Kirkuk
The word Kirkuk came from Karkar, which means flame of blazing fire in the ancient Sumerian language. Yaqut al-Hamawi called it Karkhiti in his dictionary Mu’jam al-Buldan, and he described it as a high hill. The city of Kirkuk is considered the fifth governorate of Iraq, and it is one of the oldest governorates. Where the history of its residence dates back to the era of the Sumerian civilization in the era of the dawn of the dynasties in the year 2600 BC., and in this article we will introduce you to the Kirkuk site.
Kirkuk site
Kirkuk governorate is located in Iraq, in the southwestern side of it, and it is surrounded by three governorates on its four sides; As it is surrounded from the northern side by Erbil Governorate, from the eastern side by Sulaymaniyah Governorate, and from the southern and western side by Salah al-Din Governorate, and its area is about 9700 km235; As it ranks thirteenth in terms of area, Kirkuk governorate is divided into four administrative regions: the city of Kirkuk, Dibs, Hawija, and Daquq. About 87 km from the Kurdistan region from the northern side, and about 150 km from the northwestern side of the city of Mosul, and about 247 km from the southwestern side from the city of Ramadi.
Economic activity in Kirkuk
- It has many oil wells that are characterized by their abundant production and high quality.
- Kirkuk is famous for agriculture such as: viticulture, citrus fruits, olives, and sunflowers.
- There are many archaeological sites, which made it a tourist destination for many tourists who love history.
- Industry: There are many industries in Kirkuk, the most important of which are:
- Manufacture of hand tools such as: axes, machetes, and children's beds.
- Pottery such as pots and flasks.
- Harnesses such as: harnesses for belts, saddles, and pistol scabbards.
- Knitting such as: carpets, sheets, and woolen covers.
- Al-Hallajah: which is the manufacture of felt and hats.
The most important tourist places in Kirkuk
- Kirkuk Caesarea: It is one of the most important old markets in Kirkuk. Since it was considered as the commercial center in the country during the Ottoman era, and it was restored in the modern era in 1978 AD, and this market consists of 365 shops indicating the number of days of the year, twelve rooms indicating the number of months of the year, and seven doors indicating the The number of days of the week, and twenty-four branches indicate the number of hours in the day, and this market indicates creativity in design, as the doors were placed in one place to receive the sun at sunrise, and another to say goodbye at sunset.
- Kirkuk Citadel: This castle is located in the center of the city, and it is considered one of the oldest archaeological sites in Iraq. Its construction dates back to the Assyrian era, and it was called Dimtokarkhi Shiloakhu, and it was built between the years 850 and 884 AD during the reign of King Ashur Nasser Pal II, with the aim of protecting the army centers.
