The Kurdistan Region comprises parts of the three governorates of Erbil, Slemani and Duhok.

The Kurdistan Region is an autonomous region in federal Iraq. It borders Syria to the west, Iran to the east, and Turkey to the north, where fertile plains meet the Zagros mountains, and is traversed by the Tigris, Big Zab, and Little Zab rivers.

Area: 40,643 square kilometers

The mountains of the Kurdistan Region have an average height of about 2,400 metres, rising to 3,000–3,300 metres in places. The highest peak, Halgurd, is near the border with Iran and measures 3,660 metres. The highest mountain ridges contain the only forestland in the Region.

Capital city: Erbil (also known locally as Hewler)

Annual rainfall is 375-724mm.

The climate of the Kurdistan Region is semi-arid continental: very hot and dry in summer, and cold and wet in winter.

Spring is the most beautiful season in Kurdistan and the time when Kurds celebrate Nawroz, the Kurdish New Year, on the spring or vernal equinox. Mean high temperatures range from 13-18 degrees in March to 27-32 degrees in May.

The summer months from June to September are very hot and dry. In July and August, the hottest months, mean highs are 39-43 degrees, and often reach nearly 50 degrees.

Autumn is dry and mild, and like spring is an ideal time of year to travel in the Region. Average temperatures are 24-29 degrees in October, cooling slightly in November.

Winters are mild, except in the high mountains. Mean winter high temperatures are 7-13 degrees Celsius, and mean lows are 2-7 degrees Celsius.

Weather

• The best time to visit the Kurdistan Region is in the spring months of March and April. This is the time of year that the hills and plains are green from the winter rains, water flows freely in the streams and the temperature is pleasantly warm in the day and cool at night.

• October and November are also nice months for sightseeing or spending time out of doors.  Beautiful temperatures and almost constant cloudless skies make the days very pleasant even without the greenery of spring.

• Summer months (May-September) are very hot and dry, especially on the Erbil Plain, often reaching temperatures as high as 50 degrees Celsius. It is slightly cooler in the evenings and in the mountainous regions around Duhok and Suleimaniah.

• The winter months can be cool with rain and some snowfall in the plains and with heavy snow and ice in the mountains.