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Town of northern Jordan near Wadi al-Arab which is a tributary to the
Jordan River, spreaded over a straight landscape known as Horan Savanna
with about 370,000 inhabitants (1999 estimate). It is also the seat of
Irbid governorate, and it was part of the Decapolis. Irbid is both a centre
of the surrounding agricultural region, the most fertile in Jordan, as
well as housing a good number of industries. Because of its geographical
location, Irbid has always been important throughout history and is the
birthplace of many great civilizations. Irbid is fed by several mineral
springs and area of forest, especially in the northern hills, but the main
source is the Yarmouk river.
Irbid is believed to be the last of successive settlements in this region, that goes back to the Early Bronze Age, which would mean that Irbid has a history of a period of 6,000- 7,000 years. Irbid is the Beth Arbel, as it is known from the Bible.
Irbid governorate has three modern universities; the Yarmouk University, which was founded in 1976, the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) , which was founded in 1985 and the Irbid National University , which was founded in late 1990's , which have faculties in arts, sciences, economics, education,medicine,engineering , etc .
Irbid governorate has many attractive cities,towns, villages and locations that contains historical as well as biblical and Islamic ruins such as :
Pella in the north Jordan Valley
is one of the largest and most important archaeological sites in the region.
Situated on the banks of the Wadi Jirm, it contains buildings from the
Roman, Byzantine and Islamic periods (2nd to 14th centuries A.D.), but
archaeologists believe that it stands on top of a much older site, which
has been inhabited since 5,000B.C.
At present there are columns, a few buildings and a small amphitheatre
to be seen, but Pella is still in the process of being excavated and archaeologists
predict that when it is fully restored, it will be at least as large as
Jerash.
Umm Qais is situated close to the
Syrian border, about 19 miles (31km) northwest of the city of Irbid. Known
as Gadara in the Bible, this ancient city has only been partially excavated.
The ruins of three theatres have already been uncovered, together with
an aqueduct, a temple and a colonnaded street.
Archaeologists are confident that these ruins, when fully excavated,
will constitute a major city. A small museum contains artefacts from the
area. An excellent view of the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias) and the Golan
Heights can be obtained from a vantage point at the top of one of the theatres.
A few kilometres downhill from the ruins are the thermal hot springs of
Himmeh.
Abila is as yet unexcavated, but
considerable remains of the city can be seen scattered about the landscape,
on two adjacent hills.
The Yarmouk River (a tributary
to the Jordan river) runs through Irbid. The Yarmouk River was the place
of a famous winning battle (The Yarmouk Battle) for the Islamic armies
when they spread Islam through the Roman Empire.
Ajlun Rabadh Castle in Ajlun (now
governate), Rabadh Castle was built by the Crusaders in Ajloun which had
a stratigical important all over the time and in the period of the muslim
leader Salah El din El AYYOUBY they were defeated .
Bargash Forest, located near irbid
with the most beautiful seen in Irbid and Jordan, give us the charming
feeling of deep nature and how we intend to make all Irbid governate green.
The
forest will whisper into your ear how proud we are having such an amazing
places in Jordan.
Zaqiqa Spring, located near irbid,
a natural spring water with fabulous seen with. once you visited it you
will be flattered.
Irbid governorate has many attractive
cities,towns, villages (Husn, Eidoun,Sarih, Nuaimah, Houwwarah, Bishra,
Sal, Mighayyer, Shajarah, Umrawah, Torrah, Ramtha, Thunaybah, Alaal, Malka,
Sama, Kharja, Hartha, Deir Abu Said, Balilah, Mazar, Samad, Nuaymah, Kitim,
Shatanah, Kofr Youba, Kofr Alma, Kofr Asad, Kofr Awan, Kofr Soom, Kofr
Yousef, Kofr Khal, Gam, Gumaym, Izreet, Deir El Sineh, Beyt Ras, Umm Qais
... etc.) worth to be visited.
Irbid tends to be hot and dry in Summer and cooler and wetter in Winter - January and February are the wettest months. Irbid is very pleasant throughout most of the year but the most popular times to visit Irbid and the country side is during Spring you can be flatered with very beautiful scense, specifically March, April and May, Autumn, specifically September, October and the first half of November and what about winter December(Christmas and New Year) January and February.A twenty minute drive to the mountains in the winter takes you to light snow areas and a couple of hours drive towards the southwest to the Ghawr takes you to the lowest land spot on earth by the dead sea where the weather is warm . The monthly average temperatures in Fahrenheit and Celsius are as follows:
Tempreture Average in IRBID
| JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
| F | 46 | 48 | 53 | 60 | 69 | 74 | 77 | 78 | 74 | 69 | 59 | 50 |
| C | 8 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 23 | 21 | 15 | 10 |
Geographic coordinates
: 31 00 N, 36 00 E
Altitude
: 1,028 m / 3,372 ft
Agriculture
: Grain (90%), chickpeas, apples, grapes
Animal husbandry
: Sheep
How to get to Irbid
Visitors with a valid passport may obtain a visa at any Jordanian embassy,
consulate, or legation abroad. You can also obtain a visa upon arrival
at Amman's Queen Alia International Airport; payment must be in local currency
(you can change money at the bank next to the visa office in the Arrivals
Hall). Visas are valid for two weeks, but can be extended at any police
station. No inoculations are required for entry into Jordan, although preventive
shots for hepatitis, polio, tetanus and typhoid are recommended
By Air
After passport control, collect your baggage and proceed to customs.
Baggage carts are available from the attendant for a 1/2 JD fee. Porters
are available to assist if necessary.The airport is 32 km south of Amman.
A bus service leaves the airport every half an hour to Amman's Abdali bus
station and from their you can take a bus or a car to Irbid, but the easiest
way to get to the Irbid is by taxi (25 JD=$35). The journey should take
about one and half an hour.
By Road
Coming to Irbid Jordan by road from Syria (fifteen minuets from the
border), cross from Dera into Ramtha. From Egypt, a car ferry service operates
from Nuwayba to Aqaba. Visas should be obtained in advance. There are two
crossing points between Jordan and Israel and one crossing point between
Jordan and Palestinian Authority. King Hussein Bridge (Allenby), located
near Shouneh north of the Dead Sea is open from 08:00 till midnight except
Fridays and Saturdays from 08:00 till 15:00.
About JORDAN
Jordan is one of the most ancient inhabited area in the world. It is
rich of antiquities. Excavations and studies show that some of its regions
were inhabited since six thousand years.
Jordan was a caravan route for the ancient people like Pharaoh, Hittite,
and Assyrians. It was captured by many invadors in ancient times.
The Romans ( 63 B.C. - 342 A.D. ) left many remains and constructed
huge cities. The most important of which are Philadelphia ( Amman ), Gerasa
( Jerash ), Pella ( Tabaqat Fahl ), and Gadara ( Um Qies ).
In the Byzantine Period ( AD. 324 - 640 ), most of the remains are
ancient churches with mosaic floors. The most important of which is situated
at Madaba.
The Nabataeans ruled Jordan in 100 B.C. They were Arab people. They
were famous in architectural engineering and they built Petra. Their rule
continued for 600 years.
The Muslims opened Jordan in A.D. 636. In the Umayyad Caliphs Period,
whose capital was Damascus, the Umayyads left many remains like the Desert
Palaces which were built as rest stations in the desert routes and for
hunting and horsemanship. The most important of which is the Umayyad Palace
on the Citadel of Amman as well as the palace of Mushatta, Amra, Tuba and
others.
In A.D. 1115, the Crusaders started their invasions of the south of
Jordan. They built many castles to protect the routes of transport and
control. The most important of which are in Kerak and Shoubak until A.D.
1187 when Ayyubid leader Salah el Dein el Ayyubi defeated them. They also
built the Rabadh Castle at Ajlun.
During the Mamluke Period, the Rabadh Castle was enlarged and they
also built a castle at Aqaba.
Then, Jordan became a part of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century
A.D. until early 20th century. After the Ottomans, Jordan was placed under
the British mandate.
In 1946, the Hashemite Prince Abdullah Ibn al-Hussein Ibn Ali declared
the independence of Jordan and then became the King of Jordan.
In 1952, His Majesty King Hussien Ibn Talal Ibn Abdullah was proclaimed
King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Since then, Jordan achieved a
new era of progress and prosperity.
Jordan is characterized by its different physiography like the Ghor
( rift vally ), mountains and desert. The Ghor extends from north to south
with a length of 370 Kms. The Dead Sea, which is the lowest spot on earth,
392 Meters below sea level, is in its center. Its average temperature in
Winter is 20 degrees centigrade which makes it a nice winter resort.
The mountains extend from Syria in the north and pass the limestone
mountains in Petra to the Gulf of Aqaba in the south. The average temperature
on the mountains in Summer at day time is 25 degrees centigrade. This means
that they are a nice Summer resort.
The desert comprises more than two thirds of Jordan. Jordan has one
sea port, Aqaba, which is well known of its moderate temperature in Winter
as well as the average temperature during the day time is 20 degrees centigrade.
This allows the visitor to enjoy its beach in this season. Its beach is
very fine and many international tournaments like water skiing are held
there. Its water is crystal clear and scuba diving can be enjoyed by seeing
corals and coloured fish.
