Sanandaj (Persian: سنندج; .mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}pronounced [sænænˈdædʒ] ⓘ)[a] is a city in the Central District of Sanandaj County, in the Kurdistan province of Iran, serving as capital of the province, the county, and the district.[5] With a population of 414,069,[6] Sanandaj is the 23rd largest city in Iran and the second largest Kurdish city.[citation needed] Sanandaj's founding is fairly recent, (about 250 years ago), yet in its short existence it has grown to become one of the centers of Kurdish culture.[7][8] During the Iran–Iraq War the city was attacked by Iraqi planes and saw disturbances.[9] Since 2019, UNESCO has recognized Sanandaj as Creative City of Music.[10]