The Kurdish people are one of the ancient people in the Middle East and Kurdistan, the land of the Kurds, is spread among several modern states northwestern Iran, northern Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey, and small parts of Armenia. According to various estimates, the worldwide Kurdish population ranges between 25 to 30 million. This makes the Kurds the fourth largest ethnic group in Southwest Asia.

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has experienced unprecedented development since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003. The Kurdistan region is looked upon as an example for the rest of Iraq on what can be accomplished through the establishment of peace, stability, democracy and planned economic development.

Peace and Stability
While some Kurds in very remote regions live in sometimes difficult and unstable neighborhoods, they are known for their hospitality and for having good relationships with immediate neighbors. Also anyone, regardless of whether they are a visitor, resident, woman or man, can freely move around and go and come anywhere at any time, alone. As a sharp contrast to the rest of Iraq, the situation throughout Kurdistan does not require armed guards, weapons, or armored vehicles. This leads to an atmosphere which is very calming and relaxing.

The Home of Flourishing Economic Development
One of the drivers of the economic growth in Kurdistan has been the construction boom that has been sweeping Kurdistan after the Liberation of Iraq in 2003. This growth can be expected to expand to the central and southern sectors of Iraq once the security situation there has become stable. Facilitation of travel has also helped fuel economic growth in Kurdistan and the road system has been widened and improved, new highways have been built and Erbil International Airport will have a brand new terminal boasting one of the longest runways in the world.

Economic incentives for foreign investment are also key factors in this growing economy. In July 2006, the Kurdistan National Assembly (KNA), the Regional Parliament, passed an Investment Law. This is a comprehensive and investor friendly law, offering generous incentives to foreign investors, including the right of full property ownership, tax and customs duty exemptions, profit repatriation and partnership.

In addition, the Kurdistan Region Oil & Gas Law, passed in August 2007 by the KNA is another significant step forward. Under the Iraq constitution, regions have the right to manage their own previously untapped oil and gas reserves.

Kurdistan offers opportunities and great expanses of land that are ripe for development such as the agricultural sector, with highly fertile soil and abundant fresh water reserves. Tourism is another industry that is underdeveloped in Kurdistan and could be very profitable. In addition, there are major investments on the part of the Kurdish Government in the form of projects for education, hospitals and medical centers.

Tourism: A Trove of Archaeological and Anthropological Treasure
Many significant sites within the region are revealing the secrets of history and deepening the pride in Kurdistan’s long-standing heritage and increasing international prestige. In 1970 an archaeological survey of Iraq identified more than 7,000 archaeological sites, almost half of which are concentrated in the Kurdistan region. These are:

• The capital city of Hawler, or Erbil, believed to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world
• Jarmo, situated in the foothills of Zagros Mountains, offering a rare glimpse of how some of the first farmers lived
• Shanidar Cave, located amid a complex of caves across Kurdistan showing evidence of the first migration of humankind
• Rabban Beya Monastery which dates from the fourth century AD, which use to be a refuge for groups of monks
• Khanzad Castle dating back to the Soran principality period, when Prince Sulaiman Beg and Princess Khanzad ruled

• Holiday Cottages at Lake Dokan
• Chalets and Amusements at the Pank multimillion dollar resort in Rawanduz
• Haji Omaran Resort, Medicinal Tourist Area

• The spectacular gorge leading to Kani Chinar
• The deepest canyons in the Middle East on the Hamilton Road
• Gali Ali Beg Waterfall
• Baikal Spring

LINKS
- www.krg.org (Kurdistan Regional Government)
- www.tbiraq.com (Trade bank of Iraq)
- www.tourismkurdistan.com
- www.erbilairport.net