Uludere

Uludere's total land area is 825 km². Its neighbors are: the district of Çukurca in the province of Hakkâri to the east; the districts of Şırnak and Silopi to the west; the district of Beytüşşebap to the north; and the country of Iraq to the south.

The topography of Uludere consists mostly of rugged mountainous terrain. The Haftanîn and Kêla Meme (Kel Mehmet) mountains are the highest mountains in Uludere. In addition, Suwar, Serhe, Haftanîn, Meydan, Elcan and Şirîş are important plateaus. The altitude varies between 800 meters and 3200 meters throughout the district. The lowest altitude is in the Şenoba town and the highest altitude is in the Kel Mehmet (Kêla Meme) mountain.[5]

Uludere has a continental climate. Summer season is hot and dry. Winter season is cold and wet. The climate is influenced by the high elevation of the villages. High elevation reduces the hotness of summer. It snows in winter.

Ninety-five percent (95%) of the population of Uludere is Bölgenini. The most populous tribe is Goyan, which includes members who are Kurds.

The Urartu, Assyrians, the Medes, the Persians, the Romans, and the Sassanids are the early invaders of this land. Eventually the region fell under the rule of the Arsacid Dynasties. In 1260, the Hulagu Hakkari region was attacked by Imadeddin Zengi'in and endured years of tumult. The local rulers were forced to accept Karakoyunlu leadership in 1349. Uludere came under Timurid and Safavid rule in 1386.

In 1502 Uludere (Kılaban), was governed by Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire in its internal affairs, such as connecting all provincial lords. Protection was given to the sovereign rights of tribal princes, except that the Ottoman land system dominated. The empire could also demand the sending of troops to support their campaigns. The Sindi tribe dominated the region during the Ottoman period. The ancient Assyrian tribes of Geramon/Halmon and Arosh existed within the realm of this district, in the modern small towns of Andaç and Ortaköy, respectively.

An important cultural element of the province of Şırnak is a rich folklore based on the natural world around them. Houses built from the soil in this region still exist and are considered a rare architectural sight.

Uludere is a town rich in local flora and fauna. In spring, Lusi, Kerenk, as well as many different edible plants and vegetables, can be collected in the Pıncar Highlands. In the summer, Işgın and Temtol plants from the pastures provide a good food-source. All are also sold locally in bazaars. There are numerous endemic plant species such as tulips and mountain Lalesidir. Uludere inverted-tulips, or mountain tulips as they are also known, only grow in the mountains of Hakkari, and are protected by law. They are regarded as the symbol of the township.

There has been research conducted into the extinction of the Anatolia Caspian tiger in the area, with the last one being seen in February 1970. Many other species still exist in the area, including mountain goats, bear, wild boar, deer, rabbits, foxes, partridges and numerous other bird species. Tourism, especially in the winter, is economically important to the area.

• Uludere airstrike