Kalar (; ) is a city in the

Kurdistan Region Kurdistan Region (KRI) is a semi-autonomous Federal regions of Iraq, federal region of the Iraq, Republic of Iraq. It comprises four Kurds, Kurdish-majority governorates of Arabs, Arab-majority Iraq: Erbil Governorate, Sulaymaniyah Governorate ...

Iraq Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to Iraq–Saudi Arabia border, the south, Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq border, the east, the Persian Gulf and ...

and is the administrative center of the Garmian Region. It is located on the west bank of the Sirwan (Diyala) river in

Sulaymaniyah Governorate Sulaymaniyah Governorate (; ; ) or Sulaymaniyah Province is a Governorates of Iraq, governorate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Its largest city is Sulaymaniyah. Halabja Governorate was formerly the Halabja District, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Hal ...

, east of

Kifri Kifri (; ; ) is the central town of Kifri District in Diyala Governorate, Iraq. It has a mixed population of Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen. It is under de facto administration by Kurdistan Region, but remains a disputed area claimed by the central ...

, and west of the towns of Qasri Shirin and Sarpol Zahab, located in

Kermanshah Kermanshah is a city in the Central District (Kermanshah County), Central District of Kermanshah province, Kermanshah province, Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county, and the district. The city is from Tehran in the western pa ...

Geography

Kalar is a town located in the Sulaymaniyah Governorate of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains and is approximately 80 kilometers southwest of Sulaymaniyah city.

History

Kalar has a rich historical background, with evidence of settlement dating back to ancient times. The town has been influenced by various cultures and civilizations, including the Assyrians and Babylonians. During the 20th century, Kalar played a significant role in the Kurdish struggle for autonomy in Iraq.

Demographics

Kalar is predominantly inhabited by

Kurds Kurds (), or the Kurdish people, are an Iranian peoples, Iranic ethnic group from West Asia. They are indigenous to Kurdistan, which is a geographic region spanning southeastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, northern Iraq, and northeastern Syri ...

, with the vast majority of them being

Sunni Muslim Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam and the largest religious denomination in the world. It holds that Muhammad did not appoint any successor and that his closest companion Abu Bakr () rightfully succeeded him as the caliph of the Musli ...

. The town is known for its cultural diversity and strong Kurdish identity, with many residents engaged in preserving

Kurdish language Kurdish (, , ) is a Northwestern Iranian languages, Northwestern Iranian language or dialect continuum, group of languages spoken by Kurds in the region of Kurdistan, namely in southeast Turkish Kurdistan, Turkey, northern Iraqi Kurdistan, Ira ...

and Kurdish traditions.

Economy

The economy of Kalar is mainly based on agriculture, with residents cultivating crops such as wheat, barley, and various fruits and vegetables. Additionally, livestock farming is common in the surrounding areas. The town also benefits from trade with nearby regions due to its strategic location.

Culture

Kalar is known for its rich cultural heritage, with various traditional Kurdish practices, music, and dance. The town hosts cultural events and festivals that celebrate Kurdish identity, attracting visitors and promoting local arts.

Tourism

Kalar is becoming an increasingly popular destination for tourists due to its scenic landscapes and cultural heritage. The town features beautiful natural attractions, including mountains and rivers, which provide opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and other outdoor activities.

Climate

Kalar is located in the Garmian Region in Southern Kurdistan and is known for having a warm and dry climate, occasionally reaching over 50°C (122°F) in the summer. It is warmest in July and coldest in January. The temperature rarely reaches below 0°C (32°F) in the winter. According to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, Kalar has a

Semi-arid climate A semi-arid climate, semi-desert climate, or steppe climate is a dry climate sub-type. It is located on regions that receive precipitation below potential evapotranspiration, but not as low as a desert climate. There are different kinds of se ...

(''BSh'').

Notable inhabitants

Kawa Garmeyani Kawa Mohamed Ahmed Garmeyani, (1981 – 5 December 2013) well known as Kawa Garmeyani ( Kurdish:کاوە محمد ئەحمەد گەرمیانی, Arabic:كاوه محمد أحمد كرمياني) was an Iraqi Kurdish journalist. Garmeyani came ...

References

{{Kurdistan Populated places in Sulaymaniyah Province Kurdish settlements in Iraq