Northern Iraq - Geography and Climate

Geography and Climate

See also: Geography of Kurdistan and Geography of Iraq

The Kurdistan Region is largely mountainous, with the highest point being a 3,611 m (11,847 ft) point known locally as Cheekah Dar (black tent). The mountains are part of the larger Zagros mountain range which is present in Iran as well. There are many rivers flowing and running through mountains of the region making it distinguished by its fertile lands, plentiful water, picturesque nature. The Great Zab and the Little Zab flow from the east to the west in the region. The Tigris river enters Iraq from the Kurdistan Region after flowing from Turkey.

The mountainous nature of Iraqi Kurdistan, the difference of temperatures in its various parts, and its wealth of waters, make Kurdistan a land of agriculture and tourism. In addition to various minerals, oil in particular, which for a long time was being extracted via pipeline only in Kurdistan Region through Iraq. The largest lake in the region is Lake Dukan. In addition, there are several smaller lakes such as the Duhok Lake.

In the western and southern parts of the Kurdistan Region, the area is not as mountainous as the east. It is rolling hills and sometimes plains that make up the area. The area however is greener than the rest of Iraq.

The term "Northern Iraq" is a bit of a geographical ambiguity in usage. "North" typically refers to the Kurdistan Region. "Center" and "South" or "Center-South" when individually referring to the other areas of Iraq or the rest of the country that is not the Kurdistan Region. Most media sources continually refer to "North" and "Northern Iraq" as anywhere north of Baghdad.

Climate data for Erbil
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 6
(43)		 8
(46)		 14
(57)		 18
(64)		 25
(77)		 31
(88)		 35
(95)		 32
(90)		 28
(82)		 21
(70)		 14
(57)		 8
(46)		 20
(67.9)
Average low °C (°F) 1
(34)		 3
(37)		 7
(45)		 11
(52)		 17
(63)		 20
(68)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 20
(68)		 15
(59)		 8
(46)		 3
(37)		 12.8
(55.1)
Rainfall mm (inches) 66
(2.6)		 66
(2.6)		 60
(2.36)		 27
(1.06)		 6
(0.24)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 0
(0)		 9
(0.35)		 57
(2.24)		 78
(3.07)		 369
(14.52)
Avg. rainy days 10 9 12 8 5 3 1 2 1 6 7 11 75
Source:

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