shufra

Shufra is a toponym used in several Arabic-speaking regions, and there is no single universally recognized place by this name. The spelling varies in transliteration, with common variants including Shufrah, Sufra, and Sofra. Because Arabic transliteration can reflect dialectal pronunciation, the same name may appear differently in maps and documents from different countries.

Etymology and use

The term is connected, in some contexts, to the Arabic word sufra (سفرة), which can mean a dining table or a meal spread. However, when used as a place name, the link to this meaning is not always clear, and the origin of Shufra as a geographic toponym is often obscure. Place names in the Arab world frequently arise from local history, geography, or clan associations, and some Shufra occurrences may be of toponymic rather than semantic origin.

Geographic distribution

Shufra appears in several countries in North Africa and the Middle East in local gazetteers and historical records. Because of transliteration variations, precise identification requires cross-referencing multiple sources, such as country-specific maps or administrative lists. In many cases, Shufra refers to small settlements or features rather than large cities, and different locales with the same name can exist within a region.

See also

Related transliteration variants include Sufra and Sofra. For precise identification, consult regional geographic dictionaries or official administrative records.