Diyala Governorate

Diyala Governorate is an administrative province in eastern Iraq stretching from the Zagros Mountains to the plains. The landscape alternates between hills, wide river valleys, and expansive palm groves along the watercourse.

The region has been settled since the time of ancient Mesopotamians, who built canals and founded cities along the river. Over the centuries, the province came under Persian, Ottoman, and later British influence before becoming part of modern Iraq.

The name Diyala comes from the river that flows through the entire province and has shaped farming for centuries. In rural areas today, you can still see traditional irrigation systems channeling water from the river to fields, passed down through generations.

The province is best explored during cooler months when temperatures are more comfortable and harvest time arrives in the orchards. Many areas are rural and require longer drives between towns.

The province produces more oranges than any other region in the Middle East and supplies markets across Iraq with its fruit. The olive groves also rank among the largest in the country and have provided oil for trade and cooking for centuries.