Kurdistan facts for kids
.jpg) Kurdish-Inhabited Areas |
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| Location | Parts of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia |
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| Area (Est.) | 190,000 km² - 390,000 km² 74,000 sq.mi - 151,000 sq.mi |
| Population | 25–30 Million (Est.) |
Kurdistan is a large, mountainous region in the Middle East. It is home to most of the Kurds. This area is not a single country. Instead, it is spread across several countries. These include parts of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. Small parts are also in Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Kurdish people are a large group, estimated to be around 35 to 40 million people worldwide. They have their own unique culture and language. Most Kurds speak Kurdish, which is an Iranian language. Most people living in Kurdistan are Muslim.
Contents
Understanding Kurdistan's Location
Kurdistan is a historical and cultural region. It does not have official borders like a country. Instead, it is divided into different parts based on which country they are in.
Parts of Kurdistan
- Northern Kurdistan is the largest part. It is located in southeastern Turkey.
- Southern Kurdistan is in northern Iraq. This part has its own government within Iraq.
- Western Kurdistan is found in northern Syria.
- Eastern Kurdistan is located in northwestern Iran. In this area, cities like Piranshahr and Mahabad are important centers.
The Kurdish People and Their Culture
The Kurds are an ancient group with a rich history. They are known for their strong connection to their land and traditions.
Language and Heritage
The Kurdish language is part of the Indo-European language family. It is related to languages like Persian. There are different dialects of Kurdish, but most Kurds can understand each other. The Kurds have a vibrant culture with traditional music, dances, and clothing.
Life in Kurdistan
Life in Kurdistan often involves living in mountainous areas. Many villages are nestled in valleys and on hillsides. The people are known for their hospitality. Farming and raising livestock are common ways of life in many parts of the region.
Images for kids
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Map of Jibal (mountains of northeastern Mesopotamia), highlighting "Summer and winter resorts of the Kurds", the Kurdish lands. Redrawn from Ibn Hawqal, 977 CE.
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Map from Mahmud al-Kashgari's Dīwān Lughāt al-Turk (1072–74), showing Arḍ al-Akrād, Arabic for "land of Kurds", located between Arḍ al-Šām (ie. Syria), and Arḍ al-ʿIrāqayn (ie. Iraq).
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Kurdistan (shaded area) as suggested by the Treaty of Sèvres
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Abdullah Öcalan pictured 1997
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Historic map from 1721 showing borders of Curdistan provinces in Persia
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The States outlined in red are two Kurdish States named Hakkiari and Mosul in this 1902 map. They are referred to as Upper Kurdistan and Lower Kurdistan respectively.
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A typical Kurdish village in Hawraman, Kurdistan
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Canyon in Rawanduz in northern Iraqi Kurdistan
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Zê river in Zebari region, Iraqi Kurdistan.
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The city of Piranshahr, center of Mokrian district, northwestern Iran
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The city of Batman, Northern Kurdistan (eastern Turkey)
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Countryside in Sulaymaniyah
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See also
In Spanish: Kurdistán para niños
