Hakkâri Province, Province in southeastern Turkey
Hakkâri Province sits in southeastern Turkey where the borders of Iran and Iraq meet, characterized by rugged mountains with peaks exceeding 4,000 meters (13,000 feet). Five administrative districts form the province's structure, connected by river valleys and mountain passes.
The province experienced major demographic shifts in the early 20th century that reshaped its population character. A region once home to mixed Kurdish and Assyrian communities gradually became predominantly Kurdish.
The population here maintains deep ties to pastoral traditions, with herding and handicraft practices woven into daily routines across the region's valleys and settlements. These customs reflect generations of adaptation to life in challenging mountain terrain.
Travel here is shaped by the mountains, with terrain that slows journeys and demands careful planning. Visitors should expect variable weather and limited services in more remote areas.
Stone stelae dating to the 15th century BC have been discovered in the region, revealing ancient ties to Eastern Anatolian civilizations. These findings show the area sustained human settlement and cultural exchange long before modern times.
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