Kurdistan refers to portions of Turkey,Iraq, Iran and Syria, however only the Iraqi region of kurdistan is discussed here. See 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 defacto independence after an uprising in 1991 and their autonomy has now been enshrined into the Iraqi federal constitution.

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 devleopment, Kurdistan is fast becoming a "gateway to Iraq" with high levels of foreign investment and infrastructural construction.

Cities

The major cities controlled by the KRG are Hawler (ancient Arbil), Silamaniya, Duhok, Kirkuk, Ruwanduz, Raniya, Zaxo, Xanaqen, Qaladze.

Other destinations

Kurdistan is a land of rugged beauty being characterised by mountains, ravines, waterfalls and natural water springs. It has long been famed in middle eastern literature as a veritable 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.

Notable destinations to visit:

Haj Omaran, a ski resort in the north of Silamaniya province.

Gali Ali Bag, the largest waterfall in the middle east.

Bexal, another beautiful waterfall.

Zaxo 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.

Understand

That while Kurdistan Iraq is a reasonably safe place, the journey can become dangerous if you plan to enter the southern regions of Iraq.

Talk

Kurdish is the official language and most widely spoken, however hihger 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.

Get in

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

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/

Which aims to facilate travel into Kurdistan-Iraq.

n.b: a valid Iraqi (Kurdistan stamp) visa is required on arrival by all nationalities, citizens of the EU, the US, Canada and Australia can purchase a visa on arrival ($10 US)

Get around

Taxis are relatively cheap ($1 US, for intracity travel) as are "coaster" buses ($0.2 US), the railway is not yet operational, although their are plans to refurbish this line which was once the final leg of the "orient express" railway.

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.

See

Arbil Citadel, a 4,000 year old castle right in the middle of the Kurdistan regional Capital Arbil, Arbil itself is one of the worlds contenders for the most ancient continuously inhabited city, having a history stretching back to 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 the history buffs amongst us.

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 Silamaniya province.

Gali Ali Bag, the highest waterfall in the middle east.

Bexal, another beautiful waterfall.

Jinokan, yet another waterfall.

Zaxo 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.

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 synagogoues.

Itineraries

Do

Eat

Meat! as with many other middle eastern people, Kurds are voracious carnivors, 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.

n.b avoid water bottle imports from the Islamic Republis of Iran, these as well as iranian ice creams have been found to be sometimes contaminated.

Stay safe

Do not cross into the areas of Iraq outside of Kurdistan regional government control!, this area is extremely unsafe as compared to Kurdistan and dangerous, with bombings and beheadings being commonplace.

The border is well demarcated by the Kurdish security services.

Get out

By the way you came in!