Hakkâri

Hakkâri is a province and its capital city in the far southeast of Turkey, in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. The province borders Iraq and lies in a rugged, mountainous area that forms part of the eastern Taurus–Zagros belt. The city of Hakkâri sits in a narrow valley and serves as the administrative center.

The name Hakkâri is the Turkish rendering of the local toponym used by Kurdish and historical sources; the region has been known by different names across empires.

The population is predominantly Kurdish, with Turkish as the official language. The province is mountainous and contains several districts; population estimates place it at roughly 270,000 to 290,000 inhabitants, with the city accounting for a significant share.

Historically, the area has been part of ancient Mesopotamian and Anatolian civilizations and was later incorporated into the Ottoman Empire. Following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, Hakkâri became a formal province, and the late 20th century saw conflict related to Kurdish insurgent movements.

The economy relies mainly on agriculture and animal husbandry, with crops such as barley and wheat and pastoral products. Cross-border trade with Iraq, public services, and small crafts also contribute to income.

Administratively, the province is divided into several districts, including the capital district Hakkâri, Yüksekova, Şemdinli, Çukurca, and Derecik. The region is known for its Kurdish cultural heritage, mountainous landscapes, and historic sites.

Transportation consists of a small domestic airport and road connections to other Turkish provinces. The climate is cold in winter and hot in summer, with rugged terrain and occasional seismic activity linked to the East Anatolian fault.