iraq’s largest cities and has long served as a regional trade hub linking Iraq with Turkey, Iran, and Syria.

Since 2003, Erbil has experienced a construction-led boom with new roads, hotels, and commercial districts, while its historic core still rises on a tell shaped by millennia of settlement.

History and Culture

The city corresponds to ancient Arbela and grew as an Assyrian political and religious center before passing through successive empires. Kurdish cultural life today is reflected in literature, music, and public institutions across the city.

Sites and Landmarks

The Erbil Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, crowns the mound at the heart of the city. Nearby are the Qaysari Bazaar and the Muzaffariyah Minaret (Choly Minara), along with museums such as the Erbil Civilization Museum.

Notable People

Notable figures born in Erbil include the historian Ibn Khallikan and the Kurdish poet Abdulla Pashew.

Population

Population (2018 est.): 879,071.