About Dohuk City

Dohuk governorate, population 800,000, is the western governorate of the Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq. As a result of its position on the international highway between Iraq and Turkey it has become a stopping point for trade and communication. Dohuk is a pastel city with its many buildings painted in blues, pinks, oranges, greens, yellows, and browns. The city is situated 450 meters above sea level and lies in a broad valley between two mountain ridges on its north and south. The western end of the valley rises to become an undulating plain some 300 to 600 meters above sea level, while its eastern end is intersected by mountains rising to 3,286 meters above sea level. Despite the hot summers, the climate is considered to be pleasant with a relatively long spring and pleasant autumn seasons. Dohuk has a rich heritage illustrated by its many antiquities dating back several centuries. Hallamata Cave (Eshkefta Hallamata) contains sculptures believed to date back to 705-681 BC. Other sculptures near Dohuk Valley were discovered in a cave in the northern mountain ridge and are believe to have formed part of an ancient Zoroastrian temple. Dohuk city is a multi-cultural, multi-religious community with a predominantly Kurdish population. Muslim, Christian, and Yezidi Kurds live side by side in harmony. There are many traditional festival days with ceremonies and activities. The majority of people in the city are Kurdish speaking. Dohuk is regarded as one of the leading commercial, educational, and cultural centers in Iraqi Kurdistan.