Kirkuk, Iraq

Capital City

With a population of 975,000, Kirkuk is an ethnically diverse but volatile city in northern Iraq. The discovery of vast oil reserves has drawn many Arabs and Kurds seeking work, diluting the historically Turkmen character of the city. However, Kirkuk has long been a disputed territory, with Kurds, Turkmens and Arabs vying for control. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city's status remains unresolved under Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution. And safety is an ever-present concern, with the city rocked by periodic violence, most recently in 2017 when Iraqi forces retook it from Kurdish control. Only the most hardy and persistent should consider making Kirkuk their home.