Mafraq Governorate (محافظة المفرق)
Governorate
Mafraq Governorate
Country	Jordan
Subdivisions	4  - Capital Department  - Ruwaished Department  - North Badiya Department  - North West Badiya Department
Cities	Ruwaished, Safawi
Capital	Mafraq
- coordinates	32°16′0″N 36°9′20″E / 32.266667°N 36.15556°E / 32.266667; 36.15556
Area	26,550.6 km2 (10,251 sq mi)
Population	293,700 (2011)
Density	11.1 / km2 (29 / sq mi)
Governor	Saleem Rawahneh
Timezone	GMT +2
- summer (DST)	+3
Area code	+(962)2
Urban	39.2%
Rural	60.8%

The city hall of the town of Khalediyya

The Umayyad palace at Kharana east of Mafraq

Nahias of Mafraq

Mafraq (Arabic محافظة المفرق Al-Mafraq, local dialects Mafrag or Mafra' ) is one of the governorates of Jordan, located to the north-east of Amman, capital of Jordan. It has a population of 287,300 (2010 estimate)^[1] making up 4.5% of Jordan's population. Its capital is Mafraq, which is known for its military bases.

History[link]

Many Roman and Byzantine sites have been found throughout the governorate, most notably is a church dating from the third century believed to be one of the oldest churches in Christianity. As well as roman water dams in Ruwaished and the city of Mafraq.

During the British mandate period, Mafraq housed a military which is still in use until today. The third division of the Jordanian Army is stationed in Mafraq.

Geography[link]

The province is located in the eastern part of the kingdom of Jordan. It is the only governorate in Jordan that has borders with three countries: Iraq to the east, Syria to the north, and Saudi Arabia to the south. It is bordered by Irbid and Jerash governorates to the west, and by Zarqa governorate to the south.

Mafraq governorate covers the second largest area in the kingdom, but yet the second smallest population density (after Ma'an). The climate is dry most of the year. The western region of the province is part of the fertile Houran plateaus, that extend through southern Syria, the Golan heights and northern Jordan.

The Governorate is connected to Iraq through the Karameh Border Crossing, and to Syria through the Jabir Border Crossing.

Demographics[link]

The population of Mafraq Governorate according to the census of 2004 was 244,188 of whom 30% is considered urban population and 70% is a rural population. Jordanian citizens made up about 94% of the population. The Jordanian Department of Statistics population estimate for the year 2010 is 287,300 with a female to male ratio of 48.17 to 51.83 and a population density of 10.8 persons per Km²

Administrative Divisions[link]

Mafraq Governorate is divided into four districts (or departments) according to article 10 of the 46th Administrative Divisions System of the Kingdom of Jordan by the Ministry of Interior which was ratified in the year 2000:

Economy[link]

Agriculture forms a central element of the economy for Mafraq Governorate, especially in the Houran Plateau in the western part of the province. The total area of fruit farms in the province in 2008 was 48.676 km², with a total production of 101874 tons of fruits mainly apples and peaches, according to the ministry of Agriculture.^[3] The total area of vegetable farms in the province for 2008 was 8.295 km² with a total production of 15540 tons, with cabbage, onions, garlic, and lettuce being the main products.^[4]

There is one natural gas production field at Al-Reeshah, it is run by the Jordanian National Petroleum Company. In 2008, British Petroleum purchased the rights to produce natural gas in the field, and is expected to increase its capacity from 21 cubic feet (0.59 m³) to 300 million cubic feet per day in the next five years. The natural gas produced at Al-Reeshah is used entirely for producing electricity at a nearby electricity generating station with a capacity of 120 Megawatts, covering 12% of the total needs of the kingdom for the year 2008.^[5]

The city of Mafraq hosts Al al-Bayt University, which is the only university in the governorate.^[6]

References[link]

1. ^ DOS Jordan
2. ^ Jordan National Census of 2004 Table 3-1
3. ^ Ministry of Agriculture Total area of trees by province report of 2008
4. ^ Ministry of Agriculture, Table of the total area of vegetables by province report of 2008
5. ^ Asharq Alawsat newspaper September 5, 2009
6. ^ Al al-Bayt University

	As-Suwayda and Daraa Governorates	Rif Dimashq Governorate	Homs Governorate
	Irbid Governorate Jerash Governorate		Al Anbar Governorate
		Mafraq Governorate    East
	Zarqa Governorate		Northern Borders Province

v t e Governorates of Jordan North Region Irbid Jerash Ajloun Mafraq Central Region Amman Balqa Zarqa Madaba South Region Aqaba Karak Ma'an Tafilah files Dictionary Books Quotes Resources Portal

Coordinates: 32°20′N 37°55′E / 32.333°N 37.917°E / 32.333; 37.917

for the village in Saudi Arabia see Mafraq, Saudi Arabia

Mafraq City مدينة المفرق
—  City  —
The Tank Circle in Mafraq
Official seal of Mafraq City Seal
Mafraq City
Coordinates: 32°16′0″N 36°09′20″E / 32.266667°N 36.15556°E / 32.266667; 36.15556
Country	Jordan
Province	Mafraq Governorate
Municipality established	1945
Government
• Mayor	Abdullah yarqan
Area
• City	14 km2 (5 sq mi)
• Metro	128 km2 (49 sq mi)
Elevation	700 m (2,300 ft)
Population (2004)[1]
• City	56,340
• Metro	122,000
Time zone	GMT +2
• Summer (DST)	+3 (UTC)
Area code(s)	+(962)2
Website	http://www.mafraq.gov.jo

Mafraq (Arabic المفرق Al-Mafraq, local dialects Mafrag or Mafra' , "crossroads") is the capital city of Mafraq Governorate, Jordan, located 80 Km to the north from the Jordanian capital Amman in crossroad to Syria to the north and Iraq to the east. It has 58,954 inhabitants (2000).^{[citation needed]} Mafraq was also the location of a Transjordanian prisoner of war camp during the Arab-Israeli War, used to house soldiers taken from a Transjordanian victory at the Jewish quarter of East Jerusalem in 1948.

Transport[link]

Mafraq is served by a station on the 1,050 mm (3 ft 5 ¹⁄₃ in) national railway system.

The train station in Mafraq

Education[link]

Al al-Bayt University is the only university in the city. The university was established in 1992 and is located in the south-eastern outskirts of Mafraq city..^[2]

See also[link]

• Railway stations in Jordan

References[link]

Coordinates: 32°21′N 36°12′E / 32.35°N 36.2°E / 32.35; 36.2

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