Kirkuk, city in northeastern Iraq, capital of Kirkuk Province. The city is located in one of the richest oil fields of Iraq and is the origin of pipelines extending to the Mediterranean coast. In addition, Kirkuk is the marketing center of an area in which sheep are raised and grains and fruit are grown. Ruins dating back about 3000 years have been found on the site of the city. The population of Kirkuk decreased substantially during the 1980s, due in part to Iraqi government policies that displaced resident Kurds. Population (1987) 418,624.
