Mafraq
Mafraq ( "Al-Mafraq", local dialects: "Mafrag" or "Mafra' ", "crossroads") is the capital city of Mafraq Governorate in Jordan, located 80 km to the north from the capital Amman in crossroad to Syria to the north and Iraq to the east. It had 56,340 inhabitants in 2004. History. Mafraq was first settled in the 4th century BC. It is located about 17 km west of the historic Nabataean and Byzantine town of Umm el-Jimal, which was built in the 1st century. The city was first named "Fudain", which comes from the word for fortress in Arabic. The city gained  significant importance after the establishment of the Hejaz Railway connecting Istanbul to Medina. It was renamed to the current name Mafraq by the Ottoman Turks, which means "cross roads". Mafraq was the location of a British military base and airport from the early 20th century. It later became the base for the Arab Legion during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. In 1945, the Municipality of Mafraq was established with Ali Abdeyyah as its first mayor. During the Second World War, the city's military base hosted British troops from India, Australia and other British colonies. Mafraq is the capital of  Mafraq Governorate and the headquarters of the Third Division of the Jordanian Army. King Hussein Air College and an air base of the Royal Jordanian Air Force are also located in the city. In 2016, 50% of the population of Mafraq were Syrian refugees. Geography. The city of Mafraq is located in northern Jordan at the boundary between the Hauran plateau and the Syrian Desert, about 80 km north of Amman. It is the capital and largest city of Mafraq Governorate. The city is close to the three major cities in the region, Amman to the south, Irbid to the  west, and Damascus to the north. Climate. Mafraq has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification "BSk"). Most rain falls in the winter. The average annual temperature in Mafraq is . About of precipitation falls annually. Transport. The international highway that connects Damascus to Riyadh passes through the city. Mafraq has a station on the national railway system. Education. Al al-Bayt University is the only university in the city. It was established in 1992 and is located in the south-eastern outskirts of Mafraq city.