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Erbil

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Erbil is a very large and busy city. It is the capital of the Kurdistan Region in Iraq.

Postcard of the city of Erbil, 1900
Postcard of the city of Erbil, 1900

This city is also the capital of the Erbil Governorate. People call it a hub for many important things. It is a center for schools and doctors. It is also a place for business and culture.

Erbil mail square
Erbil mail square

Many people live here, making it the most populated city in its region.

At the center of the city sits the ancient Citadel of Erbil.

قه لا ى هه ولير
قه لا ى هه ولير

The Citadel is a very old fort. It is also a World Heritage Site. Near the Citadel, you can find the Mudhafaria Minaret. The city has many layers of history beneath its streets. Scientists use tools like ground penetrating radar to look under the ground.

Clock of Erbil
Clock of Erbil

They want to learn more about the old buildings. Sometimes, a building might collapse and show new things to researchers.

Erbil is one of the oldest cities in the whole world. People may have lived there as far back as the 5th millennium BC.

Postcard of the city of Erbil, 1900
Postcard of the city of Erbil, 1900

The city has many different names from long ago. In ancient times, it was called Arbela in Latin. The Sumerians called it Urbilum. Later, the name changed as different groups arrived. It has been a home for people for thousands of years. This makes the city a very special place to study.

Many strong lands have ruled Erbil over the years. The Assyrians once controlled the area. Later, the Romans and the Persians also had power here. The city was even part of the Ottoman Empire.

Postcard of the city of Erbil, 1900
Postcard of the city of Erbil, 1900

In the 13th century, the Mongols attacked the city. They fought a long siege against the Citadel for six months. Even through these hard times, the city stayed important. It has survived many changes in its long history.

Today, you can visit many places to see the past. The Erbil Civilization Museum has many old objects.

One of the halls of the Erbil Civilization Museum displaying Mesopotamian artifacts from the Urartian, Hurrian, and Hatra periods
One of the halls of the Erbil Civilization Museum displaying Mesopotamian artifacts from the Urartian, Hurrian, and Hatra periods

These items show art from the time of Mesopotamia. The museum is a center for many archaeology projects. In 2014, the city was named the Arab Tourism Capital.

Erbil mail square
Erbil mail square

This shows how much people enjoy visiting this historic place. It connects the ancient world to our modern life.

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🖼️ Images & Media (8)
File:Siège d'Irbil 1258-1259.jpeg
Siège d'Irbil 1258-1259.jpeg
File:Kurdistan1920.png
Kurdistan1920.png
File:Postcard of the city of Erbil, 1900.jpg
Postcard of the city of Erbil, 1900.jpg
File:Erbil mail square.JPG
Erbil mail square.JPG
File:The patriarchate of the Assyrian Church of the East in Erbil.jpg
The patriarchate of the Assyrian Church...
File:Clock of Erbil.jpg
Clock of Erbil.jpg
File:قه_لا_ى_هه_ولير.jpg
قه_لا_ى_هه_ولير.jpg
File:One of the halls of the Erbil Civilization Museum displaying Mesopotamian artifacts from the Urartian, Hurrian, and Hatra periods.jpg
One of the halls of the Erbil...
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