Geography of Zakho

Zakho is one of the most beautiful cities in the southern part of Kurdistan. The city is one of the districts of Duhok province in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It consists of four districts: Rzgari, Zakho, Darkar, and Batifa, and 190 villages. Zakho is located in the western part of the Sindi Plain, which is an important and famous plain in the region in terms of agriculture. It has a charming climate and is located on the Khabur River, which flows through the city and divides it into two parts. The famous Dalali Bridge in Zakho, which dates back to the time of the Badinan Emirate, connects the two sides of this river.

It borders the northern part of Kurdistan through the Ibrahim Khalil gate, which is 10 kilometers from Zakho. The Ibrahim Khalil border in Zakho is the largest land border in the Kurdistan Region, which has made Zakho a very important position in the Kurdistan Region's economy. Zakho also borders Mosul, 114 kilometers from the city. It is also 25 kilometers from the western part of the Kurdistan border. The Khabur River flows through the area from the west. Zakho is the second largest city in Duhok province and contains about 71 neighborhoods.

Zakho city is 444 Feet above sea level and the population according to the latest census is about 35000 (thirty-five thousand). The total area of the Zakho district is more than 1035 square kilometers. The inhabitants of this city are Kurds and speak the Badini dialect of the upper Kurmanji dialect. The total population of the area is mainly engaged in agriculture, handicrafts, weaving, blacksmithing, and carpentry.

The majority of the population is Islam followers and a number of Christians, Yazidis, and Kakayis live in several villages and areas of the city.

History of the city

There are different opinions about the origin of Zakho, but Mir Jaladat Badr Khan revealed that the history of Zakho dates back to the Gothic period and many historians say that this city was originally an island on the banks of the Khabur River. The history of the city is ancient and the name of Zakho appears in some ancient Greek writings. Because of the burial of some historical and religious figures in the area, it was once considered a holy place.

The name of Zakho

Many experts and linguists say that the origin of the name Zakho goes back to the Aramaic-Syriac word Zakhosa/Zakhutha, which means victory.

Others believe that the Zenfon leader Zacharias passed through the area and therefore the area was called Zakha. Over time, the name changed to Zakho.

Some linguists believe that Zakho means strength and ability and is named after "Mount Zakh". There is also another opinion that Zakho derives from the word Ze Khwen, which means the river of blood and after an important and bloody event in the area, this name was given; this may have referred to the war between the Romans and the Persians, which caused a lot of kills.

Tourist places of Zakho

Zakho Castle:

Located on the eastern bank of the Khabur River, this castle was the center of the Badinan Emirate and was rebuilt in 1921.

Dalal Bridge:

Dalal Bridge, also known as the Abbasid Bridge or the Great Bridge, is one of the ancient sites of Zakho. According to historical evidence, the bridge was built of carved stones in 1527 during the Byzantine period. It is 4.70 meters wide and 140 meters long, built at a height of 16 meters on the Khabur River and has become a famous tourist attraction in Zakho.

Shransh Waterfall:

This waterfall is located 40 kilometers east of Zakho, a pleasant waterfall in the region, and in summer the temperature does not exceed 23 degrees Celsius, so it has become a tourist area in Zakho.

Great Mosque of Zakho:

The mosque was built in 641 AD after the Islamic conquest of the region and has become a tourist attraction.

According to the statistics of the Zakho Tourism Directorate, more than one million tourists have visited the province in the first six months of this year. The Director of Tourism of Zakho said: In order to develop the tourism sector and welcome tourists, we have started planning for 49 tourist attractions in Zakho city to put a master plan for these places, and the completion of the master plan will completely revive the sector.