Erbil Governorate Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Erbil Governorate

Kurdish: پارێزگای ھەولێر
Arabic: محافظة أربيل

Governorate

Clockwise, from top: Canyon in Rawandiz, Koy Sanjaq, Shaqlawa and Citadel of Erbil

Seal

Location of the Erbil Governorate (red)

– in Iraq (red, beige & light grey)
– in the Kurdistan Region (red & beige)

Erbil Governorate within Kurdistan Region

Region

Capital

Governor

Omed Khoshnaw

Area

• Total

14,872 km² (5,742 sq mi)

Population

(2020)

• Total

2,932,800

HDI (2018)

0.676
medium

Erbil Governorate (Kurdish: پارێزگای ھەولێر ,Parêzgeha Hewlêr, Arabic: محافظة أربيل, romanized: Muḥāfaẓat Arbīl) is an important area in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It's like a big state or province. Erbil is the main city and the capital of the Kurdistan area. It's also a major center for business and trade.

How Erbil Governorate is Governed
Districts of Erbil Governorate
Main Cities and Towns
Universities and Colleges
Images for kids
See also

How Erbil Governorate is Governed

The Erbil Governorate is led by a person called a governor. This person is in charge of the whole area.

The current governor of Erbil is Omid Khoshnaw.

Districts of Erbil Governorate

Map showing the different districts of Erbil Governorate

The Erbil Governorate is divided into smaller parts called districts. Each district has its own local government. Here are some of the main districts and their populations from 2009:

Erbil: This is the largest district. About 792,981 people lived here in 2009.
Dashty Hawler: This district had about 186,346 people.
Makhmur: Around 173,801 people lived here.
Soran: This district had a population of about 154,945.
Shaqlawa: About 124,628 people lived in Shaqlawa.
Koya: This district had around 95,246 people.
Kabat: About 93,442 people lived here.
Mergasor: This district had around 44,661 people.
Choman: About 23,730 people lived in Choman.
Rawanduz: This district had around 21,280 people.

Main Cities and Towns

The Erbil Governorate is home to many cities and towns. These places are where most people live and work.

Erbil (هەولێر): This is the biggest city. About 1,500,000 people live here.
Rewanduz (ڕەواندز): This city has a population of about 95,089.
Beni Silawey Gewre (بنەسڵاوە): Around 37,322 people live here.
Kune Gurg (کونە گورگ): This town has about 30,283 residents.
Selaheddin (سەڵاحەددین): Around 18,205 people live in Selaheddin.
Mexmur (مەخموور): This town has about 18,128 residents.
Koya Senjaq (کۆیە): Around 15,123 people live here.
Kasnazan (کەسنەزان): This town has about 12,783 residents.
Derbend (دەربەند): Around 10,086 people live here.
Shaweis (شاوێس): This town has about 7,387 residents.
Behirke (بەحرکە): Around 6,758 people live here.
Piran (پیران): This town has about 6,715 residents.
Qasre (قەسرێ): Around 5,472 people live here.

Universities and Colleges

Erbil Governorate is a great place for learning! It has many universities. Students can study different subjects here.

Salahaddin University: This university was started in 1958. It moved to Erbil in 1981.
Hawler Medical University: This school focuses on medical studies. It was founded in 2005.
University of Kurdistan Hewlêr: This is a public university. Classes are taught in English.
Tishk International University: This is a private university. It opened in Erbil in 2008.
Cihan University: Another private university. It was founded in 2007.
SABIS University: This is also a private university.
Soran University: This is a government university. It was founded in 2009.
Knowledge University: A private university founded in 2009.
Catholic University in Erbil: This is a private, non-profit university. It was founded in 2015.