Erbil, Capital city of Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq.
Erbil is the capital of the Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq and one of the largest cities in the country. The streets radiate outward from the central citadel, with modern districts featuring wide boulevards and high-rise buildings surrounding the historic old town.
The city has been continuously inhabited for over 7000 years, making it one of the oldest continuously settled places in the world. Throughout the centuries, it came under Assyrian, Persian, and Ottoman rule before becoming the modern capital of the Kurdish autonomous region.
The local tea houses around the old town offer a glimpse into daily life, where people gather to talk and play backgammon. The city's name derives from the Assyrian Urbilum, which is reflected in today's Kurdish pronunciation.
The best time to visit is during spring or autumn when temperatures are milder than in midsummer. Most sites of interest lie within walking distance near the citadel, while taxis are available for longer distances across the city.
The citadel was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 and is considered the longest continuously inhabited place on Earth. Archaeologists have uncovered more than 100 layers of settlement beneath the modern city center, documenting different civilizations.
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