Mafraq Governorate
| Mafraq Governorate (محافظة المفرق) | |
| Governorate | |
 Mafraq Governorate
|
|
| Country | Jordan |
|---|---|
| Cities | Ruwaished, Safawi |
| Capital | Mafraq |
| - coordinates | 32°16′0″N 36°9′20″E / 32.26667°N 36.15556°ECoordinates: 32°16′0″N 36°9′20″E / 32.26667°N 36.15556°E |
| Area | 26,551 km2 (10,251 sq mi) |
| Population | 300,300 (2012) |
| Density | 11.3/km2 (29/sq mi) |
| Governor | Saleem Rawahneh |
| Timezone | GMT +2 |
| - summer (DST) | +3 |
| Area code | +(962)2 |
| Urban | 39.2% |
| Rural | 60.8% |
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) making up 4.5% of Jordan's population. Its capital is Mafraq, which is known for its military bases.
Many Roman and Byzantine sites have been found throughout the governorate, most notably churches dating to the third century AD; believed to be two of the oldest purpose built churches in Christianity: and Roman water dams in Jawa, Ruwaished, and the city of Mafraq. The Jawa Dam is the oldest known dam in the world, dating back to 3000 B.C. Mafraq city also contains a Roman fort.
During the British mandate period, Mafraq housed military facilities which are still in use today. The fifth division of the Jordanian Army is stationed in Mafraq.
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 eastern region is part of the barren Syrian Desert. At the eastern edge of the region is the 940m high Jebel 'Aneiza (or 'Unayzah), at the border tripoint between Jordan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
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Wikipedia