Al-Karak
Karak (Kerak) City
مدينة الكرك | |
|---|---|
City | |
 The Karak Castle | |
| Nickname: Qir of Moab | |
| Country | Jordan |
| Province | Karak Governorate |
| Area | |
| • Metro | 765 km2 (295 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 930 m (3,051 ft) |
| Population | |
| • City | 21,678 |
| • Metro | 68,810 (2,003) |
| Time zone | GMT +2 |
| • Summer (DST) | +3 |
| Area code | +(962)2 |
Karak (also Kerak) (Arabic: Al-Karak الكرك) is a city in Jordan that is known for the famous crusader castle Kerak. The castle is one of the three largest castles in the region, the other two being in Syria. Kerak is the capital city of Karak Governorate.
Overview
Karak City is the capital and largest city of the Karak Governorate. Karak, once a part of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, lies 140 km to the south of Amman on the King's Highway. An ancient Crusader stronghold, it is situated on a hilltop about 1000 meters above sea level and is surrounded on three sides by a valley. Karak commands a magnificent view of the Dead Sea. A city of about 20,000 people has been built up around the castle and continues to boast a number of restored 19th century Ottoman buildings, restaurants, places to stay, and the like. The town is built on a triangular plateau, with the castle at its narrow southern tip, but it is undoubtedly Karak Castle which dominates.
Karak region has almost 32 villages. Most of these villages have one or more tribes (families). Some of the famous tribes in Karak are: Al-Tarawneh, Al-Majalia, Al-Habashneh, Al-Sarayreh, Al-Mahadeen, Al-Znaibat, Al-Nawhyseh, Al-Qatawneh,Al-Mubiadean,Al-Kfaween, Al-Amareen, Al-Hejazeen,Al-Medanat and many other promenant families. Each village has a population between 1,000 to 10,000 people. Villages share similar behaviours and cultural habits known as “Karakian Traditions”. Karak is famous for its traditional Jordanian meal called " Man-saf". No one can complete his/her visit to Karak without tasting this type of meal. The Man-saf is made of lamb, rice, solid yogurt called Jameed, and spices. Some people can use chicken instead of lamb. The yogurt used in the Man-saf is made up of solid objects, each of approximately 1 pound. It takes about 2 hours to prepare the Man-saf. The Man-saf must be served hot in a group of people. It is a traditional in Karak to eat Man-saf at least once a week. Nowadays, this meal is spread all over the world. Some Middle East restaurants are specialized in Man-saf. There is a well-known restaurant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia called “The Jordanian Man-saf”.<ref-Interview with family member>
History
Al Karak has been inhabited since at least the Iron Age, and was an important city for the Moabites (who called it Qir of Moab). In the Bible it is called Qer Harreseth, and is identified as having been subject to the Assyrian empire; in the Book of Kings (16:9) and Book of Amos (1:5, 9:7), it is mentioned as the place whither the Syrians went before they settled in the regions north of Palestine, and to which Tiglath-Pileser III sent the prisoners after the conquest of Damascus. Evidently it eventually fell under the power of the Nabateans. The Romans (with support from the Ghassanids or Ghassasinah الغساسنة) conquered it from them in 105 AD. During the late Hellenistic Period, Al Karak became an important town as was known as Kharkha. Under the Byzantine Empire it was a bishopric seat, housing the much venerated Church of Nazareth, and remained predominantly Christian under Arab rule.
Al Karak's greatest importance was during the Crusader and Ayyubid periods which were responsible for most of the architectural remains to date.
Demographics
Karak City's Metropolitan population is estimated to be 68,800 (2003 estimate). making up 31.5% of the total population of the Karak Governorate. Most of the population of the city are Muslims, there is also a significant Christian population. In general the percentage of Christians in Karak City is among the highest in Jordan.
Cuisine
Al Karak is widely accepted as the capital of Jordan's national dish Mansaf.
International relations
See also
References
- Gubser, Peter. Politics & Change in Al-Karak, Jordan, A Study of a Small Arab Town & Its District. ISBN 0-19-215805-8.
External links
- City of Al Karak Template:Ar icon
- City of Al Karak Template:En icon
- Al Karak Discussion Forum
- Khirbet Karak Ware