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| Arbil Governorate | |
|---|---|
| Name | Arbil Governorate |
| Native name | ܐܪܒܝܠ / هەولێر |
| Settlement type | Governorate |
| Coordinates | 36°11′N 44°01′E |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | Iraq |
| Subdivision type1 | Autonomous region |
| Subdivision name1 | Kurdistan Region |
| Seat type | Capital |
| Seat | Erbil |
| Area total km2 | 14,872 |
| Population total | 2,000,000 (approx.) |
| Population as of | 2020 estimate |
Arbil Governorate is a governorate in northern Iraq centered on the city of Erbil. The governorate lies within the autonomous Kurdistan Region and borders Duhok Governorate, Salah al-Din Governorate, Kirkuk Governorate, Suleimaniyah Governorate, and Iran. Its capital, Erbil, hosts the ancient Citadel of Erbil and serves as a regional hub for commerce, culture, and diplomacy involving actors such as the Kurdistan Regional Government, United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, and international investors like BP and Chevron.
The governorate occupies part of the Mesopotamian plains and the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, with terrain ranging from fertile lowlands near the Tigris River tributaries to upland plateaus adjacent to Kurdistan Region highlands. Key rivers and wadis shape irrigation networks tied to sites such as Rawanduz and irrigation works influenced by projects like the Mosul Dam era planning. The climate is Mediterranean-continental with hot, dry summers influenced by airflows from the Persian Gulf and cold, snowy winters affected by systems from Anatolia and Central Asia. Seasonal patterns impact agriculture in districts such as Makhmur and contribute to biodiversity in protected locales comparable to regions noted in conservation discussions with IUCN partners.
The area contains continuous settlement from antiquity, with the Citadel of Erbil evidencing occupation during the Neo-Assyrian Empire, Achaemenid Empire, and Seleucid Empire. Medieval phases involved powers including the Buyid dynasty, the Seljuk Empire, and the Ottoman Empire under which administrative divisions evolved alongside neighboring provinces like Mosul Vilayet. In the 20th century, the governorate experienced events tied to the Kingdom of Iraq, the Ba'ath Party (Iraq), and conflicts including the Iran–Iraq War and the 1991 Iraqi uprisings. More recent history features interactions among the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, and Coalition forces during the 2003 Iraq War, as well as security challenges involving Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and subsequent stabilization operations by Peshmerga forces.
The population is ethnically diverse, comprising communities such as Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Turkmen, and Arabs, with religious affiliations including Sunni Islam, Shia Islam, Christianity denominations like the Chaldean Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East, and minority faiths connected with places such as the Madrasa of al-Nuri heritage debates. Urbanization centers around Erbil and towns like Koy Sanjaq and Shaqlawa, while rural districts maintain tribal and clan networks tied to families involved in politics such as those of the Barzani and Talabani spheres. Civil society institutions include NGOs partnered with UNICEF, UNDP, and regional think tanks modeled on entities like the Middle East Institute.
Economic activity includes hydrocarbon-related investment by firms such as BP and ExxonMobil in fields linked to northern Iraq oil basins, plus agriculture producing wheat, barley, and fruit in districts like Makhmur. Urban development in Erbil International Airport and the Erbil International Hotel facilitated trade and tourism, attracting developers comparable to Diyarbakır and Baku projects. Infrastructure initiatives involve road links along corridors to Baghdad and Mosul, power projects coordinated with entities like World Bank programs, and telecom expansion by companies influenced by regional operators similar to Zain Group. Reconstruction funding has come through agreements involving the Kurdistan Regional Government and international donors such as USAID.
Administratively, the governorate is divided into districts and subdistricts including Erbil District, Makhmur District, and Koye Sanjaq District with local councils established after constitutional arrangements in the Iraqi Kurdistan autonomy framework. The Kurdistan Regional Government exercises devolved authority in conjunction with Baghdad institutions under provisions related to the Iraqi Constitution (2005). Political actors include parties such as the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, while security is provided by regional forces like the Peshmerga and coordinated with national bodies such as the Iraqi Security Forces during joint operations.
Cultural heritage sites include the Citadel of Erbil, Minaret of Jam-comparable architectures in the region, and churches like Mar Aho Dama that reflect multi-millennial histories intersecting with festivals such as Nowruz and Christian observances linked to Easter. Museums and cultural centers host artifacts paralleling collections in the Sulaymaniyah Museum and collaborate with international institutions including the British Museum and Smithsonian Institution on preservation. Tourism draws visitors to bazaars, traditional music tied to artists associated with the Kurdish National Congress, and natural attractions near Rawanduz Canyon and Gali Ali Beg.
Higher education institutions include University of Mosul-related networks of scholarship and local universities such as the University of Kurdistan Hewler and Erbil Polytechnic University, while vocational training aligns with programs promoted by UNESCO and World Health Organization capacity-building. Hospitals and medical centers provide services in partnership with NGOs like Médecins Sans Frontières and public hospitals modeled on standards used in regional centers including Sulaimaniyah General Hospital. Educational curricula and health initiatives interact with accreditation bodies and donor agencies active across northern Iraq to address post-conflict reconstruction and development needs.