The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq, with a population of 4 million and Erbil as its capital, is the size of The Netherlands. It has three governorates: Erbil, Duhok, and Suleimaniah.
Geographically it is diverse, ranging
from agricultural and dusty plains to northern mountains with natural springs
that border Turkey.
About an hour out of Erbil, travelling
northwest into the western governorate of Duhok (that borders Syria and Turkey),
is the District of Bardarsh (Baradarash) in Akri territory. It lies on the
transit route from KRG to Turkey on the southern side of the Nafkor Plain along
the Khazir River. The fertile land provides its citizens with non-irrigated
agricultural products, such as wheat, barley, chickpeas, lentils, rice,
tomatoes, onions, and sunflowers. They also breed cattle and poultry.
Bardarsh is the centre of the “seven tribes
district” of 76 villages and the Duhok Archaeology Office recorded 33 ancient
locations in the region. From 2007 when it became a district, there has been a
significant growth in schools, health centres, and reconstruction including tennis
courts and sporting fields to support its 126,000 residents.
Further north of Bardarsh District,
and closer to the governorate’s capital of Duhok, is the District of Shekhan
(Sheikhan) in Shekhan territory. Shekhan was named after the tombs of Sheiks—religious
leaders. This territory is closer to the mountains but is also regarded as an
extension of the Nafkor Plain and the Barbin Plain which are quite fertile due
to the Khabir and Gomil Rivers.
Along the side of the road, marketers
sell fresh fruit such as bananas, oranges, lemons, mandarins, apples, kiwi
fruit, and pomegranates, and vegetables such as aubergine (eggplant), tomatoes,
onions, green beans, cabbage and cauliflower—most locally grown and some
imported. I bought a few mandarins and a small bunch of bananas, imported from
Ecuador (incredibly fresh and delicious). Along the reedy river was a waddling
of ducks with iridescent plumes amid dusty brown feathers.
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