Ţūz Khūrmātū, Iraq
Region: Salah ad-Din Governorate
Geographic Coordinates: 34.877200, 44.638300
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 45.0°C (50°F to 113°F)
Climate: Hot summers and cool winters with occasional rainfall.
Population: 119000
Language: Arabic
Tuz Khurmatu is a small city located in the Salah ad Din Governorate of Iraq. It is situated on the banks of the Tigris River and is about 175 kilometers north of Baghdad. The city has a population of approximately 50, 000 people and is inhabited mainly by Turkmen, Arabs, And Kurds. The name Tuz Khurmatu means salt pits in Arabic, Which refers to the salt mines that were once located in the area. These mines were an important source of income for the local population until they were closed down in the 1970s due to declining demand.
One of Tuz Khurmatu’s most notable landmarks is its ancient citadel, Which dates back to at least the 5th century AD. The citadel was used as a military fortification during various periods throughout history and was also used as a prison during Saddam Hussein’s regime. In recent years, Tuz Khurmatu has been affected by sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia Muslims. In October 2017, Clashes erupted between Iraqi government forces and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters over control of the city following Kurdistan’s independence referendum.
Despite these challenges, Tuz Khurmatu has seen some development projects including infrastructure improvements such as roads being paved with asphalt instead of dirt or gravel roads; new schools have also been built with modern facilities such as computer labs; healthcare centers providing medical services to residents have opened up too. Tuz Khurmatu’s economy depends mainly on agriculture with crops such as wheat, Barley, Cotton among others being grown here. The region also produces fruits like pomegranates which are exported throughout Iraq.
Overall, While Tuz Khurmatu may be relatively small compared to other cities in Iraq it has a rich history dating back centuries that continues to be preserved today. Despite its challenges, The city remains an important cultural and economic center for the region.
- The Great Mosque of Tuz Khurmatu: A stunning mosque situated in the city center.
- Tigris River: The river flows through the town and provides picturesque views for tourists.
- Amadiya: A historical town located approximately 70 km from Tuz Khurmatu with ancient architecture and cultural sites.
- Kirkuk Citadel: A historic fortress situated around 50 km from Tuz Khurmatu, which holds significant cultural importance.
- Erbil Citadel: One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities globally, located around 100 km from Tuz Khurmatu, with many historical landmarks such as mosques and bazaars.
- Alqosh Monastery: An ancient monastery placed about 150 km from Tuz Khurmatu that attracts tourists interested in religious history and architecture.
- Dukan Lake: A natural lake positioned roughly 200 km from Tuz Khurmatu that offers boating activities and scenic views for tourists visiting Iraq’s Kurdistan region.
- Oil and gas production
- Agriculture
- Small-scale manufacturing
The city is home to several oil fields and refineries which provide employment opportunities for local residents. Agriculture is also an important industry in the region with many farmers growing crops such as wheat, barley, and cotton. Additionally, there are a number of small-scale manufacturing businesses in Ţūz Khūrmātū that produce goods such as textiles and food products.
- The Battle of Tuz Khurmatu (2014): Iraqi security forces fought against ISIS militants in Tuz Khurmatu resulting in the town’s liberation from ISIS control.
- The Kurdish uprising (1991): In the aftermath of the Gulf War, Kurdish rebels rose up against Saddam Hussein’s regime in Tuz Khurmatu and other parts of northern Iraq.
- Sheikh Mahmoud Al-Sarkhi Al-Jawhari: A prominent Sufi scholar and religious leader who lived in Tuz Khurmatu during the 19th century.
- The Turkmen community: A significant population of Turkmen people reside in Tuz Khurmatu, playing an important role in shaping the town’s culture and history.
- Saddam Hussein’s regime: During his rule, Saddam Hussein committed numerous atrocities against Kurds and other minorities living in Tuz Khurmatu and other parts of northern Iraq.
- Al-Mustafa Mosque
- Tuz Khurmatu Museum
- Qal’at Sherqat Castle
- Al-Askari Shrine
- Samara Archaeological City
- Ali Air Base Memorial
- Tikrit Museum
- Salahaddin University-Erbil Art Gallery
- Sulaymaniyah Museum
- Erbil Citadel
- There is limited information available online about sports teams and their histories in Ţūz Khūrmātū, Iraq.
- This may be due to the fact that the town has been affected by conflict and instability in recent years.
- However, it is known that football (soccer) is a popular sport in Iraq and it is likely that there are local football clubs or teams in Ţūz Khūrmātū.
- Additionally, other sports such as basketball and volleyball may also be played at a recreational level.
- It should be noted that due to security concerns and ongoing conflict in the region, organized sports activities may be limited or disrupted.
- Eid al-Fitr
- Ashura
- Arbaeen
- Newroz (Kurdish New Year)
- Baghdad International Film Festival
- Babylon Festival of International Theatre and Arts
It is recommended that you reach out to local tourism boards or event organizers for more detailed information on particular events in Ţūz Khūrmātū or other Iraqi cities/towns/villages as they may differ from year to year depending on local customs and traditions.
- Kebab restaurants – There are several kebab restaurants in Ţūz Khūrmātū that offer delicious grilled meat dishes.
- Shawarma shops – Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern fast food dish made with meat (usually chicken or beef), vegetables, and sauces wrapped in pita bread.
- Iraqi-style biryani – Biryani is a rice dish that is popular all over the world; however, each country has its variation of it. In Iraq, the biryani typically includes lamb or chicken and flavored with spices like cumin and cardamom.
- Falafel stands – Falafel is another Middle Eastern favorite that consists of deep-fried balls made from ground chickpeas and spices.
- Al-Ma’moon restaurant – This restaurant serves traditional Iraqi cuisine such as lamb kebabs, chicken tikka masala, and hummus.
- Al-Baghdadiya restaurant – This restaurant offers a variety of dishes including shawarma wraps, grilled meats served with rice or bread, salads and soups.
- Al-Sultan Restaurant- This place offers traditional Iraqi dishes such as kubba halabiya (stuffed bulgur wheat dough), dolma (stuffed grape leaves), margoog (vegetable soup) among others.
- Al-Rashid Park: This is a popular park located in the city center of Ţūz Khūrmātū. It has a playground, walking paths, picnic areas, and sports facilities.
- Football fields: Football (soccer) is a popular sport in Iraq and there may be several football fields or pitches available for public use in Ţūz Khūrmātū.
- Al-Tahrir Sports Club: This is a local sports club that may offer various recreational activities such as swimming, weightlifting, and martial arts.
- Cultural events: Depending on the season and local traditions, there may be cultural events such as festivals or fairs that offer entertainment and recreation for residents of Ţūz Khūrmātū.
It’s important to note that due to ongoing security concerns in Iraq, it’s recommended to check with local authorities or travel advisories before visiting public places or participating in outdoor activities.
