Geli Eli Beg Waterfall, Waterfall in Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
Geli Ali Beg Waterfall lies roughly 130 kilometers north of Erbil within the mountainous terrain of the Kurdistan Region. Water cascades down rocky cliffs to create a natural formation set among high peaks.
A Yazidi leader died at this location in 1833 after refusing to abandon his faith. The event became significant in shaping how the place is remembered in the region.
The waterfall carries the name of a Yazidi leader, reflecting the historical connection between this place and the region's religious communities. Local stories about this person remain part of how people speak about the site today.
Visitors reach the site by traveling on mountain roads that demand careful driving and suitable vehicles for steep terrain. The location's distance from the main city means planning ahead for travel time is necessary.
The waterfall appeared on Iraq's five-dinar banknote from 1978 to 1990, chosen to represent the region's natural beauty on currency. Few visitors realize this connection to Iraq's monetary history.
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