Kurdistan or 'Land of the Kurds' is a roughly defined geo-cultural region wherein the Kurds form a prominent majority population; and Kurdish culture; language; and national identity have historically been based.

Contemporary use of Kurdistan refers to parts of eastern Turkey (Turkish Kurdistan); northern Iraq (Iraqi Kurdistan); northwestern Iran (Iranian Kurdistan) and northern Syria inhabited mainly by Kurds. Kurdistan roughly encompasses the northwestern Zagros and the eastern Taurus mountain ranges; and covers small portions of Armenia.

Iraqi Kurdistan first gained autonomous status in a 1970 agreement with the Iraqi government and its status was re-confirmed as an autonomous entity within the federal Iraqi republic in 2005. There is also a province by the name Kurdistan in Iran; although it does not enjoy self-rule.

Some Kurdish nationalist organizations seek to create an independent nation state of Kurdistan; consisting of some or all of the areas with Kurdish majority; while others campaign for greater Kurdish autonomy within the existing national boundaries.