Zagros Mountains

Quick Facts

• Type: Mountain range
• Length: About 1,600 km
• Highest peak: Mount Dena (4,409 m)
• Countries: Iran, Iraq, and Turkey

Overview

The Zagros Mountains form a vast range stretching from eastern Turkey across western Iran and into northern Iraq. The range defines much of Kurdistan’s mountainous landscape and influences climate, hydrology, and settlement patterns.

Its ridges and valleys create a mosaic of ecosystems, from oak forests to alpine zones.

Landscape and Culture

The Zagros have long supported pastoral life and seasonal migration, with villages and small towns tucked into valleys and foothills. The range is also a reservoir of biodiversity and an important watershed for rivers that feed Mesopotamia.

Notes

Major peaks and passes in the Zagros continue to shape regional travel routes and cultural connections across borders.