karak

Karak, also spelled Kerak, is a city in southern Jordan and the capital of Karak District in the Ma’an Governorate. It lies on the historic King's Highway, about 140 kilometers south of Amman and northeast of the Dead Sea, at an elevation around 1,000 meters. The city functions as a regional center for agriculture, trade, and transport in the southern Jordanian highlands.

The defining landmark of Karak is Kerak Castle, a large Crusader fortress perched on a high limestone plateau. Construction began in the 12th century under the Kingdom of Jerusalem and it became a key stronghold in Crusader defense networks. The fortress changed hands several times during the medieval period, including campaigns led by Saladin, and it remained a prominent military site for centuries. Today, Kerak Castle is one of the region’s best-preserved examples of Crusader architecture, featuring extensive walls, towers, and underground passages, and it draws visitors for its historical significance and panoramic views.

The name Karak also appears beyond the Jordanian city, most notably in the Gulf region where Karak tea refers to a popular spiced milk tea. Karak tea is typically made by brewing strong black tea with evaporated or condensed milk and sugar, with variants that may include cardamom or other spices. It is commonly served in cafés across Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, and is associated with both local and immigrant communities.

In addition to these uses, Karak can appear in various regional toponyms and historical references. The Jordanian city and its Crusader-era fortress remain the most widely recognized associations in contemporary geography and history.