Karak Governorate محافظة الكرك | |
|---|---|
 Karak Governorate withinJordan. | |
| Country | Jordan |
| Capital | Al Karak |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Mohammed Maaitah |
| Area | |
• Total | 3,495 km2 (1,349 sq mi) |
| Population (2012) | |
• Total | 249,100 |
| • Density | 71.27/km2 (184.6/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 |
| • Summer (DST) | +3 |
| Area code | +(962)3 |
| HDI (2021) | 0.729[1] high ·2nd of 12 |
Karak (Arabic:الكرك) is one of thegovernorates of Jordan, located south-west ofAmman, Jordan's capital. Its capital isAl-Karak. It is bordered byMadaba and theCapital governorates to the north,Ma'an Governorate to the east,Tafilah Governorate to the south, and theDead Sea to the west.
The land of Karak Governorate was the home of theKingdom of Moab, during the first millennium BC. Their capital and stronghold is believed to be near the city ofAl Karak, which was known as the Qir of Moab.
For a brief period of time, the territory came underPersian rule, then theNabateans took control of it, until theRomans invaded theLevant and occupied their capital,Petra. In the 4th century, aRoman legion, theLegio IV Martia, had a headquarter fortress atBetthorus (now el-Lejjun) in Karak.[2] Around 530 theByzantine Empire established avassal state ruled by theGhassanids. The city ofMu'tah was the site of the first clash between theMuslimArabs underMuhammad and theByzantines at theBattle of Mu'tah in 629 AD.
With the coming of thecrusaders, the Principality ofKerak was established, after which Kerak was a center front between theAyyubids and the crusaders.
From the 15th century until 1917, Karak was underOttoman rule, and then later under theEmirate of Transjordan. After the creation of the administrative governorates system in the Hashemite Kingdom ofJordan, Karak became a governorate on 16 January 1966,[3] with Waheeb al-Bitar as its first governor.
The land of Karak Governorate is situated along the south eastern coast of theDead Sea and the mountain chain known as the Mountains of Moab.Wadi Mujib, biblically known asArnon River, flows through the mountains of Karak Governorate and ends in the Dead Sea. The cities in the governorate are located at elevations ranging from over 1000 meters above sea level in the South Mazar Department to 800 meters above sea level in the northern departments to about 330 meters below sea level at Ghor Al-Safi Department. The governorate is connected to the rest of Jordan by two highways:
In 2004, according to the Jordan National Census of that year, the population of the Karak Governorate was 204,185, i.e. 4% of the population of Jordan. The male-to-female ratio was 50.6 to 49.4, Jordanian citizens made up 95.42% Among the Jordanian citizens the male-to-female ratio was 50.38 to 49.62. Of the non-Jordanians, the male-to-female ratio was 55.19 to 44.81. The estimated population as of 2010 is about 239,000.[4][5]Muslim form the majority of the Karak Governorate with 70% of its total population and Christians are 30% of its population. Karak presents a practical model of peaceful coexistence between Muslim and Christians. The next census is scheduled for 2014
| Quality | 2004 Census[6] | 2010 Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Female to Male ratio | 49.4% to 50.6% | 49.4% to 50.6% |
| Jordanian citizens to foreign nationals | 95.42% to 4.58% | NA |
| Urban population | 34.78% | 35% |
| Rural population | 65.22% | 65% |
| Total population | 204,185 | 238,600 |
| District | Census 1994 | Census 2004 | Census 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karak Governorate | 169,770 | 204,185 | 316,629 |
| Al-Āghwār al-Janūbī | ... | 32,446 | 54,867 |
| Al-Mazār al-Janūbī | 42,248 | 57,191 | 95,124 |
| Al-Qaṣr | 16,587 | 20,860 | 29,407 |
| Al-Qaṭrāneh | ... | 6,949 | 10,896 |
| 'Ayy | ... | 9,711 | 8,152 |
| Faqū'e | 10,084 | 12,178 | 16,806 |
| Qaṣabah al-Karak | ... | 64,850 | 101,377 |
Mutah University is the only university in the governorate, located in the city ofMu'tah, and is one of the largest universities inJordan by number of students.[8]
Karak Governorate is divided into 10 departments according to article 7 of the 46th Administrative Divisions System of 2000:
| Department | Arabic name | Areas | Population[10] | Administrative Center | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capital Department (Al-Qasabah) | لواء قصبة الكرك | includes the city ofAl Karak and 35 other towns and villages | 64,850 | Al Karak |
| 2 | South Mazar Department | لواء المزار الجنوبي | includes 30 towns and villages | 57,191 | Mu'tah |
| 3 | South Aghwar Department | لواء الاغوار الجنوبية | includes seven towns and villages | 32,446 | Safi |
| 4 | Al-Qasr Department | لواء القصر | includes nine towns and villages | 20,860 | Rabba |
| 5 | Ghor Al-Mazra'a Department | قضاء غور المزرعة | includes six towns and villages | 12,743 | Ghor Al-Mazra'a |
| 6 | Faqou' Department | لواء فقوع | includes six towns and villages | 12,178 | Faqou' |
| 7 | Aii Department | لواء عي | includes four towns and villages | 9,711 | Aii |
| 8 | Moab Department | قضاء مؤاب | includes five towns and villages | 9,692 | Husseiniya |
| 9 | Qatraneh Department | لواء القطرانة | includes four towns and villages | 6,949 | Qatraneh |
| 10 | Moujeb Department | قضاء الموجب | includes five towns and villages | 5,818 | Mugheer |
Places adjacent to Karak Governorate | |
|---|---|
| North Region | ||
|---|---|---|
| Central Region | ||
| South Region | ||
31°09′53″N35°45′43″E / 31.16472°N 35.76194°E /31.16472; 35.76194
| Geographic | |
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| Other | |
