# Sulaymaniyah

> city in Iraq

**Wikidata**: [Q191204](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q191204)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulaymaniyah)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sulaymaniyah

## Summary
Sulaymaniyah is a major city in northern Iraq, founded in 1784, and a key cultural and administrative center in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Recognized as a UNESCO City of Literature since 2019, it is known for its rich history, diverse population, and modern significance in Kurdish culture and politics.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1784 by Mir Soran of the Baban dynasty.
- Population: 878,146 (as of 2018).
- Located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, serving as the capital of Sulaymaniyah Governorate.
- Coordinates: 35°33′N 45°26′E (lat: 35.55, lon: 45.4333).
- Elevation: 882 meters above sea level.
- Member of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (City of Literature, designated in 2019).
- Twin city: Tucson, Arizona, USA.
- Official website: http://www.sharawani.com.
- Time zone: UTC+03:00.
- Languages spoken: Sorani Kurdish (primary), Arabic, and others.
- Administrative divisions: Part of Sulaymaniyah Governorate (until 1991) and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (since 1991).
- Identifiers: VIAF ID 120148819, GeoNames ID 98463, GND ID 4793408-6.

## FAQs
- **Where is Sulaymaniyah located?**  
  Sulaymaniyah is situated in northern Iraq, within the Kurdistan Region, and serves as the capital of Sulaymaniyah Governorate. It lies at coordinates 35°33′N 45°26′E.

- **When was Sulaymaniyah founded?**  
  The city was founded in 1784 by Mir Soran, a ruler of the Baban dynasty, as a strategic and trading hub.

- **What is Sulaymaniyah’s cultural significance?**  
  It is recognized as a UNESCO City of Literature (since 2019) and is a major center for Kurdish culture, education, and media, with numerous universities and festivals.

- **What administrative region does Sulaymaniyah belong to?**  
  Since 1991, it has been part of the autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq, though historically it was within the Ottoman-era Shahrizor eyalet.

- **How many people live in Sulaymaniyah?**  
  As of 2018, the city’s population is 878,146, making it one of Iraq’s larger urban centers.

## Why It Matters
Sulaymaniyah is a cornerstone of Kurdish identity and a symbol of regional autonomy in Iraq. Its founding in the 18th century marked it as a center of trade and politics, while its modern status as a UNESCO City of Literature underscores its enduring cultural influence. The city plays a critical role in education, media, and economic development in the Kurdistan Region, serving as a bridge between traditional heritage and contemporary progress.

## Notable For
- UNESCO City of Literature designation (2019).
- Historic founding by the Baban dynasty in 1784.
- Home to prominent Kurdish cultural institutions and universities.
- Strategic location in the Kurdistan Region’s political and economic landscape.
- Diverse linguistic heritage, with Sorani Kurdish as the predominant language.

## Body

### History
Sulaymaniyah was founded in 1784 by Mir Soran, a ruler of the Baban dynasty, as a fortified town to counter Ottoman influence. It later became part of the Ottoman Empire’s Shahrizor eyalet. The city has witnessed significant political shifts, including incorporation into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in 1991 following the Gulf War.

### Geography
- **Coordinates**: 35°33′N 45°26′E (35.55° lat, 45.4333° lon).  
- **Elevation**: 882 meters above sea level, nestled in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains.  
- **Climate**: Experiences a Mediterranean-influenced climate with hot summers and cool, wet winters.

### Administration
- **Capital of**: Sulaymaniyah Governorate and historically of the Ottoman Shahrizor eyalet.  
- **Autonomy**: Part of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq since 1991, granting it self-governance distinct from federal Iraq.  
- **Twinned with**: Tucson, Arizona, USA, fostering international cultural and economic ties.

### Culture & Education
- **UNESCO Recognition**: Designated a City of Literature in 2019 for its vibrant literary scene and annual book festivals.  
- **Languages**: Sorani Kurdish is the primary language, with Arabic and Turkish also widely spoken.  
- **Institutions**: Hosts several universities, including the University of Sulaymaniyah, and is a hub for Kurdish media and arts.

### Demographics
- **Population**: 878,146 (2018 estimate), reflecting its status as one of Iraq’s larger cities.  
- **Ethnic Diversity**: Predominantly Kurdish, with smaller communities of Arabs, Turkmen, and others.

### Infrastructure & Economy
- **Website**: Official municipal resources available at http://www.sharawani.com.  
- **Transport**: Served by Sulaymaniyah International Airport and regional highways linking to Erbil and Baghdad.  
- **Economy**: Driven by trade, agriculture, and public services, with growing sectors in technology and tourism.

### Connected Entities
- **Creative Cities Network**: Joined UNESCO’s network in 2019, emphasizing literary exchange.  
- **Geographic Identifiers**: UN/LOCODE IQSYH, GeoNames ID 98463, and OpenStreetMap node 663060430.  
- **Cultural Categories**: Featured in Wikimedia projects under "Category:Sulaymaniyah" and documented in the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](https://en.unesco.org/creative-cities/events/unesco-designates-66-new-creative-cities)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. MusicBrainz
5. GeoNames
6. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/iq.htm)
7. Quora
8. KBpedia