Mafraq

Mafraq is in the Eastern Desert of Jordan.

Mafraq was originally settled in the 4th century BC. After being called Fudian from the Arabic word for fortress for a while, it was renamed Mafraq meaning crossroads by the Turks after the Hejaz Railway connecting Istanbul to Medina passed through. It also served as a military base for Allied forces during World War II and Arab Legion forces during the Arab-Israel War. In 2012, the Zaatari refugee camp opened up for Syrian refugees just east of Mafraq. By 2018, there was an estimate by World Bank of a whopping 593,900 people living in that camp.

Mafraq is just 70 km from Amman on a good 4-lane highway. The Hejaz Railway became defunct by the time of the Six-Day War in 1967, and while there is a train station in town, there is no service.

Ruins of a house in Umm el-Jimal

• 🌍 Umm el-Jimal. Ruins of a Nabataean and Byzantine settlement from the 1st century BC, and also a later Roman settlement to the northwest. (updated Aug 2020)

There's a chance you may be able to volunteer at the Zaatari Refugee Camp through an NGO. Might have to be prearranged though.

• 🌍 Qayed Hadramout Restaurant (مطعم قايد حضر موت), Army Street, ☏ +962 7 7794 8636. Yemeni food. (updated Aug 2020)

• 🌍 Azraq Desert Hotel, Azraq Alshamali Behind Health Center, ☏ +962 7 9125 7381. Kind of sleepy, but it has a pool and buffet/restaurant and clean tiles. $65. (updated Aug 2020)