Hewler

Hewler, also spelled Hewlêr and known in English as Erbil or Arbil, is the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the administrative center of Erbil Governorate. It is situated in northern Iraq on a highland plateau near the Zagros mountains, and has long served as a political, economic, and cultural hub for the Kurdish people. The city hosts the Citadel of Erbil, a historic mound that stands as a symbol of the city and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Historically, Hewler is among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with urban settlement attested in antiquity under various empires. Over centuries it developed as a frontier stronghold and market town within Kurdish principalities, and later became an important center in the region under the Ottoman Empire. In the modern era, it emerged as the political heart of the Kurdistan Region, housing regional government institutions, including the presidency, parliament, and ministries, as well as a growing administrative and commercial ecosystem.

Culture and economy in Hewler reflect its status as a regional capital. The old city, including the Qaysari Bazaar, showcases traditional markets alongside modern development. The city is a regional transportation hub, with Erbil International Airport serving international and domestic routes and a network of roads linking it to other Iraqi cities and neighboring countries. The population is predominantly Kurdish, with minority communities such as Arabs, Christians, and Turkmen, and languages including Kurdish and Arabic spoken in daily life.