Irbid Governorate
Encyclopedia
Irbid or Irbed is one of the governorates of Jordan
. It is located north of Amman
, Jordan's capital. The capital of the governorate of Irbid is the city of Irbid
. It has the second largest population in Jordan after Amman Governorate
, and the highest population density in the country.
, Roman
and Islamic
civilization
s leaving behind them historical and archaeological sites. Roman
and Greek
cities such as Arabella
(Irbid), Capitolias (Beit–Ras), Dion
(Al Hisn
) that contains the Roman artificial hill and small Roman lake (water reservoir), Gadara (Umm Qais), Pella
(Tabeqt Fahel) and Abello (Qwailbeh) were established. They were members of the Decapolis
: a pact that consists of the ten Roman cities in the area. Ghassanids had established their country in the north of Jordan covering Irbid, Golan
and Horan
plains. It was described as the most beautiful Syrian countries. Also it had the Islamic soldiers’ supplies. Christianity spread out there in the second and the third century A.D.
Irbid witnessed the Edom
ite and Ammonite civilizations. Its significance was reflected in the Hellenistic period. With the conversion work of Islam, the Islamic opening armies achieved an advance. As a result, Sharhabeel Bin Hasnaa made a glorious Islamic victory in 13 A.H (634 A.D.). He opened Irbid, Beit-Ras and Umm Qais. The Islamic leader Abu Obideh Amer Bin Al-Jarrah was able to open Pella. In 15 A.H. (636 A.D.) and in the prime of these victories, Khalid Bin Al-Walid managed to crush out the Roman armies in the long Battle of Yarmouk
. Consequently, he managed to put an end to the Roman presence in the area. In 583 A.H (1187 A.D.) Saladin
’s armies advanced to Hittin
in which the most ferocious battle in the history of the Crusades
took place, This battle was followed by recapturing Jerusalem and returning it back to the Islamic sovereignty.
During the Mamluk
period, Irbid played an important role as a stopping point for the pilgrims’ caravans coming from Turkey
, north of Iraq
and south of Russia
. It was an important communication hub and a gateway to Egypt
, Hijaz and Palestine
coast, especially during the time in which Irbid was linked with Damascus
, which had a positive effect on the cultural and scientific movement of Irbid, as referred by historical writings. In addition to the spread of a number of scientists and Islamic jurisprudence
scholars, the Islamic expansion left many graves of the companions of the prophet Muhammad
, many mosques and Islamic buildings such as Dar Assaraya (the former prison) which has been converted into a museum, Hibras Mamluk Mosque, Irbid Mamluke Mosque and Saham Umayyed Mosque.
basin and Jordan Valley, It is part of the Houran plateau, which covers northern Jordan, the Golan Heights and south-west Syria.
The governorate is bordered by Syria (the Golan Heights) from the north, the Jordan River from the west, Mafraq Governorate
from the east, and Jerash
, Ajloun
and Balqa Governorates from the south.
Irbid Governorate is named after its capital and largest city. It is divided into nine departments called alweya which is the plural of Liwaa. Many of these departments are within the sphere of influence (and constitute districts) of metropolitan Irbid
, the "Bride of the North," is considered as one of the most beautiful Jordanian cities. Its population amounts to 650,000 and situated on a plain land, 65 km. to the north of the capital, Amman
. It is situated in the north west of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, surrounded by fertile agricultural lands from north, east, west and south. Irbid was named “The Daisy” after the daisy
flower, which grows in its plains. Irbid witnessed human settlements 5000 B.C., such as settlements of the Edomites, Ghassanids and Southern Arab
civilizations.
The second largest city in Irbid Governorate is Ar Ramtha
, Um Qais or (Gadara) as it was called during the Byzantine
period is the most popular touristic destination in the Governorate. Many villages surround the city of Irbid including: Hartha(حرثا) Kufr-Soum (كفرسوم), Al-Rafeed (الرفيد), Hibras (حبراص), Yubla (يبلا),Al-Taybeh (الطيبة), Habaka
(حبكا),Kufr-Rahta( كفررحتا ), Al-Mazar Al-Shamali (المزار الشمالي), Bushra or Bishra (بشرى ), Hareema (حريما), Kufrasad, Kufraan(كفرعان), Jumha, Kufryuba, Zahar, Qum, Sammou', Izmal, Kufrelma, Soum(سوم), Saydoor, Samma, Ibser Abu Ali, Assarieh, Aidoon, Al Hisn
, Baleela, Kitim, Beit Ras, Dowgarah, En-Nu`aymeh, Habaka, Houfa Al-Westiyyah, Qumaim, Huwwarah
, Imrawah, Ramtha, Sal, Samad, Shajara, Turrah, hatim, melka, foauta , Zoubia, Rehaba, Kharja, Dair yousef, Dair abos'eed, Dair yosef, kufor kefia, summer, e'nbeh, Dair Esse'neh (دير السعنة), Mandah, Zabda, as well as the town of Malka (ملكا).
Irbid is at the top of the Jordanian agricultural regions especially in the production of citrus
, olive
s, wheat
and bee honey
.
Governorates of Jordan
||The country of Jordan is divided into 12 governorates .-References:...
. It is located north of Amman
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost...
, Jordan's capital. The capital of the governorate of Irbid is the city of Irbid
Irbid
Irbid , known in ancient times as Arabella or Arbela , is the capital and largest city of the Irbid Governorate. It also has the second largest metropolitan population in Jordan after Amman, with a population of around 660,000, and is located about 70 km north of Amman on the northern ridge of...
. It has the second largest population in Jordan after Amman Governorate
Amman Governorate
Officially known as Muhafazat al-Asima , Amman Governorate is one of the governorates - locally known as muhafazat - in Jordan. This governorate's capital is the City of Amman, It is also Jordan's capital...
, and the highest population density in the country.
History
Irbid was distinguished by the GreekAncient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
, Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
and Islamic
Islamic civilization
Islamic civilization may refer to:*Islamic Golden Age*Muslim world*Caliphate...
civilization
Civilization
Civilization is a sometimes controversial term that has been used in several related ways. Primarily, the term has been used to refer to the material and instrumental side of human cultures that are complex in terms of technology, science, and division of labor. Such civilizations are generally...
s leaving behind them historical and archaeological sites. Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
and Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
cities such as Arabella
Arabella
Arabella is a lyric comedy or opera in 3 acts by Richard Strauss to a German libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, their sixth and last operatic collaboration. It was first performed on 1 July 1933, at the Dresden Sächsisches Staatstheater....
(Irbid), Capitolias (Beit–Ras), Dion
Dion, Jordan
Dion is the name of an ancient city, which was a member of the Decapolis. The exact location of the city is still disputed, but is thought to be a site site near Al Hisn currently known as Aydoun, around the city of Irbid in Jordan.-External links:*...
(Al Hisn
Al Hisn
Al Husun is a town in northern Jordan, located north of Amman, and about south of Irbid. It has a population of 33,000. The region has fertile soil which along with the moderate climate allows the growing of high quality crops. Al Husn was known for its wine; now its main products are wheat...
) that contains the Roman artificial hill and small Roman lake (water reservoir), Gadara (Umm Qais), Pella
Pella
Pella , an ancient Greek city located in Pella Prefecture of Macedonia in Greece, was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia.-Etymology:...
(Tabeqt Fahel) and Abello (Qwailbeh) were established. They were members of the Decapolis
Decapolis
The Decapolis was a group of ten cities on the eastern frontier of the Roman Empire in Judea and Syria. The ten cities were not an official league or political unit, but they were grouped together because of their language, culture, location, and political status...
: a pact that consists of the ten Roman cities in the area. Ghassanids had established their country in the north of Jordan covering Irbid, Golan
Golan
Golan was a biblical city in Land of Israel. It was in the territory of Manasseh in the Bashan.Golan was the most northerly of the three cities of refuge east of the Jordan River . Manasseh gave this city to the Gershonite Levites .According to the Bible, the Israelites conquered Golan from the...
and Horan
Horan
Horan is a surname that originated in County Galway, Ireland, and from there spread into County Mayo.Notable people with the name Horan include:*Allan Horan , New Zealand rower*Arthur Horan , Irish rugby union player...
plains. It was described as the most beautiful Syrian countries. Also it had the Islamic soldiers’ supplies. Christianity spread out there in the second and the third century A.D.
Irbid witnessed the Edom
Edom
Edom or Idumea was a historical region of the Southern Levant located south of Judea and the Dead Sea. It is mentioned in biblical records as a 1st millennium BC Iron Age kingdom of Edom, and in classical antiquity the cognate name Idumea was used to refer to a smaller area in the same region...
ite and Ammonite civilizations. Its significance was reflected in the Hellenistic period. With the conversion work of Islam, the Islamic opening armies achieved an advance. As a result, Sharhabeel Bin Hasnaa made a glorious Islamic victory in 13 A.H (634 A.D.). He opened Irbid, Beit-Ras and Umm Qais. The Islamic leader Abu Obideh Amer Bin Al-Jarrah was able to open Pella. In 15 A.H. (636 A.D.) and in the prime of these victories, Khalid Bin Al-Walid managed to crush out the Roman armies in the long Battle of Yarmouk
Battle of Yarmouk
The Battle of Yarmouk was a major battle between the Muslim Arab forces of the Rashidun Caliphate and the armies of the East Roman-Byzantine Empire. The battle consisted of a series of engagements that lasted for six days in August 636, near the Yarmouk River, along what is today the border...
. Consequently, he managed to put an end to the Roman presence in the area. In 583 A.H (1187 A.D.) Saladin
Saladin
Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn Yūsuf ibn Ayyūb , better known in the Western world as Saladin, was an Arabized Kurdish Muslim, who became the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria, and founded the Ayyubid dynasty. He led Muslim and Arab opposition to the Franks and other European Crusaders in the Levant...
’s armies advanced to Hittin
Hittin
Hittin was a Palestinian village, located approximately west of Tiberias. The site of the Battle of Hattin in 1187, in which Saladin conquered most of interior Palestine from the Crusaders, Hittin is a nationalist symbol for Arabs and Palestinians...
in which the most ferocious battle in the history of the Crusades
Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars, blessed by the Pope and the Catholic Church with the main goal of restoring Christian access to the holy places in and near Jerusalem...
took place, This battle was followed by recapturing Jerusalem and returning it back to the Islamic sovereignty.
During the Mamluk
Mamluk
A Mamluk was a soldier of slave origin, who were predominantly Cumans/Kipchaks The "mamluk phenomenon", as David Ayalon dubbed the creation of the specific warrior...
period, Irbid played an important role as a stopping point for the pilgrims’ caravans coming from Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, north of Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and south of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. It was an important communication hub and a gateway to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, Hijaz and Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
coast, especially during the time in which Irbid was linked with Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, which had a positive effect on the cultural and scientific movement of Irbid, as referred by historical writings. In addition to the spread of a number of scientists and Islamic jurisprudence
Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence is the theory and philosophy of law. Scholars of jurisprudence, or legal theorists , hope to obtain a deeper understanding of the nature of law, of legal reasoning, legal systems and of legal institutions...
scholars, the Islamic expansion left many graves of the companions of the prophet Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
, many mosques and Islamic buildings such as Dar Assaraya (the former prison) which has been converted into a museum, Hibras Mamluk Mosque, Irbid Mamluke Mosque and Saham Umayyed Mosque.
Geography
Irbid Governorate is located in the far north west of Jordan in the Yarmouk RiverYarmouk River
The Yarmouk River is the largest tributary of the Jordan River. It drains much of the Hauran Plateau. It is one of three main tributaries which enter the Jordan between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. To the south, are the Jabbok/Zarqa and the Arnon/Wadi Mujib) rivers...
basin and Jordan Valley, It is part of the Houran plateau, which covers northern Jordan, the Golan Heights and south-west Syria.
The governorate is bordered by Syria (the Golan Heights) from the north, the Jordan River from the west, Mafraq Governorate
Mafraq Governorate
Mafraq is one of the governorates of Jordan, located to the north-east of Amman, capital of Jordan. It has a population of 254,219 with a percentage of 4.5% of Jordan's population...
from the east, and Jerash
Jerash Governorate
Jerash is one of the governorates of Jordan; it is located north of Amman, Jordan's capital. It carrys the name of its capital and largest city, Jerash City....
, Ajloun
Ajloun Governorate
Ajlun Governorate is one of the governorates of Jordan, located north of Amman the capital of Jordan. Ajlun Governorate has the fourth highest population density in the kingdom of Jordan with a population density of 335 ppkm2...
and Balqa Governorates from the south.
Demographics
The Jordan national census of 2004 demographic data indicate that Irbid Governorate had a population of 928,292. Estimates put the population slightly over one million for the year 2009. The next census is scheduled to be held in 2014.| Demographics of Irbid Governorate (2004 Census) | |
|---|---|
| Female to Male ratio | 48.9% to 51.1% |
| Jordanian citizens to foreign nationals | 96.6% to 3.4% |
| Urban population | 707,420 |
| Rural population | 220,872 |
| Total population | 928,292 |
Administrative Divisions
Irbid
Irbid , known in ancient times as Arabella or Arbela , is the capital and largest city of the Irbid Governorate. It also has the second largest metropolitan population in Jordan after Amman, with a population of around 660,000, and is located about 70 km north of Amman on the northern ridge of...
| Department | Arabic Name | Population (2004) | Administrative Center | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Capital Department (Al-Qasabeh) | لواء القصبة | 375,594 | The city of Irbid Irbid Irbid , known in ancient times as Arabella or Arbela , is the capital and largest city of the Irbid Governorate. It also has the second largest metropolitan population in Jordan after Amman, with a population of around 660,000, and is located about 70 km north of Amman on the northern ridge of... |
| 2 | Bani Obaid Department | لواء بني عبيد | 93,561 | Al Hisn Al Hisn Al Husun is a town in northern Jordan, located north of Amman, and about south of Irbid. It has a population of 33,000. The region has fertile soil which along with the moderate climate allows the growing of high quality crops. Al Husn was known for its wine; now its main products are wheat... |
| 3 | Al-Mazar Al-Shamali Department | لواء المزار الشمالي | 44,166 | Al Mazar al Shamali Al Mazar al Shamali Al Mazar al Shamali or Northern al Mazar is a town in the Irbid Governorate of north-western Jordan. Located 15km south-west of Irbid it has a population of approximately 16,000 people.... |
| 4 | Ar Ramtha Department | لواء الرمثا | 109,142 | Ar Ramtha Ar Ramtha Ar Ramtha, also known as Al-Ramtha is a city situated in the far northwest of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It covers 40 km, and has a population of 120,365 people.-Name:Ar Ramtha is named after a local desert plant, Al Ramath... |
| 5 | Bani Kinaneh Department | لواء بني كنانة | 76,398 | Sama Alrusan |
| 6 | Koura Department | لواء الكورة | 91,050 | Der Abi Saeed |
| 7 | Al-Aghwar Al Shamaliyyeh | لواء الأغوار الشمالية | 85,203 | North Shuneh (الشونة الشمالية) |
| 8 | Taybeh Department | لواء الطيبة | 29,318 | Taybeh |
| 9 | Wasatieh Department | لواء الوسطية | 24,046 | Kufr Asad |
Cities, Towns, and Villages
IrbidIrbid
Irbid , known in ancient times as Arabella or Arbela , is the capital and largest city of the Irbid Governorate. It also has the second largest metropolitan population in Jordan after Amman, with a population of around 660,000, and is located about 70 km north of Amman on the northern ridge of...
, the "Bride of the North," is considered as one of the most beautiful Jordanian cities. Its population amounts to 650,000 and situated on a plain land, 65 km. to the north of the capital, Amman
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost...
. It is situated in the north west of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, surrounded by fertile agricultural lands from north, east, west and south. Irbid was named “The Daisy” after the daisy
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
flower, which grows in its plains. Irbid witnessed human settlements 5000 B.C., such as settlements of the Edomites, Ghassanids and Southern Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
civilizations.
The second largest city in Irbid Governorate is Ar Ramtha
Ar Ramtha
Ar Ramtha, also known as Al-Ramtha is a city situated in the far northwest of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It covers 40 km, and has a population of 120,365 people.-Name:Ar Ramtha is named after a local desert plant, Al Ramath...
, Um Qais or (Gadara) as it was called during the Byzantine
Byzantine
Byzantine usually refers to the Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.Byzantine may also refer to:* A citizen of the Byzantine Empire, or native Greek during the Middle Ages...
period is the most popular touristic destination in the Governorate. Many villages surround the city of Irbid including: Hartha(حرثا) Kufr-Soum (كفرسوم), Al-Rafeed (الرفيد), Hibras (حبراص), Yubla (يبلا),Al-Taybeh (الطيبة), Habaka
Habaka
Habaka is a small hill town in northern Jordan, located 75 km north of the capital Amman , and about 5 km south of Irbid . The region has a very fertile soil along with suitable climate allows the growing of wide variety of high quality crops. The main products are olives and grapes...
(حبكا),Kufr-Rahta( كفررحتا ), Al-Mazar Al-Shamali (المزار الشمالي), Bushra or Bishra (بشرى ), Hareema (حريما), Kufrasad, Kufraan(كفرعان), Jumha, Kufryuba, Zahar, Qum, Sammou', Izmal, Kufrelma, Soum(سوم), Saydoor, Samma, Ibser Abu Ali, Assarieh, Aidoon, Al Hisn
Al Hisn
Al Husun is a town in northern Jordan, located north of Amman, and about south of Irbid. It has a population of 33,000. The region has fertile soil which along with the moderate climate allows the growing of high quality crops. Al Husn was known for its wine; now its main products are wheat...
, Baleela, Kitim, Beit Ras, Dowgarah, En-Nu`aymeh, Habaka, Houfa Al-Westiyyah, Qumaim, Huwwarah
Huwwarah
Huwwarah , also spelled Huwwara and Huwarrah, is a village in northern Jordan. It is situated in the Governorate of Irbid, and is one of many agricultural villages in the fertile mud plains of Hauran. The mud plains of Hauran bridge the gap between the Golan Heights in the west and the Sham desert...
, Imrawah, Ramtha, Sal, Samad, Shajara, Turrah, hatim, melka, foauta , Zoubia, Rehaba, Kharja, Dair yousef, Dair abos'eed, Dair yosef, kufor kefia, summer, e'nbeh, Dair Esse'neh (دير السعنة), Mandah, Zabda, as well as the town of Malka (ملكا).
Economy
There are three Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZ) in Irbid Governorate: Prince Hasan Industrial City, Cyber City, and Jordan River Crossing City. The net exports value of Prince Hasan Industrial City reached US$ 274 million in 2001 benefiting from its status as a Qualified Industrial Zone (QIZ). Clothings, chemicals and electronics constituted its main exports.Irbid is at the top of the Jordanian agricultural regions especially in the production of citrus
Citrus
Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the rue family, Rutaceae. Citrus is believed to have originated in the part of Southeast Asia bordered by Northeastern India, Myanmar and the Yunnan province of China...
, olive
Olive
The olive , Olea europaea), is a species of a small tree in the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean Basin as well as northern Iran at the south end of the Caspian Sea.Its fruit, also called the olive, is of major agricultural importance in the...
s, wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
and bee honey
Honey
Honey is a sweet food made by bees using nectar from flowers. The variety produced by honey bees is the one most commonly referred to and is the type of honey collected by beekeepers and consumed by humans...
.