Kirkuk is considered one of Iraq’s most significant historic cities. Its long history is evidenced by archaeological remains and by what historical sources have recorded about the city. This deep historical background has contributed to a rich diversity of ethnicities and religions. Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, and Syriacs live in Kirkuk, and Muslims, Christians, and Jews have coexisted side by side—so much so that the city has often been described as “a miniature Iraq.”

Kirkuk is located approximately 250 km northeast of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. It is bordered to the north by the Zagros mountain range and to the west by the Little Zab River, giving it a distinctive geographic position between plains and highlands.

The city is one of the country’s key vital centers, known for its underground resources—especially oil and natural gas—as well as its fertile agricultural lands. In addition, its commercial location makes it an important link between central and southern Iraq on one side and the northern region on the other.