A Glimpse into​ Al-Mafraq Governorate:

Geographical Location and Historical Origins:

The Mafraq Governorate is located in the northeastern part of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, approximately (65) kilometers (about 40 miles) from the capital, Amman. It is the second largest governorate in Jordan in terms of area, covering (26,552) square kilometers, which is equivalent to (29.6%) of the Kingdom's total area. It serves as a vital crossroads for routes connecting Jordan with Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. In general, Al-Mafraq is a city of exceptional historical significance, with its origins dating back to the fourth millennium BC. Human life and settlement began in Al-Mafraq (as seen in the archaeological site of Al-Fudain and its surroundings) during this ancient period. Archaeologists have unearthed stones and pottery tools and tombs dating back to the Chalcolithic and early Bronze Ages.

The city was known in ancient times as "Al-Fudain" (meaning "the small fortress"), its most prominent historical name. The word originates from the Aramaic-Syriac language, when the city was part of the southern borders of the Aramaic state. It is derived from the Syriac word "Ufadnu," meaning a fortified palace or stronghold. Later, the city was named "Al-Fudun", reflecting its vast size, importance, and prominent position among the major cities of the world. The city's importance has been solidified over time, under the various civilizations that have succeeded one another, due to its geographical location as a crossroads for trade routes and the movement of caravans and armies between the Levant, Iraq to the east, and the Arabian Peninsula to the south. This led the Ottoman Turks to rename the city to its current name, "Al-Mafraq," which means "crossroads" in Arabic, due to its strategic location at the most important intersection of routes between Jordan and various neighboring countries.

In general, the most important historical milestones of the major civilizations and states that ruled Al-Mafraq and left their mark on it can be summarized as follows, in chronological order:

• Aramaic Civilization: It is considered one of the oldest kingdoms to have settled in the region, and its traces appear in the construction of the first foundations of Al-Fudain Castle during the Iron Age.
  
• Nabataean Civilization: The region flourished during the reign of King Aretas III as a pivotal trading center on caravan routes. The archaeological site of Umm Al-Jimal stands as a testament to the Nabataeans' ingenuity in shaping black basalt stone and constructing sophisticated water harvesting systems, a hallmark of their work in Petra.

The site is also notable for the discovery of the Umm Al-Jimal inscription (Fihr ibn Salma inscription), which blends two distinct languages simultaneously: Nabataean Arabic and Greek scripts. This represents a vibrant fusion of ancient civilizations. Nabataean influence extended to Al-Fudain, where the remains of a Nabataean military fortress, built upon ancient Aramaic ruins, have been unearthed.

• ​H​ellenistic (Greek) Civilization: Inscriptions written in ancient Greek, the official language of the Hellenistic civilization, have been found at archaeological sites in Al-Mafraq (such as Umm Al-Jimal and Umm Al-Quttain). This demonstrates how Al-Mafraq transformed from a crossroads of Aramaic trade routes into a commercial and cultural center influenced by the incoming Greek culture. Some Greek artifacts have also been discovered at the site of Al-Fudain.
  
• Roman Empire: The Romans consolidated their control over the region, constructing military forts and connecting Al-Mafraq to the Roman international road network and millstones to ensure the safety and freedom of movement for trade and armies.
  
• Byzantine State: Al-Mafraq witnessed a major urban and religious renaissance during this era, with the proliferation of churches and monasteries featuring exquisite mosaic floors. Among the most prominent are the churches discovered in the areas of Rahab, Hayyan Al-Mushrif, and Umm Al-Sirab.
  
• Islamic Eras: These include:
  

1. Umayyad Caliphate: Al-Mafraq held a special place with the Umayyads due to its proximity to the desert; They transformed the old fortresses into complete Umayyad palaces complex (such as Qasr al-Fudain and Qasr Burqu') that included a governor's residence, mosques, bathhouses, and large water reservoirs.
2. Abbasid Caliphate: The city's location continued to be exploited as an important center on the caravan route and land transport.
3. Ayyubid and Mamluk Rules: The area remained inhabited and a major rest stop for military and trade caravans.
4. Ottoman Empire: The Ottomans revived the area by rebuilding Qasr Al-Fudain in (1517AD) to protect the Syrian Hajj route. Later, in (1902AD), a prominent station on the Hejaz Railway was established there, a pivotal event that formed the nucleus for the founding of modern Al-Mafraq.

• British Mandate: The British Mandate established a fully equipped airbase and protected the pipelines of the Iraq Petroleum Company, attracting labor and population migration from various regions of Jordan, Palestine, and North Africa to work there. This contributed to the urban expansion of Al-Mafraq and the emergence of its urban nucleus.
  
• The Hashemite leadership: The Hashemite leadership has come to establish the modern Jordanian state since (1921AD), which has worked to build various state institutions and agencies. The Mafraq Governorate has witnessed an economic transformation and tremendous social development in all vital developmental fields that directly affect the lives of citizens, through the implementation of many economic projects and social initiatives.

Economic Resources and Prospects for Sustainable Development in Al-Mafraq:

The economic resources of Al-Mafraq Governorate are characterized by their vital strategic diversity, combining agriculture, renewable energy, and industry. This diversity is facilitated by the governorate's vast area and its strategic geographic location as a border gateway between Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. The most prominent economic resources and sectors in Al-Mafraq can be summarized as follows:

• The Education Sector: Numerous educational institutions have been established according to the highest standards, utilizing available resources and capabilities. These include:
1. The establishment of Al al-Bayt University, founded by royal decree, to develop skills and capabilities of Jordanian citizens, and disseminate the message of moderated Islam globally, through a focus on university education, that balances religious needs and secular studies across various academic stages, levels, and programs.
2. The proliferation of numerous public and private schools, which have contributed to building and refining students' skills in various academic and vocational fields.
• The Agricultural Sector: Al-Mafraq is considered the Kingdom's breadbasket and a key export hub, distinguished by its agricultural products, both plant and animal:

1. Rainfed Agriculture: This consists primarily of medicinal herbs used in natural therapeutic and cosmetic preparations, both for traditional use and large-scale industrial production.
   
2. Irrigated Agriculture: Al-Mafraq is one of the most important agricultural regions in Jordan, producing vast quantities of vegetables, fruits (especially almonds and peaches), and olives, relying mainly on groundwater.
3. Livestock: The governorate boasts the highest percentage of livestock in the Kingdom (sheep and goats) and is a major center for meat, milk, and cheese production, in addition to its poultry farming sector.

• The Renewable Energy Sector:

1. Solar Energy: Based on its flat terrain and high solar irradiance, Al-Mafraq has become a regional center for clean energy, hosting some of the largest solar power plants in the Middle East and North Africa region.
2. Major Projects: The governorate is home to strategic projects such as the King Hussein Bin Talal Solar Power Plant and large-scale power generation stations that directly supply the national electricity grid with clean energy.

• Industrial and Development Sector:

1. King Hussein Bin Talal Development Area: An attractive investment zone encompassing dozens of factories and companies in various sectors (food industries, chemicals, and construction). This economic zone has attracted investments estimated at approximately (300) million Jordanian dinars (US$425 million) and includes about (50) major factories specializing in light chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage production, and advanced textiles. It is worth noting that the governorate also includes several special development zones.
2. Logistics Location: Based on Jordan's national economic modernization vision, Al-Mafraq is being developed into a major regional storage and distribution hub. This development involves upgrading the nearby King Hussein Air Base into a multi-purpose commercial cargo airport, leveraging its shared borders with Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.

• Natural Resources and Mining:

1. Basalt Rocks: Basalt rocks, used in construction and building industries, are widespread in the Al-Mafraq desert.
2. Limestone and Minerals: The region contains natural deposits and ores used in the manufacture of cement and insulation materials.

• Archaeological, Religious, and Environmental Tourism:

1. Al-Fudain Castle Area: Located in the city center (just behind Al-Mafraq Government Hospital), this area represents the city's original historical nucleus, dating back to the Iron Age II. The site began as an advanced military fort to protect the southern borders of the Aramean Kingdom and its capital, Damascus. It was later occupied by the Nabataeans, Greeks, and Romans. During the Byzantine era, it developed into a monastery and a complete church in the 6^th century AD. Subsequently, the site was transformed into a luxurious Umayyad palace and residence owned by Sa'id ibn Khalid ibn Amr ibn Uthman ibn Affan, which included a mosque, baths, water pools, and servants' quarters.
2. Rahab Bani Hassan area: Located (12) km (approximately 7 miles) west of Al-Mafraq, this area is distinguished by its blend of Roman and Byzantine periods. Its settlement history spans various phases, and its strategic geographical location has given it significant religious and historical importance. It is considered one of the oldest Christian centers in the world and boasts a wide array of historical churches (such as the Church of St. George/Al-Khader) and beautiful mosaic floors.
3. Umm Al-Jimal: Located (20) km (approximately 12 miles) east of Al-Mafraq, this area is known as the "Black Oasis" due to its massive structures built from black volcanic basalt. Founded in the 1^st century BC as a Nabataean trading center, it flourished during the Greek, Roman, and Byzantine periods. One of the cities of the Decapolis (the ten cities of Greek Empire), Umm Al-Jimal contains the remains of (16) churches and various other archaeological sites from different civilizations. Due to its unique historical value and centuries-old architectural heritage, it has been officially designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. Jawa Dam Area: This is a surviving structure in Wadi Rajel, located in the Jawa region of the northeastern desert, approximately (100) km (60 miles) east of Al-Mafraq. It is the oldest known dam in the world, dating back to the 4th century BC, during the Early Bronze Age. This dam was part of a water supply system consisting of other, smaller dams that provided water to the city of Jawa at that time. It appears that the Jawa Dam was used for water harvesting.
5. Burqu' Dam and Palace Area: Located in the northwest of the Ruwaished area in the northeastern desert, (215) km (about 130 miles) east of the city of Al-Mafraq. It is an integrated water-archaeological system, distinguished by its unique combination of ancient water engineering and desert fortress architecture, built entirely of black basalt stones. This site began as a late Roman military fortress to monitor and protect trade caravans from bandits and hostile armies. It was then restored and expanded to become a palace, extending over an area of (1,300)m², during the year (700AD), by the Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid bin Abdul-Malik.