The wonders of the Kurdistan Region city of Ranya

Surrounded by Kewa Rash (the Black Mountain), Ranya is a large city located about 100 kilometers from the Kurdistan Region capital of Erbil. Rany's numerous attractions, including Darband, Ganaw, Ranya Forest, Akoyan, Betwata, and many others, have made it a popular tourist destination.

Locals take great pride in Ranya's title being "the Gateway of the Uprising," a reference to it being the starting point of the 1991 Kurdish uprising against the Saddam Hussein regime, which came after then-US president George H.W. Bush's ceasefire as the Gulf War came to a close.

Although the uprising was followed by a brutally repressive campaign by the Saddam government that led to a mass exodus, another US-led operation offered returning Kurdish refugees a haven that, along with sustained efforts by the Kurdish leadership, laid the foundations for the establishment of the Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq.

"I heard the stories from my father, about how civilians fought against the regime," Shikar Khalid, 27, a Ranya local, told Kurdistan 24. "We are all proud of this brave city."

Besides its historical importance, Ranya is also an agricultural hub, as well as a tourism magnet. Its 600 acres forest, just one kilometer from the city's center, provides tourists a stunning greenbelt for picnicking and sightseeing.

"Each year, we produce all kinds of fruits and vegetables and food such as okra, cucumber, watermelon, rice, and many others," said Jutyar Kareem, a local farmer. "The rice we make in this area is one of the best in Kurdistan."

"Ranya's forest is very close to the water of Darband. That is why so many tourists do their picnics here," said Karzan Salim, a visitor from Erbil. "Even in winter, the forest is still amazing to visit."

Locals believe the water from a spring locally known as Qure Goyee, just five km from the city center, offers some healing properties for skin conditions. "I have used it for my children's skin rashes," Kareem said. "It works like magic."

One frequented attraction is Darband-i Ranya (Ranya Strait), located six kilometers from the city's center and providing a spectacular view of the Little Zab stream flowing into Dukan Lake. The valleys of Akoyan, Shawra, and Dole also offer many scenic views.

Ranya is also home to a 4000-year-old settlement from the ancient Assyrian era, excavated by a team of Danish archaeologists in 1957.

"This ancient site is called Shamshara, which was once the capital of the Assyrian Empire," said Rostam Nazim, a local historian. "This site has so much potential, and tourists love it."

“Ranya has many wonders,” Salim added. "For me, it is a part of paradise on earth."