Akre City

Akre is one of the ancient cities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Administratively, it is among the most historically significant districts in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq and falls under Duhok Governorate. The city is approximately 95 kilometers away from Mosul and 120 kilometers to the southeast of Duhok. According to the 2024 census, the district’s total population is 216,146.

1. Introduction and Administrative Status

Akre District consists of the city centre and three sub-districts:

Bijeel
Dinarta
Girdasen

2. Geography and Climate

Topography: Akre is surrounded by three high mountain ranges. The city centre is roughly 280 metres above sea level, while the peak of Mount Kalê rises above 450 metres. The total area of the district is 6,418 km².

Boundaries: The district is bordered to the northeast by Mergasur District, to the east by the Soran Independent Administration, to the north by Amedi District, to the west by Shikhan District, and to the south by Bardarash, near the city of Mosul.

Climate: Akre has a pleasant and temperate climate. Winters are cold and snowy, springs are green and scenic, summers are warm and dry, and autumns are cool with beautiful landscapes.

3. History and Name

Human settlement in Akre dates back to the Chalcolithic period, around 700 BC. The city is believed to have been founded by a Zaradashti ruler named “Mir Zand”.

The Name “Akre”: The name has ancient religious roots and is likely derived from the word Agir (meaning “fire”), a sacred symbol in Zaradashtian belief. Arabic historical sources record it as ʿAqra. The Mosul historian Yaseen Khairallah al-Omari, admiring its beauty and panoramic views, famously called Akre the “Little Constantinople.”

Ethnicity, Coexistence, and Administrative History: Akre has long been a place of coexistence among three religious communities — Zaradashti, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Its population is predominantly Kurdish, and during the era of the Kurdish Emirates, it was part of the Bahdinan Emirate. Historical records show that Akre was formally established as a district in 1847 during the Ottoman period.

4. Historical and Architectural Heritage

Akre Citadel: Built around 580 B.C. on a rocky hill to the north of the city, the citadel stands 450 metres above ground level. It contains several rooms and is enclosed by large stone walls measuring 11 metres in height, with a wide gateway in the centre that once served as a place for rulers and kings.

Qishla of Akre: One of the district’s most important historical buildings, Qishla is located at the heart of the old Akre bazaar. It is known as the Ottoman Qishla, having been built during the Ottoman era.

Shush Castle and Gundik Cave: Among the city’s ancient heritage sites, their origins trace back to the Assyrian period and earlier. The district also contains numerous other ancient sites of significant archaeological value.

Urban Architecture: Akre possesses some of the most attractive scenery in the region. The old neighborhoods are built in tiers along the mountain slopes — an architectural style unique to the region that gives the city a memorable and picturesque view.

5. Agriculture and Industry

Akre holds an important place in the agricultural landscape of southern Kurdistan. Its products meet local needs and are also exported to other cities. Main agricultural products include:

Akre Rice: widely recognized and highly sought after across the region.
Figs, pomegranates, Sumac, potatoes, pistachios, cucumbers, tomatoes, and more.

The city also has a growing industrial base, with several local production facilities including rice, Sumac, and Tahini production; dairy and natural product factories; olive oil production facilities; and various manufacturing plants that process raw materials into industry-ready products.

6. Tourism and The city as “Capital of Newroz”

The city’s attractive natural beauty, water sources, and lush greenery have made it a popular tourist destination. Resorts such as Sipa, Kani Zark, Gali Sheikh Abdul-Aziz, Kani Tuz, Sipa Bijeel, Gali Zanta, Nahla Resorts, and the Bakurman Area attract tens of thousands of visitors each year from across Iraq and foreign countries.

One of Akre’s most celebrated traditions is Newroz. Each year, thousands of torches are lit, and the Kurdistan flag is raised on the peaks of Kalê and Kala Kavin, creating a spectacular and deeply symbolic event. In recognition of this tradition, Kurdistan Regional Government has formally designated Akre as the “Capital of Newroz.” Every year on 21 March, thousands of local and foreign visitors come to take part in the celebration.

7. Education and Academic Life

Akre has been a centre of learning and intellectual life for centuries and has been home to many scholars, religious study schools, and modern learning institutions throughout different historical periods. Today, under Kurdistan Regional Government, this tradition continues. The city is now home to a leading and modern institution of higher education — Akre University for Applied Sciences, established in 2023 by the Ninth Cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government.