Hawler

Hawler, also known as Erbil and in Kurdish Hewlêr, is the capital city of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the administrative center of Erbil Governorate. It lies in northern Iraq on a raised tell near fertile plains, and is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world.

The city’s historic core centers on the Erbil Citadel, a hilltop fortress that has housed communities for millennia. The Citadel, surrounded by ancient walls and a network of courtyard houses and markets, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 2014. The surrounding old town retains traditional Kurdish urban fabric, while newer districts extend outward with modern neighborhoods, commercial centers, and infrastructure.

Since the establishment of the Kurdistan Region’s autonomy, Hawler has been its political and economic hub. The city hosts regional government institutions and a growing array of businesses. Its population includes ethnic Kurds and minorities such as Christians, Arabs, Turkmen, and others. The local economy emphasizes public services, construction, trade, and increasingly energy-related activity, supported by Erbil International Airport and improving road and housing projects.

Educational and cultural institutions include the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr and Hawler Medical University, along with museums, libraries, media outlets, and cultural centers that reflect Kurdish heritage and regional development.