Country Jordan Elevation 502 m (1,647 ft) Area code(s) +(962)2 Local time Tuesday 1:54 AM | Municipality established 1927 Time zone GMT +2 Population 120,367 (2010) Province Irbid Governorate | |
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Weather 16°C, Wind SE at 14 km/h, 20% Humidity University Jordan University of Science and Technology | ||
Ar Ramtha, also known as Al-Ramtha (Arabic: الرمثا) is a city situated in the far northwest of Jordan. It covers 40km2, and has a population of 120,365 people.
Contents
Map of Ramtha, Jordan
Name
Ar Ramtha is named after a local desert plant, al-ramath (Arabic: الرمث). During its occupation by the Roman Empire, the city was known as Ramatha.
History
The Roman Empire utilized Ar Ramtha as a remote hub to cross-link their colonies. The ruins of buildings and ancient Roman antiquities have been discovered at different parts of Ar Ramtha. During the Islamic expansion, Ar Ramtha, which was in the Houran territory, was a port for Muslim scholars crossing between Syria and Al-Hijaz. Historically and sociologically, the city is the twin to Daraa city in Syria, which is located on just the other side of the border.
In 1596 it appeared in the Ottoman tax registers under the name of Ramta, being part of the nahiya of Butayna in the Qada of Hauran. It had an entirely Muslim population consisting of 16 households and 3 bachelors. They paid a fixed tax-rate of 40% on agricultural products, including wheat, barley, summer crops, goats and bee-hives; a total of 2,740 akçe. Half of this was Waqf income.
Economy
Ar Ramtha's economy relies on commerce and import and export trading. The Al Hassan industrial estate houses several outsourcing companies supported by foreign shareholders with most of the products sold to American and European markets.
Culture
The city is famous for the inherited ritual-poetries recited in wedding ceremonies and public affairs. Dabke is a famous dance. Mijwez music originated in Ar Ramtha. Famous artists from Ar Ramtha are Nayef El-Zubi, Hussein Al-Salman, Lil ZeeJo (Rapper), Anas Allaham, Anwar alshare, Mitaab Al-Saggar and the rapper Malik emad.
Sport
This city has two sports clubs, Al-Ramtha SC, a football club which is also a member of the premium Jordan League, and Ittihad Al-Ramtha, another football club which is a member in the first division in Jordanian Football League.
Education
The city is home to the Jordan University of Science and Technology, which includes a large University hospital that provides medical treatment in the region, and offers chances to medical students in the university to intern and learn during their study years.