Where is Kurdistan?

On the map

Map © Google Maps

What and where is the Kurdistan Region?

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is a federal autonomous region in the north of Iraq, bordering Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Syria to the west, and the rest of Iraq to the south. It covers roughly 40,000 km² of dramatic highland terrain — snow-capped mountains, river gorges, and fertile plains — and is home to around 6–7 million people.

The Kurds are one of the largest ethnic groups in the world without their own internationally recognised state. The Kurdistan Region of Iraq is the most stable and accessible part of the broader Kurdish cultural homeland, which spans parts of Turkey, Iran, Syria, and Iraq. It is not an independent country — it is a recognised autonomous region within the federal Republic of Iraq, governed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) based in Erbil.

The region has its own parliament, flag, military (the Peshmerga), and — for visitors — its own entry stamp at Erbil International Airport. Many nationalities can enter directly without a separate Iraqi visa.

Neighbours & geography

The landscape rises sharply from the plains of central Iraq into the Zagros Mountains — peaks exceed 3,600 m near the Iranian border. Rivers including the Greater Zab, Lesser Zab, and Diyala carve through dramatic gorges. The climate is continental: hot, dry summers (35–45°C in the plains) and cold, snowy winters in the mountains. Spring (March–May) is the most beautiful time to visit, when the hillsides turn vivid green.

The three governorates

The Kurdistan Region is made up of three main governorates, each centred on a major city with its own distinct character.

Key facts