Baneh County (Persian: شهرستان بانه) is an administrative county in Kurdistan Province in Iran. Its administrative centre and largest settlement is the city of Baneh. The county lies in the western highlands near the border with Iraqi Kurdistan and forms part of the broader Kurdish cultural and geographic region.

Geography

Baneh County occupies rugged terrain of the Zagros foothills with valleys, ridges and elevated plateaus. The climate varies with altitude: summers are generally warm and relatively dry while winters can be cold and snowy in higher areas. Local landscapes support orchards, terrace cultivation and pastoralism; seasonal streams and spring-fed valleys contribute to small-scale irrigation and village agriculture.

History and settlement

The area around Baneh has long been inhabited by Kurdish-speaking groups and retains a rural settlement pattern of towns and villages connected by county roads. Historical and administrative boundaries have changed over time as with many parts of the Zagros region; local histories are shaped by tribal, trade and cross-border interactions with neighbouring Kurdish areas.

Population, language and religion

At the 2006 national census the county's population was recorded as 116,773 in 24,709 families. Residents are predominantly Kurdish speakers; local varieties reflect the dialects commonly used across Iranian Kurdistan (Kurdish). The population is mainly Muslim and community life is influenced by religious practices alongside Kurdish cultural traditions (Islam).

Administrative divisions and settlements

Administratively the county is divided into four districts: the Central District, Alut District, Namshir District and Nanur District. There are four principal towns and cities which act as centres of commerce and local services:

Economy and transport

The local economy combines agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts and trade. Baneh's proximity to the international border has encouraged both formal and informal cross-border commerce; markets in the county are noted regionally for textiles, household goods and locally produced crafts. Road links connect the county to the provincial capital and neighbouring regions, facilitating the movement of people and goods. Local transport is primarily by road, with seasonal variations affecting mountain routes.

Culture and tourism

Cultural life in Baneh County is rooted in Kurdish language, music, dress and artisanal traditions. Visitors are attracted by mountain scenery, traditional bazaars and local handicrafts. While not a major international tourist destination, the county is of interest for regional cultural tourism and for those studying Kurdish rural societies.

Baneh County’s combination of cultural heritage, mountainous landscape and cross-border connections makes it a notable locality within Kurdistan Province, with social and economic ties extending across the nearby borderlands.