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Iranian Azerbaijan

Iranian Azerbaijan (Persian and Azerbaijani: آذربایجان) is in the extreme northwest of Iran, by the border with the country and former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan.

Provincial capitals

 * - capital of Ardabil province.
 * — the biggest economic hub of Northwestern Iran, the most populated city in Iranian Azerbaijan, and the capital of East Azerbaijan province.
 * — capital of West Azerbaijan province.
 * - capital of Zanjan province.

Other major cities

 * Jolfa - Border town with Nakhchivan exclave of Azerbaijan, but also a good base to visit the Armenian churches and the Aras Valley
 * - A good base for seeing the spectacular Babak Castle, and the Aras River Valley
 * - A good base for seeing the spectacular Babak Castle, and the Aras River Valley

 * — a border town, and the hub for visiting the Chapel of Dzordzor
 * — known as the capital of batik in Iran.
 * — Takht-e Soleyman, a Zoroastrian fire temple and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is nearby
 * — known as the capital of batik in Iran.
 * — Takht-e Soleyman, a Zoroastrian fire temple and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is nearby
 * — Takht-e Soleyman, a Zoroastrian fire temple and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is nearby
 * — Takht-e Soleyman, a Zoroastrian fire temple and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is nearby
 * — Takht-e Soleyman, a Zoroastrian fire temple and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is nearby

Other destinations

 * - A scenic valley on the northern border with stepped villages, mountain scenery, and ancient tombs
 * — A small village with houses carved in the rocks like in Cappadocia, Turkey

Understand
Iranian Azerbaijan is traditionally inhabited by Azeris, speaking a Turkic language, and Kurds, speaking an Iranian language. The region's formation in its current borders dates back to Turkmanchay Treaty of 1828. By that treaty, the boundary between the Russian Empire and Persia was set at the Aras River, and Persia ceded to Russia the control of several Azeri areas in the South Caucasus, which is now an independent country known as the Republic of Azerbaijan. Despite being a minority, the Azeri population in Iran is larger than the population of independent Azerbaijan. Despite sharing a common cultural and linguistic heritage, due to centuries of separation under different political systems, the Azeris of Iran tend to be more conservative and religious than those of independent Azerbaijan.

This region, especially eastern parts of it, is probably one of the most beautiful places in Iran. The region is known for its friendly people, and also known for the great food.

Iranian Azerbaijan is comprised of four provinces: Ardabil, Zanjan, East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan.

Talk
The people of Iranian Azerbaijan are bilingual in both Persian and Azeri. The Azeri language in Iran tends to have more influence from Persian, in contrast to the stronger influence from Russian in independent Azerbaijan.

International airport
Tabriz International Airport is the only international airport in Iranian Azerbaijan. It has flights to some Iranian cities and to neighboring countries.

By car
By the bridge over the Urmia lake Tabriz is reachable from Urmia in 1.5 hours.

By train
Some of the Iranian Azerbaijan cities have access to the railway includingː Tabriz, Maraghe, Salmas, and Jolfa.

By bus
There are bus lines from Provincial Capitals: Tabriz, Ardabil, Urmia, and Zanjan to major Iranian cities. There are minibus lines for connecting the smaller cities to the provincial capitals of Iranian Azerbaijan.

See

 * The UNESCO World Heritage site Armenian Monastic Ensembles of Iran. It consists of three 7th century Armenian Christian buildings in the region — the monasteries of St. Thaddeus, St. Stepanos and the Chapel of Dzordzor.

Eat

 * Bonanb Kabab, a big skewer kabab with ingredient of local spices, onion and beef. It is named after city Bonab in south of Tabriz.
 * Chelo-Kabab, a dish of rice with ground beef kabab.
 * Kofte-e-Tabrizi, a big meatball with ingredient of ground beef, rice, and herbs.
 * Lighvan cheese, a domestic feta cheese from Liqvan village in south east of Tabriz.

Respect
The various respect tips found in the respect section of the Azerbaijan article will come in handy.

title: Iranian Azerbaijan


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Irapuato

Irapuato is a city of 452,000 people (2020) in Guanajuato. It is the world's largest producer of strawberries, and claims the title "world capital of strawberries".

Understand
It lies between the Silao River and the Guanajuato River, a tributary of the Lerma River.

Although it is now an important center for regional trade and transportation center as well the site of several automotive and chemical manufacturing plants, the city's main industry has historically been agriculture and it has long been known for its strawberries and the raising of pigs and cattle. The fruits and flowers of Irapuato's luxurious gardens are well-known throughout Mexico.

Among its historical-artistic and architectural heritage are the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Clean Conception of María, the Municipal Palace, the Temple of Hospitalito, the City Museum and the emblematic Mural of Identity in the central square of Vasco de Quiroga, in commemoration of whom local tradition mentions as the founder of the town.

By plane
Del Bajío International is the Leon/Guanajanto Airport. It is about 40 minutes drive from Irapuato and has several flights a day from the US (Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, Los Angeles).

By car
Major highways to Irapuato and their starting and ending points:
 * Highway 45 Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua - Panales, Hidalgo
 * Highway 90 Irapuato, Guanajuato - Zapotlanejo, Jalisco
 * Highway 43 Salamanca, Guanajuato - Morelia, Michoacán
 * Highway 110 Armería, Colima - Xoconostle, Guanajuato

By bus
Irapuato is well connected by buses providing service throughout the region as well as long-distance buses to Mexico City and beyond. From the main bus station in Queretaro, a Primera Plus bus takes 1 hour, 40 minutes to Irapuato and costs M$120. From Mexico City, ETN and Primera Plus buses depart from Autobuses del Norte every hour and cost M$320 for the 4-1/2 hour trip.

Get around
Historic sites in the core downtown (centro) area can be easily reached by walking, but Irapuato is a mid-size city of about a half million people, so there are a number of parks and points of interest that are too far to walk or are in rough neighborhoods. You'll want to use a secure taxi (such as those called by your hotel front desk staff), or a ride-hailing app. Uber service is widely available in Irapuato and is one of the safest ways to get around. The city of Irapuato has an extensive municipal bus system that operates roughly from 06:00 to 22:00, though routes vary. Local bus timetables are here. The local buses are not intended as tourist transportation and caution is advised as routes may pass through risky parts of the city.

Do

 * Irekua Park: in the old Revolución Nurseries, it has an underground parking lot, large green areas, an artificial lake, a stone zoo, several sports fields, a small pond, jogging tracks and an outdoor theater.
 * "Acelerate" theme park: in front of the CRIT (Telethon), next to the Inforum, it has the following attractions: Go-kart racing track ( KAN ), "Eco" lake, "Villa Vola" (magical children's city ), "Mundo CR", "Baby Karts", "Cyber Acelerate" and restaurant.
 * Theme park "Eco Aventura Campestre": when leaving Abasolo by Laguna Larga. It has various attractions such as lakes for sport fishing, zip line, sports courts, vip cabins, palapas, camping area, swimming pools, small ponds, horse riding, running tracks and ATVs, interactive games, mud baths, temazcales, restaurant-bar.
 * Theme park "Eco Aventura Campestre": when leaving Abasolo by Laguna Larga. It has various attractions such as lakes for sport fishing, zip line, sports courts, vip cabins, palapas, camping area, swimming pools, small ponds, horse riding, running tracks and ATVs, interactive games, mud baths, temazcales, restaurant-bar.

Events

 * January 5 - Cavalcade of the Magi. One of the best parades at the National Level, it is a great parade of floats with biblical and Christmas pictures, music, fireworks and gifts given by the three Wise Men. There is a large attendance of up to 400,000 local and foreign people.
 * February 15 - Traditional commemoration of the Spanish foundation of Irapuato. Civic act, artistic and cultural shows.
 * March - Strawberry Fair . Regional fair with artisan and commercial exhibition; artistic, cultural and sporting events, inside and outside its new facilities, at the INFORUM where with the entrance fee (35 USD), you have access to all the games installed inside. this event has an attendance of up to 400,000 people from different cities of the country. In addition, the fair has a palenque, where after midnight the presentations of great artists such as Pepe Aguilar, Gloria Trevi, Los Ángeles Azules, Marisela, Amanda Miguel and Diego Verdager, Ha * Ash , María José , Marco Antonio Solís are made. , among many others.
 * March - April Easter. Respective religious acts: Santo Domingo or de Ramos, ceremonies of blessing of the bouquets or palms in different temples; in the Plaza Hidalgo, a large exhibition and sale of palms, with a high degree of artisanal quality, made by indigenous groups who came expressly from the States of Michoacán and Guerrero. In various temples: ceremony of apprehension of Jesus on Wednesday night. Good Friday: Ceremonies of the passion of Jesus expressed through representations of the three falls, in some temples, in others, the complete representation of the passion, crucifixion and death of Jesus, at night, realization of the Procession of Silence along the main streets of the historic city center. On Holy Saturday, it is lowered from its niche to the Image of Our Lady of Solitude, in its Sanctuary,
 * April 30 - Festivity of Our Queen and Mother, the Virgin of Solitude. Patron of the city and the Diocese of Irapuato. Religious acts inside and outside your sanctuary. The day before, he got out of his niche and covered the congregation with his cloak.
 * May 3 - Festivity of the Holy Cross. Pleasant commemoration by all the "sumbos" citizens in honor of this icon, representative and patron of the masons. Blessing of the decorated crosses and masses in thanksgiving, rockets, food and music, characterize it.
 * June 27 - Feast of the Virgin of Perpetual Help. Feast of the patron virgin of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, is celebrated in the temple of Santa Anita. It takes place a month before the Feast of Señora Santa Ana, it includes mariachi music, northern ensembles, kermesse and fireworks.
 * July 4 - Feast of the Virgin of the Refuge. Fiesta de la Virgen del Refugio, celebrated in the parish that bears the same name, includes mariachi music, northern ensembles and bands, kermesse and fireworks.
 * July 25 - Great festivity in honor of the Apostle Santiago el Mayor . In his neighborhood, known as Santiaguito, religious acts, kermesse, castle and colored lights.
 * July 26 - Feast of Mrs. Santa Ana. Patroness of the neighborhood that bears her name, Santa Anita. Mass, music, kermesse and fireworks.
 * August 7 - Festivity in honor of San Cayetano Confesor . In your neighborhood and parish. Mass, music, kermesse and fireworks.
 * October 4 - Feast of San Francisco de Asís. Religious and profane acts inside and outside the Franciscan temples of San Francisco and Tercera Orden. The ceremony is solemnized by the San Francisco de Asís de Irapuato Polyphonic Choir.
 * October 12 - Columbus Day . Popular festivals, highlighting the Pilgrimage carried out by the municipal DIF in the facilities of the old Strawberry Fair.
 * October 27 and 28 - Strawberry Festival . Thematic and peculiar Festival of Irapuato, held in the Municipal Palace, where contests are held for the best dishes prepared based on Strawberries (cakes, ice cream, pizzas, popsicles, jellies, cocktails, sandwiches, salads, strawberry water, yogurt, etc. .), in addition, all attendees can taste the hundreds of innovative dishes that are competing.
 * November 17 to 21 - the Irapuato Jazz Festival takes place in Plazuela Miguel Hidalgo, in the Dancing Fountains area in the Historic Center of the city.
 * November 26 - Festivity of Santa Cecilia . Patron of musicians, various festivities are held throughout the city, highlighting the evening parade, in which some of the guild's musical groups participate, through the main streets of the city and through some of its neighborhoods.
 * December - Los Barrios . Unique and characteristic festivity of Irapuato. Los Barrios, as these traditional festivities are known, arose in the century before last and were developed with the intention of honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe, in the 6 old neighborhoods of Irapuato: Barrio de La Salud, San Cayetano, San Miguel , Santiaguito, San Vicente and Barrio de San José. They are held in all subdivisions and neighborhoods of the city, throughout the month of December.
 * December 2 to 11 - Novenario in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe . Every morning, in some temples, rosaries of dawn. In the middle of the afternoon, processions from schools, companies, factories, etc., to its two urban temples: the Sanctuary of the Center and the Sanctuary of Guadalupe del Puente, the latter being the most traditional one that receives the pilgrimages of the irapuatenses. The day before, a huge pilgrimage, with thousands of devotees, organized by the construction union.
 * December 12 - Festivity of Our Lady of Guadalupe . All night, in its two temples (the Temple of Guadalupe del Puente and the Temple of Guadalupe in the Center) they receive mañanitas, pilgrimages, music, dances, aurora mass. During the day: masses, pilgrimages and popular hubbub. In the afternoon: kermesse and fireworks burning mainly in the Calzada de Guadalupe or Calzada Insurgentes where the Temple of Guadalupe del Puente is located, the pilgrimages generally start from the stadium, they go through all of Guerrero part of Revolución and Hidalgo until they reach the Calzada de Guadeloupe. On the night of December 11, the rooster mass is held at the Sanctuary of Guadalupe del Puente at 23:00, celebrated by the Bishop of Irapuato and solemnized by the San Francisco de Asís Polyphonic Choir.

Go next

 * Queretaro
 * Salvatierra

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Irapuato


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Iraq

Iraq (Arabic: العراق Al-Irāq, Kurdish: عێراق Êraq) is a republic in the Middle East. It has an extremely rich history and culture that is still visible today, although accessing it may pose some challenges to visitors. It was once host to the region of ancient Mesopotamia, often called the "cradle of civilisation". After the rise of Islam, Baghdad became a center of learning and the arts during the Islamic Golden Age. Its holy cities of Najaf and Karbala now accept millions of pilgrims per year from throughout the Middle East.

Iraq is a melting pot of different cultures, with the Arabs being the largest ethnic group. Other prominent ethnic groups include the Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, and Turkmens. And while Islam is the state religion, there are also various minority religions still actively practiced in the country. Most Iraqis are Shia Muslims, just like their Iranian counterparts.

The country has been in a state of turmoil since the 1980s. The government is dysfunctional, and the country suffers from a plethora of problems such as corruption, terrorism, and poverty. The legacies of Iraq's various wars in the 20th and 21st centuries are visible throughout the country, and still weigh heavily on the minds of its people. Ethnic and religious tensions, especially Sunni–Shia and Kurdish-Arab conflicts, still plague the country. Making matters worse, the country is struggling to manage significant environmental problems, including climate change, worsening heatwaves, water scarcity, and airborne carcinogens from oil burning in the south.

In spite of the difficulties they face, Iraqis are nearly universally friendly and generous hosts. It is common to be offered free food and gifts, and they are often eager to chat with you.

Cities

 * (بغداد) — capital of Iraq, and one of the cultural capitals of the Arab world with a long and rich history.
 * (الرطبة) — most isolated town in Iraq, deep in the desert.
 * (البَصرة) — large port city with extremely hot climate.
 * (دهوك) — Kurdish city surrounded by mountains.
 * (Arbil) (أربيل) — capital of Iraqi Kurdistan.
 * (الفلّوجة) — a city with over 200 mosques now better known for the sieges and battles fought here.
 * (كربلاء) — one of the holiest cities in Shi'a Islam. The Arbaeen pilgrimage brings millions of Muslims to the Imam Husayn Shrine here every year.
 * (كركوك) — an important cultural capital to the Kurds, Turkmen and Iraqis.
 * (موصل) — Once an important city in Iraq and containing the ancient ruins of Nineveh, now left mostly in ruins after battles with ISIL.

Other destinations

 * — former capital of the Assyrian Empire and UNESCO World Heritage site, this is one of the country's few great archaeological sites that has benefited from the latest invasion—the Hussein government planned to create a dam nearby that would have flooded and utterly destroyed the site.
 * (بابل) — damaged by inept reconstruction, looting, and military negligence, the ruins of ancient Babylon are still some of the most impressive in the Cradle of Civilization.
 * — the ancient capital of the Parthian and Sassanid Empires left us with magnificent, towering ruins, most notably of the magnificent Arch of Ctesiphon; just across the Tigris is the archaeological site of the ancient Hellenistic city of Seleucia.
 * — once a UNESCO World Heritage site, this formerly well-preserved Parthian city off in the desert contained quite possibly Iraq's most magnificent ruins, which were severely damaged or destroyed by Da'esh extremists in 2015.
 * — Home to the holiest temple of the Yazidis
 * (نينوى) — a 3,000 year old city and one time capital of Assyria, whose partially reconstructed ruins and archaeological site lies across the Tigris from Mosul.
 * (أور) — the ruins of the ancient Sumerian city, best known for its giant step pyramid, the Great Ziggurat of Ur.
 * (أوروك) — an ancient Sumerian city that was once the largest in the world during its apex circa 3100 BCE, and from where Gilgamesh once ruled. (Should be about 40 km east of As Samawah)

Understand
A country with a federal democracy, Iraq has a growing population of 40 million. As a member of the Arab League, it has experienced modern economic and military growth and historic instability through wars. Iraq is the home of the world's first civilizations, with a development of writing, agriculture and urbanity.

Beginnings
Iraq is the birthplace of many of the Earth's oldest civilizations, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians and Babylonians. A part of the Persian Empire from the 6th century BCE, the Caliphates between the 7th and 13th centuries and the Ottoman Empire from 1534, the Treaty of Sèvres brought the area under British control in 1918. Iraq gained independence in 1932.

Revolution
On 14 July 1958, the long-time Hashemite monarchy was overthrown in a coup led by Abdul Kassem that paved way to radical political reforms, including the legalisation of political parties such as the Ba'ath and the Communist Party, both key players in the coup (also called the 14 July Revolution). Following the Revolution, the Soviet Union gradually became its main arms and commercial supplier.

In February 1963, Kassem was overthrown and killed in a second coup that brought the Ba'ath Party into power. Internal divisions would follow for the next five years, until another coup on 17 July 1968 led by Ahmad Hassan al-Bakr (with Communist support) stabilised the party. Relations between the Communists and the Ba'athists ranged from mutual cooperation to violent mistrust, culminating in the purge of Communists from the army and the government by 1978, causing a temporary rift with the Soviet Union. On 16 July 1979, Bakr resigned and was succeeded by right-hand man Saddam Hussein, who carefully purged his enemies and became a dictator almost overnight.

Ba'athist Iraq
The next 25 years took a grinding toll on the country. Saddam Hussein's regime was notorious for its severe violation of human rights and many experts consider his regime to be among the worst of the worst in the world. Political dissent was not tolerated, freedom of speech was curtailed, and many Shia Muslims were routinely targeted and murdered by government forces, furthering the sectarian divide in the country. The harshness of Ba'athist Iraq forced many Iraqis to go into exile or flee abroad.

The Ba'athist regime was also notorious for its brutal, harsh treatment of the ethnic Kurdish minority. The Ba'athist regime forcibly deported Feyli Kurds to Iran, engaged in forced disappearances of ethnic Kurds, and ruthlessly cracked down on uprisings in Iraqi Kurdistan by responding with full-scale massacres. Perhaps the most brutal campaign ever to be organised against the ethnic Kurds is the Anfal Campaign, in which more than 200,000 Kurds were killed and tens of thousands of women and children were imprisoned and tortured. Because of these actions, many ethnic Kurds express feelings of distrust towards the Iraqi government.

When Iran became an Islamic theocracy in 1979, Saddam Hussein feared that Iran would threaten his leadership and control in a Shia-majority country, so he launched a full-scale invasion against the country in the 1980s, which would soon culminate into open warfare. To fund its military objectives, the Ba'athist regime borrowed extensively from other countries, pushing the country to near bankruptcy. Historians have documented that the Ba'athist regime extensively used chemical weapons during the Iran-Iraq war. The Iran-Iraq war lasted for eight years and it claimed more than 500,000 casualties. The war ended in a stalemate.

Shortly after the conclusion of the Iran-Iraq war, Saddam Hussein annexed and invaded Kuwait in the 1990s, claiming that Kuwait was an integral part of Iraq. Soon after, the Gulf War began and after a month, Saddam Hussein surrendered and retreated from Kuwait. International sanctions targeted Iraq, exacerbating the country's political, social and economic problems.

Present day
In the early 2000s, the United States accused the Iraqi government of having a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) program and organised a coalition of forces and invaded Iraq. Although they were successful in removing Saddam Hussein from power, much of Iraq's infrastructure was destroyed, sectarian tensions were worsened, and millions of Iraqis were forced to flee abroad. The WMDs were never found and the invasion and the handling of the aftermath of the war remain controversial.

Iraqi Kurdistan's autonomy was confirmed. While it never declared independence, it is de facto run as a separate country with its own laws, military, immigration and diplomatic missions, and where Arabic is not widely spoken. Iraq held its first post-Baath elections in 2005. Political tensions and instability continued and reached its peak in the mid-to-late 2010s when ISIS controlled large parts of Iraq. ISIS was eventually defeated and driven out of the country. Although things appear to be getting better, Iraq's security situation remains volatile.

Life for the vast majority of Iraqis has become incredibly miserable, and many have since emigrated in search of better opportunities elsewhere. Many Iraqis feel there's no hope or future left for their country, although a small portion of people feel that things will change in due time. The prospects of change seem remote at best, but hopes are high.

Some of the problems that Iraq faces today are universal throughout the Middle East. Issues include widespread corruption, lack of effective governance, sectarian and ethnic tensions, and negative influences on democracy. In the 2020s, Iraq has been trying to position itself as a hub of diplomacy in the Middle East, and hosted numerous rounds of normalization talks between arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, though the final agreement was only reached after a round of talks was hosted by China in March 2023. The country is slowly being rebuilt through Chinese investment in infrastructure under the auspices of their Belt and Road Initiative, with lucrative oil contracts being given to Chinese state-owned companies in exchange.

Since the toppling of Saddam Hussein, Iraq has had an informal power sharing agreement such that the prime minister is always a Shi'a Arab, the speaker of parliament is always a Sunni Arab, and the president is always a Kurd.

Geography
Iraq mainly consists of desert, but near the two major rivers (Euphrates and Tigris) are fertile alluvial plains, as the rivers carry about 60,000,000m³ (78,477,037 cu yd) of silt annually to the delta. For the early history see Ancient Mesopotamia.

The north of the country is mostly composed of mountains; the highest point being at 3,611m (11,847 ft) point, unnamed on the map opposite, but known locally as Cheekah Dar (black tent). Iraq has a small coastline measuring 58km (36 mi) along the Persian Gulf.

Climate
Most of Iraq has a hot arid climate. Summer temperatures average above 40°C (104°F) for most of the country and frequently exceed 48°C (118°F). Winter temperatures infrequently exceed 21°C (70°F) with maximums roughly 15 to 16°C (59 to 61°F) and night-time lows occasionally below freezing. Typically precipitation is low, most places receive less than 250mm (10 in) annually, with maximum rainfall during the months of November to April. Rainfall during the summer is extremely rare except in the very north of the country.

People
Before the large-scale murders by the "Islamic State" organization and flight from Iraq of members of non-Muslim minorities (especially Yazidis and Christians), Arabs who are 65% Shia and 35% Sunni Muslim comprised 75%-80% of the major population of Iraq. 15% of Iraq's population was comprised of Kurds (including Yazidis and Shabaks), Turkmen and Assyrians. Over around 20,000 Marsh Arabs live in southern Iraq. Indigenous Neo Aramaic speaking Assyrians, most of whom are adherents of the Chaldean Catholic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, Assyrian Pentecostal Church and Syriac Orthodox Church accounted for 10% of the Christian population. It is hard to be sure what current figures would be. Iraq once had a large Jewish minority that was estimated to comprise up to a third of its population, but that community was expelled with the founding of the State of Israel in 1948. Most of the exiles ended up settling in Israel, particularly in the city of Ramat Gan.

Holidays

 * New Year's Day (January 1)
 * Armed Forces Day (January 6)
 * Nowruz (March 21)
 * Baghdad Liberation Day (April 9)
 * Labor Day (May 1)
 * Republic Day (July 14)
 * Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (variable) Islamic religious observances
 * Islamic New Year (variable) Islamic religious observance
 * Ashura (variable) Islamic religious observance
 * Independence Day (October 3)
 * Victory Day (December 10)
 * Christmas (December 25)

Entry requirements
Citizens of all European Union member states, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States may obtain a visa-on-arrival at any official point of entry. All other nationalities require a visa in advance.

For those entering the country without a visa, one can be purchased at most border crossings for USD80 in cash. Total crossing time is around 1 hour for individuals. If you intend to acquire a visa at your port of entry, be prepared for long waits, and bring plenty of documentation about who you are and what your business in Iraq is. Letters on company or government letterhead are preferred.

Obtaining a travel visa to Iraq is complicated and time consuming. You can obtain an application at the local Embassy of Iraq. However, all applications are vetted in Baghdad. Even if you do obtain a visa, you may still be refused entry into Iraq once you arrive. Visas can be acquired in advance at the Iraqi embassies in London, Paris, and Washington, D.C.

Iraqi Kurdistan has visa requirements separate from the rest of Iraq, meaning that a regular Iraqi visa is not valid for travel to Iraqi Kurdistan; you will need to obtain a separate Iraqi Kurdistan visa for that. Iraqi embassies and consulates cannot issue Iraqi Kurdistan visa; you will need to contact an Iraqi Kurdistan representation for that. Likewise, Iraqi Kurdistan visas are not valid for travel to the rest of Iraq.

By plane
Iraq has international airports at Baghdad (BIAP), Basra, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Najaf. For passengers transiting these airports, connecting flight tickets are usually not available, so separate tickets are needed. This means that a delayed flight can miss a connection making onward travel difficult. Be prepared to spend many hours waiting for a replacement flight. Iraqi Airways will exchange flights quite easily when there is space available.

The national airline, Iraqi Airways, operates a growing fleet of more than 30 modern jets. Their main activity are domestic flights but Iraqi Airways also offers flights to numerous international destinations. FlyBaghdad also has local and regional flights to/from BIAP. There are some other small airlines offering domestic flights.

The best way from Europe to Iraq is either with Austrian or Turkish Airlines. Austrian Airlines provides four flights per week from Vienna to BIAP. Turkish Airlines flies twice daily from Istanbul to BIAP, and to Basra, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.

Within the Middle East, Royal Jordanian Airlines operates two daily roundtrip flights from Amman. Emirates and the low-cost carrier Flydubai from Dubai arrive on a daily basis in Baghdad and Basra.

The best connected and safest airport is the Erbil International Airport. Flights into Iraqi Kurdistan are offered by most European and Middle East carriers like Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Royal Jordanian and Etihad. Iraqi Kurdistan is safer than the rest of Iraq, and has thus seen enormous growth and investment since 2003. However, you cannot enter Iraqi Kurdistan with a regular Iraqi visa, so this option is not available unless you have a separate Iraqi Kurdistan visa.

Services to the city of Van, Turkey are offered by Turkish airlines from most western cities via Istanbul, from here a taxi will take you to the border for the equivalent of USD35-200 depending on your bargaining skills (Turkish drivers will only usually accept lira, euros or pounds sterling).

By train
The classic way of reaching Iraq was by the Taurus Express train from Istanbul, featured in the novel Murder on the Orient Express. However, since 2003 there have been no regular international passenger trains to Iraq and it is unlikely there will be any in the near future. For travelers to the southern city of Basra, an alternative might be to travel to the nearby border city of Khorramshahr, which sees daily trains from several cities in Iran, and then continue by taxi the last few kilometers.

By car
Cars can be the most dangerous method of travel into the country. On reaching the border it is advisable to leave your taxi/rental car, for an armoured 4x4, with an armed guard if required.

From Turkey
Driving in from Turkey is the best method of entry into the Northern part of the country. This area of the country is relatively safe, at least compared to the rest of the country. Border police and locals will advise you which cities are safe to travel in (Zakho, Dohuk, Erbil, As-Sulaymaniyah), and will warn you away from specific cities (such as Mosul or Baghdad).

From Diyarbakir, Turkey, you will drive south east to Zakho, Iraq. It is possible to take a previously arranged taxi, the average cost of this taxi ride is USD150 and most of the drivers only speak Kurdish or Arabic. You will often switch taxis in Silopi about five minutes from the Iraqi border, or you will change cars about 70 km from the border and continue on from there. The taxi driver will then take care of all your paperwork at the border. This involves your driver running from building to building getting paperwork stamped and approved. You must have a photocopy of your passport for the Turkish section of the border, which they require that you leave with them (the photocopy, not your passport).

A much less expensive option is to take a bus from Diyarbakir directly to Silopi. From the Silopi otogar (bus station), it's easy to get a taxi to Zakho. A good taxi driver can handle all of the photocopying and paperwork for the Turkish side.

At this point you will finish driving across the border crossing into Iraq. Your taxi driver will then take you to the Iraqi immigration and customs section. All persons and vehicles entering Iraq must be searched for contraband by the customs officers, and their vehicles are registered and pay some sort of stamp tax, however, occasionally, searches are not conducted. Without this stamp tax, it is illegal for a non-Iraqi vehicle to purchase gas at any of the state-run gas stations all over the country. After paying any import duties to customs and receiving the vehicle stamp, the immigration officers will check your passport and stamp it if you have a visa. Additionally, at some land border crossings, your fingerprint and/or photo will be taken.

At this point, you will be at the border taxi stand, a few kilometres outside of the city of Zakho, and may need to hire another taxi to get to Zakho's city centre. For the taxi ride from the Turkish city where you changed cars to Zakho, it's about USD40. This is a safe place to meet your friends or to charter a taxi into another part of the country. Enjoy some tea while waiting.

From Jordan
For land crossings from Jordan, be prepared for a long ride. The trip through the eastern Jordanian desert is much like a moonscape. The journey from Amman to Baghdad can take anywhere from 10-15 hours. You will depart Amman between 05:00 and 10:00, and arrive at the border crossing about four hours later. The border crossing can take anywhere from an hour and a half (on a very good day) to more than five or six hours. Entering Iraq usually takes about half as much time as leaving Iraq. The Jordanian immigration and customs officers are very finicky about whom they will let in, and they will often shut their side of the border and not allow anyone to enter for unspecified reasons.

The trip from the border to Baghdad is very dangerous. The route is full of highway bandits and gangs of thieves that prey upon unprotected travellers. Travelling this route without adequate communications gear or weapons of any kind is strongly discouraged. Do not make any stops along this route, if traffic becomes stalled for any reason on the highway (other than a possible IED), then it is best to make circles until traffic flows again. Vehicles, especially those that may be occupied by westerners, are subject to attack at any time. Carry extra fuel and plenty of food.

From Kuwait
Travelling from the Kuwaiti border is just as difficult as crossing from Jordan. The Kuwaiti crossing is complicated even more by the fact that Kuwaiti immigration and customs officers are even more strict than the Jordanians and anything at all can cause them to arbitrarily block your entry or exit. Sneaking into a military convoy is not advised as your vehicle might be mistaken for a suicide attacker by the turret gunners in the convoy.

Reliable but inconspicuous transportation is a must in Iraq. It is probably best to buy a vehicle that blends in with the other cars on the road. Toyota, Hyundai and Kia, along with less familiar Eastern European and Asian brands are common. BMWs and Mercedes are also seen in Iraq but are less common, especially nice ones, which usually have the steering wheel on the right side.

From Saudi Arabia
The border crossings in Arar and al-Jumayma are both open. However, these routes pass through some of the most inhospitable parts of Iraq and strict preparations are necessary.

By bus
Bus travel is a popular choice for locals to travel between Iraq and neighboring countries, especially from Iran. However, travelling this way can be quite chaotic and involves finding timetables and arranging tickets on the ground or by phone. One exception to this is buses from Turkey into cities in Iraqi Kurdistan where sites such as Obilet offers online tickets.

There's limited regular routes from other neighboring countries, with shared minibuses being the main option instead. JETT has intermittently offered a bus service from Amman, capital of Jordan to Baghdad. Third party nationals can also gain entry into Iraq for work purposes; these buses usually depart from Kuwait.

Get around
Due to the autonomous nature of Iraqi Kurdistan, travelling between Iraqi Kurdistan and the rest of Iraq will involve border inspections as if you were travelling internationally.
 * In Kurdistan, public transport is rare although regular buses do link Zakho and Dohuk and cost about USD2. There are plans of a public bus network in Erbil, which is estimated to be launched after 2020. From Dohuk, shared taxis leave all day for Erbil and other cities. The road from Dohuk to Erbil goes south near Mosul, but does not leave Kurdish territory and is thus safe, although perhaps too close for comfort.
 * Shared taxis might be the safest way to travel in Iraqi Kurdistan, as the drivers are not interested in leaving the province either.
 * Shared taxis also may be your only method of traveling around outside Iraqi Kurdistan. If you are a foreigner, expect to be stopped at most checkpoints. Be ready to tip or pay more than the agreed upon amount for the inconvenience. The checkpoints really start to ramp up north of Tikrit.
 * The road from Mosul to Kirkuk passes by Iraqi Kurdistan. Have your Iraqi visa ready.

By car
Driving at night may be a safer alternative to daytime driving, but a few rules to follow:

 * Avoid city centres. Although most Iraqis are asleep by midnight, the few that are awake are almost certainly up to no good.
 * Watch for the military. If you are out late at night and effectively trying to blend in with the locals, you could be mistaken for a hostile/troublemaker. At checkpoints, you will also be treated as a suspect, and until they decide you are not a target, you must conduct yourself carefully.
 * If you do encounter the military, ensure your lights are on, turn on your hazards/flashers, slow or pull over to the side of the road and follow any and all instructions given. If a stop sign, green laser, or any other signal is directed at you or in your general direction it is advisable to follow it, better to err on the side of caution than get shot at.
 * For those travelling to Iraq and make friends along the way, be extremely cautious if they offer you a ride.

By train
Overnight trains links Baghdad with the southern city of Basra, there are both a slow train taking up to 12 hours for the full journey and an express one making the journey in 6-7 hours. There are also daily trains between Baghdad and Fallujah as well as irregular services to the holy city of Karbala, especially during religious festivals. Train travel is considered relatively safe, mainly due to the extensive security checks all passengers have to go through before boarding the train.

All trains are run by Iraqi Republic Railways. Tickets can only be bought at stations.

Talk

 * See also: Arabic phrasebook
 * See also: Kurdish phrasebook

The two official languages of Iraq are Arabic and Kurdish.

The local vernacular is Mesopotamian Arabic, otherwise known as Iraqi Arabic. It has extensive borrowings from languages such as Aramaic, Akkadian, Persian, Turkish, Kurdish, and Hindi. Know that Modern Standard Arabic is rarely spoken in everyday conversations. However, approximately 68% of Iraqis are knowledgeable in MSA, so if you wish to improve your Arabic skills, you shouldn't have any problems. You're not expected to know the local dialect, but if you make an attempt to learn a few words of the local vernacular, you will impress the locals!

Iraqi Kurdistan is one region where little to no Arabic is spoken.

Kurdish is the mother tongue of the Kurds and it is spoken mainly in Iraqi Kurdistan. Two varieties of Kurdish are spoken in Iraq: Kurmanji and Sorani. Generally speaking, the use of Kurmanji is limited to Duhok, whereas Sorani is more commonly spoken. It's worth mentioning that Kurmanji and Sorani are mutually unintelligible. Any attempt to speak Kurdish will be warmly received.

English is commonly spoken. You should not have problems getting around using only English, but the downside of speaking English is that you'll immediately be identified as an outsider and may attract unwanted attention from some undesirable people (e.g. criminals, corrupt officials).

See
The past 40 years of disastrous government and devastating wars has taken its toll on Iraq's travel industry. After the fall of the Saddam Hussein government, which was virulently hostile to the Shia religion, religious pilgrims, mostly from the Middle East, Iran, and Central Asia, have returned in large numbers to the holy sites of southern Iraq, especially to the spiritual home of Shia Islam in Karbala. Religious pilgrimage remains quite unsafe, but there is a greater degree of safety in numbers, and in being familiar with the Arab region. And of course, pilgrimage is a more urgent reason for travel than sightseeing!

One can only hope that this great and ancient region soon sees increased security and stability, for it makes a fascinating travel destination for anyone interested in history, be it in ancient history 4,000 years old, medieval Islamic and later Ottoman history, or the modern history of the early 21st century. The aforementioned conflicts and misgovernment have not been kind to Iraq's ruins, especially in terms of the massive rebuilding done on ancient Babylon by the Hussein government and later negligence by foreign military presence. But the pull of such ancient cities as the Babylonian capital Babylon; the ancient city of Ur, of mankind's first great civilizations, Sumeria; major Parthian cities at magnificent Hatra and the capital Ctesiphon; and the Assyrian capital of Ashur, remains great enough to overlook the damage done.

The holiest sites of Shia Islam outside of Saudi Arabia are in Iraq's southern fertile heartland. The Shia-Sunni split in Islam occurred over a dispute in the mid-seventh century C.E. as to the true successor of the Prophet Muhammad, with the Shiites supporting Ali ibn Abi Talib, who would become the first Imam, and whose Caliphate capital was located in the medieval city of Kufa. Ali's tomb is found in present day Najaf at the Imam Ali Mosque, one of Shia Islam's most holy sites. The third Imam, grandson of the Prophet, Husayn ibn Ali, is widely revered as one of Shia Islam's greatest martyrs, and the two grand mosques of Karbala, Al Abbas Mosque and Imam Husayn Shrine (which stands on his grave) are the sites of the Shiites' most important pilgrimage, to observe the Ashura, the day of mourning for Imam Husayn. Samarra is home to another one of the most important Shia mosques, Al-Askari Mosque, which serves as the tomb of Imams 'Ali al-Hadi and Hassan al-'Askari. Tragically, this mosque is badly damaged, suffering explosions in sectarian violence in 2006, destroying the dome, minarets, and clock tower. Lastly, Al-Kadhimiya Mosque in Kadhimiya is revered, as it is the burial place of the seventh and ninth Imams, Musa al-Kadhim and Muhammad at-Taqi. Also buried within this mosque are the famous historical scholars, Shaykh Mufid and Shaykh Nasir ad-Din Tusi. Iraq is also home to significant holy sites of Sunni Islam, especially Baghdad's Abu Hanifa Mosque, built around the tomb of Abu Hanifah an-Nu'man, the founder of the Ḥanafī school of Islamic religious jurisprudence.

In terms of modern attractions, most are the big modernist sculptures and palaces of the Saddam Hussein government, located primarily in Baghdad (or on top of some of the world's most important heritage sites....) Given the warfare, external and internal, and government atrocities committed against its own people over the past 40 years, one can only expect that the future will see widespread construction of memorials to those who suffered. But such developments may have to wait until the nation's turbulent present settles down. In the meantime, it is possible (albeit often dangerous) to visit the cities and sites of battles that became household names throughout the world in the 2003-2011 conflict.

Money
Iraqi currency is the Iraqi dinar, denoted by the symbol "د.ع" (ISO code: IQD). Banknotes are issued in denominations of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 25,000 and 50,000 dinars. Coins, and banknotes in denominations of 250- and 500-dinars are rarely used.

While the dinar is the official currency, you will also be able to spend euros (€) and US dollars (USD) in many places. Most people do not like to make change for large denomination banknotes. Any defects in the bills (creases, ink stamps from banks, tears, etc.) will raise suspicion that you are a counterfeiter. Don't bring old bills with you, either. Carry mostly small bills in the form of Iraqi dinars for daily spending cash.

Some shopkeepers do not accept U.S. dollars, but most people will still pay large hotel bills using US dollars or euro due to the volume of notes required to pay with dinars. The conversion rate fluctuates from day to day and from town to town.

Learn the security features of the dinar and US dollar notes; do not accept pre-2004 "Saddam dinar" notes. The former Iraqi government was known to be making passable USD20, USD10, and USD5 bills, and these counterfeiters are apparently still in business.

Eat

 * Masgouf Considered as the national dish of Iraq. It is an open cut carp (a freshwater fish) roasted for hours after being marinated with olive oil, salt, curcuma and tamarind while keeping the skin on. Traditional garnishes for the masgouf include lime, chopped onions and tomatoes, and flatbread.
 * Tepsi Baytinijan Also very popular dish in Iraq. A baked casserole typically consisting of meatballs, aubergine, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and potatoes.

Drink
Alcohol is legal in Iraq and street vendors can usually get alcohol if you really need it, but again this is just asking to be identified as an outsider. Furthermore, while alcohol is legal many Islamic fundamentalist insurgent groups in Iraq have targeted alcohol vendors and users.

Sleep
Sleep in the hot summer months can be difficult. Sleeping outside and near flowing water is the most comfortable setting one can find outside of air conditioning.

In Iraqi Kurdistan, there are plenty of hotels and although they are hard to find in any travel guide, anyone on the street will direct you to a nearby place. There's no shortage in Zakho, Dohuk or Erbil. Rates run about USD15-25 per night for a single room with bathroom.

Work
Work in Iraq pays very well. Typical foreign contractors can make up to USD100k per year for security and administrative work.

You may also find some jobs in the construction sector, as the country's infrastructure is in need of desperate repair.

If you're an investor seeking to diversify your portfolio, you can set up a brokerage account in Iraq and invest in the local stock market. Bear in mind that you typically need USD20k to set up an account and all required documentation needs to be verified by the local Iraqi embassy/consulate in your country.

Stay safe
Although things are gradually getting better, the political and security situation remain very unstable. If you decide to go, strongly consider hiring a local guide. Many highways have road blocks set up by not only the Iraqi government, but also by various local militias, who will inspect your documents and question your purpose of visit.

Emergency services
Due to years of warfare and destruction, emergency services are unreliable and inadequate.

Corruption
Iraq is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Corruption is so deeply embedded in Iraqi society that even the Iraqi government struggles to fight it with success.

Brutality and corruption are rampant in Iraq's police force; such is the extent of corruption in the police force that it's not uncommon for police officers to bribe political figures so that they can climb up the work ladder.

In Iraq, while there are both corrupt and non-corrupt cops, and it's wise to be vigilant about any suspicious behavior, many officers are genuinely happy to assist you.

Foreigners may attract the attention of corrupt police officers. In the event you come face to face with a corrupt official, just be firm and polite. As upsetting as it may sound, try not to lose control of your emotions when dealing with an ill-behaved, corrupt official; rude behaviour will be responded to with rude behaviour.

Legal issues
The legal system in Iraq is slow, highly corrupt, and inefficient. Due process is hard to come by. Property and land disputes are common and they're very difficult to resolve through proper channels. Your embassy will most likely stay away from such circumstances.

Violence

Iraq is beset with numerous problems that may make travelling risky and difficult. The security situation, once perilous in just about any area of the country, has greatly improved in the early 2020s. Although pockets of ISIS sympathisers remain, they are far from major cities and it is highly improbable that a tourist would stumble upon them by accident. The vast majority of foreign forces have withdrawn, and resistance to the few remaining U.S. troops takes the form of sporadic rocket attacks on military bases, which are once again far from anything of interest to tourists. Nonetheless, these risks should not be dismissed outright, and as of 2024, the general situation in the Middle East means there is always a chance that the conflict could suddenly escalate again, and spiral out of control. Follow news reports very closely before and during a trip to Iraq.

Major cities, including Baghdad, are fertile grounds for political upheavals, kidnappings, and other underground activity, so tread lightly.

The central third of the country has historically been the most volatile, with the southern regions being less dangerous, but only relatively so. As of 2024, southern Shi'a cities such as Najaf and Karbala are heavily guarded by the military, police, and Shi'a militias. This may appear intimidating to at first, but in practice, it means that terrorist attacks are extremely unlikely. Millions of pilgrims visit these cities every year with no difficulties.

Meanwhile, northern Iraq, or Kurdistan, is mostly safe and most of it has suffered from very little violence since 2003, although border areas have been subject to sporadic attacks from Turkey, involving artillery, drones, and rockets. The Kurdish peshmerga (military) is over 100,000 strong and every road, town, city and even village has checkpoints going in and out. All non-Kurds are searched thoroughly and occasionally followed by the internal secret police. However fear not, this is why there is almost no chance of terrorism in the North. The police are friendly and everyone is happy to meet foreigners, especially Americans.

Although kidnapping has fallen greatly since the peak of the war, travelling alone makes you an easier target, especially if you are not an experienced traveller. If possible, travel with a translator/guard. Aside from dramatic threats such as kidnapping, this will also help you overcome more mundane issues such as the general culture shock, and language barriers.

There are comprehensive private and state security services available for your personal protection – you are strongly advised to use the available options for your own safety. If employed in Iraq, consult your employer on how to handle your personal safety. Independent contractors will usually have security provided by their clients, if no security is provided you should seriously consider not travelling to Iraq, if you must go you should hire armed security and get proper training in appropriate protective gear and survival.

Street crime
Compared to big western cities like New York, Paris, and London, the areas of major Iraqi cities of interest to tourists (such as in Erbil, Baghdad, and the Shi'a holy cities) have relatively little street crime. As proof of this, shopkeepers regularly leave their goods unattended in the street, which would be unthinkable in many "safer" countries. The heavy military and police presence (mainly intended to combat terrorism) has probably helped to deter street crime.

Aggressive begging is the one major exception to this. Due to the war, there are unfortunately many orphaned street children in Iraq. Some of them are very persistent, and if you are obviously foreign (and therefore comparatively wealthy) they will follow you around, and even grab onto you or hit you if you refuse to give them money. Keep in mind that they may be members of Oliver Twist-like syndicates, required to hand over their profits to a gang leader. If harassed by street children, the best tactic is not to give them any attention.

Stay healthy
It is not safe for short term visitors to drink the water anywhere in Iraq. It is best to always drink bottled water. It will usually be sold at vendors and large stores, and will be easy to find. Most Iraqi water companies pump their water directly from the Tigris or Euphrates rivers, treat it with ozone, and then filter it into bottles. Those with sensitive systems should not drink it. Many street vendors will offer drinks such as water with a lemon twist, which should be presumed unsafe for foreign visitors.

Those with experience in Iraq should use their discretion and past experience when purchasing drinks.

Drinking the local tea (chai) can be safe for some people since it is brought to a boil before serving, but when in doubt, insist that bottled water be used. Many kinds of water-borne disease, pollution, and infectious agents are not affected by boiling of water, and are still present in the water after boiling.

As a walk past an Iraqi butcher shop will demonstrate, food preparation standards are not the same as in Western countries, and consumption of local food can make a visitor ill. Try to bring your own. As tap water is generally not potable, you should especially avoid uncooked foods.

Should you find your body in the uncomfortable position of rejecting food and water due to something you shouldn't have drunk, immediately find someone who speaks Arabic and send them to a local pharmacist and request a product known locally as "InterStop" (similar to co-phenotrope/Lomotil). This works better than any well-known western brands.

Respect
The Iraqis in general are humble, hospitable and down-to earth.

General etiquette

 * The Iraqis are indirect communicators. They are tempered by the need to save face and they will avoid saying anything that could be construed as critical, judgmental, or offensive.
 * Sincerity and genuineness are highly valued in Iraq. Don't say something if you don't mean it. Don't say "next time" if there isn't going to be a "next time".
 * Iraqis are personable and often talk about themselves. Iraqi society values transparency.
 * Never beckon an Iraqi person directly, even if you think they have done something wrong. Being beckoned directly is considered to be very rude.
 * Never show the soles of your feet to others. This may be considered very disrespectful by most Iraqis, unless you are in the company of friends. When in the company of friends, it's still best to excuse yourself before putting your feet up in the air with the soles of your feet in the direction of any person.
 * Don't spit in public or in the direction of others. It is extremely rude.
 * Don't talk someone down for having poor English skills. Making condescending statements such as "You speak very good English" is extremely rude.

Things to avoid
Politics: Politics is a highly sensitive issue in Iraq. Most Iraqis express frustration towards the government and Iraqi politics are quite complex. Be careful when discussing Saddam Hussein's regime: it may bring up bad memories for some people. This is especially true in Iraqi Kurdistan. Show respect when discussing the Anfal campaign in Iraqi Kurdistan: it is a highly emotional issue. Be careful when discussing the Iran-Iraq war: it may bring up bad memories for some people. Be careful when discussing Kurdish independence, which is quite a sensitive issue in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Religion: Avoid criticising or speaking badly about religion. Even highly-educated Iraqis won't appreciate it.

title: Iraq


text:
Iraqi Desert

The Iraqi Desert is the western and southwestern part of Iraq, spanning an enormous but barely populated region of desert.

Cities

 * – home to a destroyed Iraqi Army installation
 * – home to a destroyed Iraqi Army installation
 * – home to a destroyed Iraqi Army installation

Understand
Al Anbar Province is in this region. If you are coming from Jordan, this will be the first province you enter. Al Anbar's terrain is similar to parts of the western United States of Wyoming and Utah. The climate in Al Anbar is similar to other high desert regions of the world.

The majority religious group in Al Anbar Province is Sunni, although there is a mix of religious groups in the Ar Ramadi area. Ar Ramadi is a modern day recreation of an old west, gunslinging cow town.

Get in
From Syria, the easiest way to get in is through the Since which has been open since September 2019. Keep in mind however that reaching touristic points of interest in the area from the Syrian border requires a lengthy journey through the desert, so prepare accordingly. It's advisable to stock up on supplies in border town Husaybah.

Get around
Al Anbar Province's roads are in the worst condition of the country. Constant roadside bombs and mujahideen digging up the asphalt to plant mines and bombs make the Al Anbar highways extremely unsafe for curious travelers. Even trucks wait at the borders until there are enough of them to make the drive. The idea is there is safety in numbers – if one truck is hit, at least the others could stop to help.

Stay safe
See the warning on the Iraq article for information on the security situation.

title: Iraqi Desert


text:
Iraqi Kurdistan

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (Kurdish: Herêma Kurdistanê/ھەرێمی کوردستان), also known as Iraqi Kurdistan is an autonomous region in Iraq.

Understand

Iraqi Kurdistan is comprised of four governorates: Dohuk, Erbil, Halabja, and Sulaymaniyah, administered by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). As an autonomous region, the Iraqi military is not allowed to enter Iraqi Kurdistan and the Iraqi government does not have the means to enforce Iraqi laws in Kurdistan.

There are disputed areas, such as Kirkuk and parts of the Ninaveh and Diyala provinces, which are regarded part of Kurdistan by many Kurds, but are not part of the autonomous region. They are not described in this guide.

Iraqi Kurdistan has long been a hotbed for ethnic nationalism. Throughout history, the Kurds in Iraq have vacillated between autonomy and self-determination, and this has often put them into conflict with the Iraqi government. Of all the ethnic groups in Iraq, the Kurds are the ones who are the most critical of the Iraqi government and many Kurds do not call themselves "Iraqis".

During Saddam Hussein's rule, the Kurds were severely marginalised by the Ba'athist government; they experienced Arabisation at the hands of the government and thousands were massacred in the Anfal campaign, a genocidal counterinsurgency in the 1980s. Many Kurds fled Iraq during this time.

After the uprising in connection with the Gulf War 1991, Iraqi Kurdistan achieved de facto independence. When Iraq was invaded in 2003, the Kurdish region was largely spared from conflict and their autonomy was made official in the new constitution. With a minimal level of terrorist activity and massive economic development, Kurdistan fast became a "gateway to Iraq" with high levels of foreign investment and development.

Since the defeat of ISIL, it appears that relations between the Arabs and the Kurds are showing signs of improvement. Still, the relationship is quite complex and tense.

Kurdish society consists of a variety of religions and beliefs (such as Muslims, Christians, Jewish, Yazidis, Kakayis, Zoroastrians, Yarsanis, Hawaris, Ahli Haqs) and they all coexist peacefully.

In general, Kurdish people are very friendly and hospitable, you can make friends with anybody and start talking to anyone on the street, so be open to new experiences.

Climate
Iraqi Kurdistan is cooler and wetter than the rest of Iraq, which is no surprise, considering that much of Iraqi Kurdistan is mountainous and hilly. Temperatures can fall as low as −2 °C (28 °F) and they can reach as high as 40 °C (104 °F).

Cities
The major cities controlled by the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) are

 * – Countryside with summer resorts, parks, rivers, green pastures and waterfalls.
 * – A city encircled by mountains along the Tigris river.
 * — The capital city of Kurdistan; its citadel, Hawler is a.
 * — The town that was the scene for Saddam Hussein's gruesome gas attack that killed 5000 people in 1988 now holds a number of memorials, monuments and cemeteries commemorating the event.
 * – In a beautiful region of Kurdistan, this town is famous for its mosques, which also have been centres of art and science.
 * – A town on the ancient the Nineveh trade route, it became capital of the Soran Emirate from 1399 to 1835.
 * – A historic city and a hill station, known for its waterfalls, trees, and greenery.
 * — The centre of education and culture in Iraqi Kurdistan. The city features the best museums – the Amna Suraka and Slemani Museum, and a number of pleasant parks.
 * – the main border crossing from Turkey.

Other destinations

 * – a tranquil, 2500-year-old Christian village.
 * – a 4000 year old town perched on the peak of a mountain, rumoured home of Biblical Magi, and confirmed home to Assyrian ruins.
 * — the famous caves in which the earliest human ceremonial burial site.
 * — a large man-made lake lying at an altitude of 900 m. Great for Friday picnicking.
 * – beautiful mountain road between as a shortcut between Erbil and Iran.
 * – site of ancient cave paintings.
 * — valley. The "Holy See" of Yazidi faith.
 * – 4th century Syrian Orthodox Monastery, the oldest of its kind, overlooking Mosul in its horizon.
 * — the largest national park in the Middle East, located by Choman in North Erbil, on the Zagros mountains.
 * — The only ski resort which is open in the region is accessible by a 4 km long Teleferic (cable car) from Bekhal. Has a resort and activities park at 2,127 m above sea level.
 * — the largest astronomical observatory in Iraq with a 30 m telescope, staring into the night sky from Mount Korek.

Talk

 * See also: Kurdish phrasebook

Kurdish is official language. Two varieties of Kurdish are spoken in the region: Kurmanji and Sorani. Generally speaking, the use of Kurmanji is limited to Dahuk, whereas Sorani is more commonly spoken. The two varieties are mutually unintelligible. Some minority groups speak other languages.

Arabic is understood by the older generation, but it hasn't been taught in schools since the early 1990s.

English is spoken by the younger generation and well-educated people. Outside the major cities, English isn't widely spoken or understood.

Some members of the Kurdish diaspora have returned and are able to communicate in languages such as Swedish or German.

Get in
Iraqi Kurdistan controls its own immigration, and has a separate visa policy from the rest of Iraq. This means that a regular Iraqi visa is not valid for travel to Iraqi Kurdistan; you will need to obtain a separate Iraqi Kurdistan visa for that. Iraqi embassies and consulates cannot issue visas for Iraqi Kurdistan. You will need to contact an Iraqi Kurdistan diplomatic mission, known as a representation for that. Travelling between Iraqi Kurdistan and the rest of Iraq will involve border inspections.

Citizens of all European Union member states, Albania, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland only), Iceland, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Vatican City may apply for an eVisa. All other nationalities will need a local sponsor in Iraqi Kurdistan to file the visa application and pay the visa fee on your behalf. If you are joining a package tour, the tour company will usually be able to arrange for a sponsor at an extra cost; check with them to be sure.

A visa for Iraqi Kurdistan cannot be used to travel to other areas in Iraq, which includes Mosul as of 2022. When attempting to cross the Iraqi Kurdistan border, you will be sent back at the first military checkpoint encountered.

Kurdish authorities may detain for questioning all foreign citizens that have crossed the border from Turkey. You may face deportation. Note that even Arab nationals entering from Turkey will need a "Kurdish guarantor" to enter the region.

By plane
Kurdistan is served by two international airports:

Carriers such as Austrian, Turkish Airways and Pegasus have daily flights from Europe and Turkey to Erbil International Airport. Pegasus (via Istanbul) and Fly Dubai (via Dubai) are often the cheapest routes.

In order to change currency to pay for your visa, just step right off the plane, proof your vaccination status, then go to the exchange money counter next to the visa counter, pay the fee and get the visa (in your passport or on a separate sheet).

From Turkey
Silopi, the closest town on the Turkish side, is connected to Istanbul and Ankara by bus. From here, shared taxis go across the border to Zakho, the closest town to the border on the Kurdish side.

Most connections from Turkey to Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah go via/from Diyarbakir and even Istanbul. From Diyarbakir Otogar, there are more than five buses leaving every morning and evening to Dohuk (450-500 TL, 7-9 hr) and Erbil (550-600 TL, 12 hr) and some less to Sulaymaniyah (550-700 TL, 14-15 hr). Buses to destinations in Iraq are cheaper than the Turkey-bound buses; maybe this is caused by longer queues on the border. Have prepared USD30 (towards Erbil) or USD40 (towards Diyarbakir) and don't be afraid to negotiate.

Border control at land borders can be fairly strict. If you have a contact in Kurdistan, come armed with their name and address. If you don't, make sure you have a very good idea of what exactly you will be doing and where you will be staying. You are also more likely to get in if travelling with someone else, and if you are well-dressed.

The border formalities may take as little as 45 minutes (entering Iraq) or as long as 7 hours (leaving Iraq). If you get to the Kurdish side of Ibrahim Khalil border crossing, work through the booths according to their number. Outdoors No. 1: vaccination against COVID-19, No. 2: (??), No. 3: bank booth to exchange US$/€ to IQD, No. 4: COVID test (only if not vaccinated). Same procedure in the “Passport Hall”: No. 1: check if you are vaccinated/your test was negative No. 2: paying for and actually getting the visa stamped into your passport.

From Iran
Iran shares two border crossings with Iraqi Kurdistan: One at Piranshahr - Haji Omaran (at the end of Hamilton Road in the northeast) and one at Bashmaq - Panjwin (also spelled Penjwen) (east of Sulaymaniyah), with the former being the easiest to catch connecting transportation from. These are the only two border crossings between Iraq and Iran that are realistic for travellers with foreign passports, since all other border crossings require Iraqi visa which are notoriously difficult to obtain.
 * — convenient for those travelling from Tabriz to Iraqi Kurdistan, ca. 150 km from Erbil. Rawandiz, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iraqi Kurdistan, is encountered underway.
 * — closest to Tehran and most convenient for those already in Iranian Kurdistan. This crossing is the closest to Sulaymaniyah.

There are long distance coach services between Tehran and Erbil crossing the border (ca. 950 km, 10 hr), but many travellers also rely on either private taxis or hitching.

The border is very safe to cross, although the numerous trucks transporting oil make it a somewhat unpleasant experience.

From Syria
There is one contested border crossing in the disputed region of Nineveh, northeast of the Iraqi city of Sinjar. This crossing is continuously changing hands between Kurdish militias, Sunni Islamists and the Iraqi Army. Going anywhere near this crossing is extremely dangerous.

By taxi
Travel between cities is largely done by shared taxis from the garages at each city. Larger cities will have a number of garages. Asking for e.g. "Garage Sulaymaniyah" will usually be enough. Minibuses do exist on routes between major cities, but are not as safe as taxis as they may make stops in Kirkuk or Mosul. Taxis are not that cheap – expect prices ranging between 7000 and 20000 dinar (USD 6–18) for a seat, but in most places they are the means of transportation. Minibuses cost about the half of taxis and take about 1½ hour for driving the distance a taxi can do in an hour.

Taxis are everywhere and are either beige or white with a couple of orange squires. Taxis usually charge between 2000 and 6000 dinars for an intra-city trip. Agree on the price before getting in as there are no meters. Most drivers will be fair, but you can often save a thousand dinars or so by haggling. Each driver will own his own car and tips are included in the price. On the roads between cities, expect to be stopped at several security checkpoints, at which the military may ask to see everybody's passports. Although these checks are usually quick and painless, make sure you have your passport ready as not to cause a delay for the driver and other passengers.

By bus
In the big cities there are fairly frequent bus services in the day, but no night buses. While confusing, timetables are available in shopping malls and major supermarkets, sometimes free of charge. Streets in Kurdistan are often designed in circles, and then named 10 Meter Street, 20m st, 30m st, etc.

By plane
Air travel between Erbil and Sulaymaniyah is available and cheap (around 100$ for a round trip), although this is only a 2½ hour trip by road.

By train
The railway is not yet operational, although there are plans to refurbish the line Between Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. Expect this to take a while.

By car
Driving standards are reasonable in Iraqi Kurdistan. Roads in the cities are in excellent condition. Traffic signals and signs are good and mostly observed. Speed cameras are present on many major roads in and outside the cities.

By thumb
Because of the low crime rates in Iraqi Kurdistan, hitchhiking is a safe, cheap, and convenient way of transportation between cities. Drivers will rarely ask for any compensation at all, and even make detours to drop you off where you want to be. Although rising in popularity, hitchhiking is not very common yet in Iraqi Kurdistan, so it may take a while before someone stops to pick you up.

See
Kurdistan is, at certain times of the year, a land of rugged beauty, characterised by mountains, green rolling hills, waterfalls and natural springs. It has long been famed in Middle Eastern literature as a paradise on earth. So do not expect a trip into the Iraqi desert when visiting Kurdistan. The country is at its most beautiful by spring, but don't expect particularly beautiful landscapes in the dry summer - unless you are fond of the colour yellow.

 * is in the centre of the Kurdish capital (Hawler is Kurdish for Erbil), and has been inhabited for at least 6,500 years. This ancient mound is one of the contenders for the longest continuously inhabited city on Earth. Nowadays, the citadel, with the slightly confusing bazaar beneath it, continues to be Kurdistan's most famous attraction and a recognized since 2014.
 * Parastaga Zardasht: An ancient Zoroastrian/Mithradate temple in Duhok province.
 * The famous caves in which the earliest human ceremonial burial site was discovered by German archaeologists. The area is now carefully protected; however, access is still possible.
 * also called (Gaugamela) The site of the famous battle between Alexander the Great and King Darius, is just under 90 minutes’ drive west of Erbil and close to Jerwana (Sennacherib's aqueduct to Nineveh).
 * is a 4th century Syrian Orthodox Monastery, the oldest of its kind. It is on the slopes of Jabel Maqlub overlooking Mosul in its horizon.
 * Alqosh, a tranquil, 2500-year-old Christian village in the Ninaveh province with shady streets, an old Jewish grave site and the Rabban Hormizd Monetary carved out of the cliffs high above it.
 * Delal Bridge in Zakho is the oldest example of an open arch bridge in the Middle East, dating back to Abbasid times.
 * Gali Ali Bag: The most beautiful waterfall in the Middle East. Just at the beginning of the Hamilton Road in the northeast of the country.
 * Bekhal: Another beautiful waterfall is near to the city of Rawanduz.
 * Jundian: An artificial waterfall on top of a Mestirus Cave is near the city of Rawanduz and also the Magical Eye.
 * Ahmedawa between Sulaymaniyah and Halabja a resort village good for hiking and yet more waterfalls.
 * Salahaddin’s Castle 11th-century castle ruin 30 km north of Erbil. Supposedly build by the famous conqueror’s grandfather.
 * Haj Omaran the ski resort in the north of the Erbil Province is no longer open.
 * Numerous religious sites of especially the Judeo-Christian faiths. Such as the Tomb of the Prophet Daniel in Kirkuk province, the 9th-century St. Thomas Monastery and Jewlakan, Jewish quarter of Sulaymaniyah, with its numerous renovated synagogues.

Do
Hiking: There are plenty of hiking opportunities in the Kurdish mountains; however there are few operators or facilities. Be careful of venturing too close to the Iranian border: three US hikers were arrested in 2009 accused of being spies after supposedly having crossed the border illegally.

Picnics: A favourite local pastime, especially on Friday afternoons. Whether it will be in the mountains or in the city parks, locals love to spend their free time eating and conversing with friends and family. Invitations to join the fun are not unusual.

Shopping: Erbil and Sulaymaniyah have had a number of new, modern shopping malls open over the last decade. This is the face of the new Kurdistan and there is no reason not to join in, either for the shopping itself or the people-watching.

Weddings: Coming across a Kurdish wedding is not uncommon. Neither is being invited to participate in the festivity. Kurdish weddings are quite big, with a lot of guests. Expect plenty of food and dancing; though only few will include alcohol.

Sports: Football is popular. Many towns have their own football pitch. Bowling and table tennis are also popular recreational activities. Alternatively there will probably a gym.

Eat
As is the case with cuisines from all over the Middle East, Kurdish cuisine is rich in meat and fresh herbs. Vegetarianism is relatively rare.

Staples of Kurdish cuisine are kebabs, dolma (stuffed grape vines), yaprax (assorted stuffed vegetables ranging from onions to zucchini), shila u brinc (the Kurdish national dish), gipa (similar to Scottish haggis), and biryani.

Shawarma is the most common street dish, and many food stalls sell it.

Drink
Tea is the most popular drink. Iraqi Kurds consume on average 1.5 kilograms of tea per year. Teahouses are found in every nook and corner and they are popular social gathering spots.

Fruit drinks of every kind are usually available at small shops.

Since most Kurds are Sunni Muslims, alcohol is not sold or served everywhere. In larger cities there are some (mostly Christian) neighbourhoods that sell alcoholic beverages.

Buy
The official currency is the Iraqi Dinar (ID). Money can be exchanged in major cities, and ATMs do accept credit cards. Foreign debit cards are rarely accepted however. Shops, restaurants, or hotels also rarely accept debit or credit cards, so always make sure you have cash dinars with you. Crime rates in Iraqi Kurdistan are low, so carrying around several hundred thousand dinar on the street does not pose a safety risk.

Stay safe
Iraqi Kurdistan is safer relative to the rest of Iraq. Crime rates tend to be low, and independent travel is possible without major issues. There is still high risk of terrorist activity in certain areas, and there is risk of attacks from Turkey. Cities near the Syrian, Turkish, and Iranian borders are unsafe.

Since many governments still advise against all travel to Iraq, your travel insurance company may not cover your trip to Iraqi Kurdistan. IATI is one of the few travel insurance companies that can cover your trip to Iraqi Kurdistan.

Security tends to be very tight in Iraqi Kurdistan, often to the point of irritation. For example, it's not uncommon to go through 6–8 security checks before boarding a plane. The Peshmergas (the Kurdish armed forces) can be found everywhere and are responsible for ensuring the external and internal security of Iraqi Kurdistan. As with all authority figures, if a Peshmerga asks you to do something, just do it.

If you are from an Arabic-speaking country or are of Arab descent, you can expect some unwanted attention from the Peshmergas. Do not be surprised or alarmed if this happens to you; just be polite and comply with their requests.

Do not bring drones into the autonomous region. If a drone is found in your possession, you will be detained by the Peshmergas and you will be treated as a suspected spy, militant or terrorist.

Do not take photographs of sensitive areas. If you do this, the Peshmergas will detain you and you will be treated as a suspected spy, militant or terrorist.

Respect
The Kurds are known for their friendliness and hospitality. They are generally interested in getting to know people and it's not uncommon for them to invite people over to their homes. You may expect them to ask very personal questions (e.g. your vocation, your marital status) about your lifestyle and who you are. Don't be put off by this; this is how Kurds get to know other people! If you feel a question is too personal, simply give an indirect answer.

You may often be invited to social gatherings (e.g. weddings and the like). If you've been invited, accept the invitation! This is one of the highlights of Kurdish hospitality.

The Kurds are not Arabs; they are their own ethnic group and should be treated as such.

Kurds in general tend to express feelings of antipathy towards Arabs and the Iraqi government. They consider it unjust and unfair that they've been harshly treated by the Iraqi government. Talk about Saddam Hussein and Ba'athism can very easily arouse strong emotions.

Show extreme respect when discussing the Anfal campaign; many Kurds lost their loved ones in the massacre and it can very easily bring up bad memories.

The Kurds are, to a large extent, secular, and they tend to have liberal attitudes towards religion. Most Kurds are Sunni Muslims, but there are also many Christians, Yazidis and Zoroastrians in the region.

The issues of Kurdish nationalism, Kurdish irredentism and Kurdish independence are certainly much debated. An independence referendum was conducted in 2017 in which many people (approximately 92%) voted in favour of independence from Iraq, but due to international pressure, the process was halted. Many Kurds consider it unjust that there is no independent Kurdistan. The issues are quite sensitive and divisive, so avoid discussing them with your hosts unless you have a heart for fierce, passionate debates.

The Kurds strongly condemn religious extremism, and many Peshmergas have been killed defending the region against ISIS.

It would be unwise to criticise or speak badly of the Peshmergas. They are well-respected and pride in them is strong.

Connect
Wifi access is widely available in malls, shops, and restaurants. It's not the fastest in the world, but more than sufficient to get around.

Mobile data is relatively expensive, and 3G connectivity is limited to major cities. SIM cards are available for 5000 dinars, with an additional 18 500 dinars for 5 GB of data.

Cope
The following sites can be helpful with information for travelers interested in Kurdistan: The Kurdish Regional Government webpage

KRG produced fact-sheet (PDF) on Travel to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

For more on daily Kurdish life, check the blog ErbilLifestyle.com.

title: Iraqi Kurdistan


text:
Irbid

Irbid is a city in northern Jordan, some 88 km north of the capital Amman. Archaeological evidence reveals that Irbid has been settled since the Bronze Age. During the Roman period, Irbid was known as Arabella. The city's ancient past now lies hidden beneath modern roads and buildings.

Understand
The main industrial and administrative centre in the north of the kingdom, Irbid is home to the Yarmouk University, the Jordan University of Science and Technology and a good range of services, making it a staging point for exploration further afield to Umm Qais (Gadara), Pella and other nearby sites within the region.

Get in
In Irbid, almost all means of road transportation arrive at. Once there, you can hire a cab or local bus to anywhere in Irbid.

The is just south from here.

By bus
To get to Irbid you have to start out from (Tabarbour) Transport Terminal in Amman. Buses to Irbid cost from 1 JD. From the same terminal, the more comfortable coaches run by Hijazi Buses Co. cost 2.10 JD and are more direct as they do not stop between Amman and Irbid.

By taxi
Ordinary cabs, recognized by their yellow or beige colour, are more expensive. But many of them have air conditioning, so they might be worth a try in the summertime.

Get around
You can get anywhere in Irbid by taking one of the many yellow or beige coloured taxi cabs. Unlike in Amman, in Irbid it is rare for a taxi to use the meter, even if you insist. Taxi rides in Irbid will typically be a set cost in increments of 0.5 JD, and you should negotiate the price before you depart. You can also take a "service" taxi or a bus, which have scheduled routes and can drop you off on the way. Ask the locals about the routes, because a) there are no regular departure time tables, and b) buses and taxi cabs wait up to take enough passengers in before taking off. You should not pay more than 0.20 JD

See
There is not much to see in the town of Irbid, but from there you can go on and visit several ancient sites around the city.

Do
The town's landmark thoroughfare is University Street, with restaurants, shops, and boutiques. The street is also known for its myriad of internet cafes, for which reason Irbid boasts an appropriate entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. Most cafes and coffee shops serve shisha (hookah), for 1.50 JD.

There are many schools and colleges in the Irbid area, including Al-Yarmouk University and Jordan University of Science and Technology. Students are mainly of Arabic background; there are also many American and Malaysian students.

Buy
There are many shops in Irbid, especially on University Street and the streets nearby, selling souvenirs, jewelry, and clothing. For international brands and souvenirs Amman is the better choice.

Eat
Try Al-Manqal, on University street, which serves decent grills and the usual Middle Eastern fare. You can also try Arabella and Al-Saadi. All of these serve the usual Middle Eastern grills, rice, hummus, and tabbulah. They're relatively cheap, especially for western visitors.

You will find all kinds of Arabic food to enjoy. If you want to eat like the locals, buy felafel sandwiches or hummus from one of the numerous small delicatessen shops. There are also many shawarma restaurants. All of these are very cheap: Shawarma sandwich: 60 piasters; felafel sandwich: 20 piasters; hummus dish to go: 40 piasters.

Finally, McDonald's is close to University Street Roundabout and Yarmouk University. For fast food, there are also Quick Burger, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Popeye's and other places, all on University Street.

If you're looking for something in particular to eat, ask the local residents where you can find a food establishment that serves it.

Drink
There are no pubs or bars in Irbid. You can, however, find numerous liquor stores in downtown Irbid. These are mainly Christian-run enterprises, open to everyone, and they sell both domestic and international alcohol and beer, at reasonable prices (although you should always ask about prices before buying).

Sleep

The hotels in the downtown area are old but cheaper than Al-Joud. The downtown, typically Levantine, boasts old buildings and it's noisy from the nearby traffic and people enjoying the night out.

Go next
To get to the following sites, either take service buses or taxis. Taxi fare shouldn't exceed 10 JD.

 * Jerash (and the Islamic Ajlun (Ajloun) Castle) — An ancient Roman City, and besides Petra and Wadi Rum, the most famous site in Jordan.
 * Umm Qais — A town north, almost 20 minutes from Irbid, is a Roman era settlement, close to the ruins of the ancient Gadara. Best reached by (rental) car or taxi.
 * Pella – Ancient ruins.

title: Irbid


text:
Irbit

Irbit (Russian: Ирби́т eer-BEET) is a town in Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia, about 203 km from Yekaterinburg by train or 250 km by car on the right bank of the Nitsa River. It is crossed by long distance railway Yekaterinburg–Tavda–Ustye-Akha and by road traffic routes, directed to Kamyshlov, Artyomovsk, Turinsk, and Tyumen. Total area of the town is approximately 64 km². Population: 42,578 (2005 est.)

Get in
There are a few direct trains from Moscow and more frequent trains from Yekaterinburg.

Buses run several times a day from Yekaterinburg to Irbit.

Get around
The city is well served by several bus routes running approximately every 20 minutes, and by frequent marshrutki (fixed route taxis) and several taxi companies. Maps of the city are available from the Konica kiosks and book shops.

Do
Irbit offers plenty of cross-country skiing, with trails stretching for kilometres. There are some downhill skiing runs as well. It will take you about 5 minutes to get to the Ski Base from the centre of the city by taxi. In summer the same area provides enjoyable hiking trails.

The Irbit Bike Show (Ирбитский байк слёт) is held every year at the end of July. It is organised by the local bike club as a celebration of the town's importance as a manufacturer of heavy motorcycles (see IMZ-Ural) in the Soviet Union and in Russia. Thousands of riders from throughout the Sverdlovsk region and other parts of Russia attend, and increasingly more foreign riders are attending.

Irbit round of the Russian Motorcross championships are held every August at the Hippodrome.

Eat
Staraya Melnitsa (The Old Mill) located on Sovietskaya St is the oldest restaurant in the city and has a good reputation. There is a pleasant café opposite in Detski Mir (Children's World). Another restaurant is found behind the Hotel Nitsa.

Drink
In Summer, beer tents pop-up in various locations throughout the city.

Sleep
Accommodation is limited to a few hotels.

title: Irbit