Şırnak is a town situated close to Hakkari province, surrounded by majestic mountains and serving as a crucial gateway between Turkey and various Middle Eastern countries. With a population of approximately 530,000, it spans an area of 7,172 square kilometers and includes six districts: Beytüşşebap, Cizre, Güçlükonak, İdil, Silopi, and Uludere.
According to local legend, the original name of Şırnak was "Şehr-i Nuh" (meaning the city of Noah), attributed to its proximity to Cudi Mountain, believed to be the resting place of Noah’s Ark after the Great Flood, as narrated in the tale of Ararat. Over centuries, the name gradually changed to "Sernah". During the era of the Guti Empire, an ancient script known as "Çivi Zend" was developed in this area.
The Cudi Mountain, a historically rich and fertile region, rises more than 2000 meters high. One of its peaks, called "Noah’s Visit", ranks among the tallest in southeastern Anatolia and is believed to be the Ark’s first landing spot. Şırnak also boasts several significant historical treasures, including an Assyrian-era rock engraving of a horseman near Meseici village and Kasrik Pass; Neolithic period rock carvings dating back to 7000 BC found in Beytüşşebap; and the ancient fortresses of Kale, Meme Kale, and Kaletivuru. The bridges at Kasrik Pass highlight the expert stone craftsmanship from the Seljuk period. Moreover, Cizre’s Virgin Mary Church should not be mistaken for the church of the same name located in Ephesus.
The economy of Şırnak is largely driven by farming, livestock breeding, and cross-border trade. The region’s primary agricultural products include wheat, barley, and lentils, while cotton stands out as the main industrial crop. High-quality pomegranates and grapes are cultivated especially in the districts of Cizre and Silopi. Nomadic shepherds raise sheep along with various goat breeds such as the common goat, the Angora goat, and the distinctive brown-haired goat native to the region. Traditional handicrafts include handwoven carpets, kilims, and bags. Şırnak scarves are made from sheep’s wool, and Beytüşşebap is particularly famous for its kilims.
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