Al-Karak
الكرك | |
|---|---|
City | |
 The Kerak Castle | |
| Nickname: Qir of Moab | |
  Al-Karak | |
| Coordinates: 31°11′0″N 35°42′0″E / 31.18333°N 35.70000°E | |
| Grid position | 216/065 |
| Country |  Jordan |
| Governorate | Karak Governorate |
| Greater Karak Municipality | 1893 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Mohammed Maaitah |
| Area | |
| • Metro | 765 km2 (295 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 930 m (3,051 ft) |
| Population (2015)[2] | |
• City | 32,216[1] |
| • Metro | 351,169 |
| Time zone | GMT +2 |
| • Summer (DST) | +3 |
| Area code | +(962)2 |
Al-Karak (Arabic: الكرك), in English sources often simply Karak, is a city in Jordan known for its medieval castle, the Kerak Castle. The castle is one of the three largest castles in the region, the other two being in Syria. Al-Karak is the capital city of the Karak Governorate.
Al-Karak lies 140 kilometres (87 mi) to the south of Amman on the ancient King's Highway. It is situated on a hilltop about 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level and is surrounded on three sides by a valley. Al-Karak has a view of the Dead Sea. A city of about 32,216 people (2005[1]) has been built up around the castle and it has buildings from the 19th-century Ottoman period. The town is built on a triangular plateau, with the castle at its narrow southern tip.