{{Short description|City in Irbid Governorate, Jordan}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = Ar-Ramtha | native_name = {{lang|ar|لواء الرمثا}} | settlement_type = City | nickname = <!-- images and maps -----------> | image_skyline = Ramtha hall.jpg | imagesize = 250px | image_caption = The City Hall | image_flag = Flag of Greater Al-Ramtha Municipality.png | image_seal = | pushpin_map = Jordan | pushpin_label_position = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Jordan | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Irbid Governorate | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Ar-Ramtha District | government_type = Municipality | established_title = Municipality established | established_date = 1927 | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Jamal Abu Ubaid | area_metro_km2 = | area_metro_sq_mi = | population_as_of = 2015 | population_total = 155,693 | population_metro = | population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dos.gov.jo/dos_home_a/main/population/census2015/No_of_pop_depand_on_GOV.pdf|title=The General Census – 2015 |publisher=Department of Population Statistics}}</ref> | timezone = GMT +2 | utc_offset = | timezone_DST = +3 | coordinates = {{coord|32|33|32|N|36|0|53|E|region:JO|display=inline,title}} | grid_name = PAL | grid_position = 245/218 | area_code = +(962)2 | elevation_m = 502 | elevation_ft = | elevation_footnotes = | website = http://www.ramthacity.gov.jo }} '''Ar-Ramtha''' ({{langx|ar|الرَّمثا|ar-Ramṯā}}), colloquially transliterated as '''Ar-Romtha''' ({{langx|ar|الرُّمثا|ar-Rumṯā}}), is a city situated in the far northwest of Jordan near the border with Syria. It covers 40 km<sup>2</sup> on a plain 30 km northeast of the Jordan River and Irbid. In 2017, Ar-Ramtha had a population of approximately 164,211, making it the eleventh largest city in Jordan, and the second in Irbid Governorate, and the city has grown since then.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://dosweb.dos.gov.jo/DataBank/Population_Estimares/2017/PopulationEstimatesbyLocality.pdf| title=Population of Jordan 2017| access-date=1 November 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825062939/http://dosweb.dos.gov.jo/DataBank/Population_Estimares/2017/PopulationEstimatesbyLocality.pdf| archive-date=25 August 2018| url-status=dead}}</ref> It is part of the Ar-Ramtha district of the Irbid Governorate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/php/jordan-admin.php|title=Jordan: Administrative Division, Governorates and Districts|publisher=citypopulation.de|access-date=25 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jo.undp.org/content/dam/jordan/docs/Governance/Atlas%20of%20electoral%20districts.pdf|title=Atlas of ELECTORAL DISTRICTS|website=UNDP|access-date=30 January 2019}}</ref>
The '''Al-Zoubi (Arabic: الزعبي)''', also written '''Al-Zu'bi''' or '''Zoubi''', is a large Arab clan with historical roots in the Levant, particularly in '''southern Syria and northern Jordan''', and with communities also present in parts of '''northern Israel'''. The clan historically held social and religious influence in the '''Hauran region''', where its members were associated with leadership roles in the '''Qadiriyya Sufi order''', contributing to their regional prominence. <ref>Shoup, John A. (2007). Culture and Customs of Jordan. Greenwood Press.
Rogan, Eugene L. (1999). Frontiers of the State in the Late Ottoman Empire: Transjordan, 1850–1921. Cambridge University Press.
Trimingham, J. Spencer (1971). The Sufi Orders in Islam. Oxford University Press.
Knysh, Alexander (2000). Islamic Mysticism: A Short History. Brill.
Versteegh, Kees (2014). The Arabic Language. Edinburgh University Press.</ref>
The name '''Al-Zoubi''' is a patronymic Arabic surname indicating descent from an ancestral figure known as '''Zoubi''', with the prefix “Al-” signifying “the family of” or “descendants of.”
==Etymology== The origin of the name '''Ar-Ramtha''' is subject to scholarly debate. One widely accepted explanation links the name to '''al-ramath (Arabic: الرمث)''', a desert shrub native to the region that historically grew in abundance in northern Jordan. This interpretation reflects the longstanding Arab tradition of naming settlements after prominent local vegetation and geographic features.<ref>{{cite book|last=Rogan |first=Eugene L. |title=Frontiers of the State in the Late Ottoman Empire: Transjordan, 1850–1921 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1999 |isbn=978-0521892230}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Kennedy |first=Hugh |title=The Great Arab Conquests: How the Spread of Islam Changed the World We Live In |publisher=Da Capo Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0306817403}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Shoup |first=John A. |title=Culture and Customs of Jordan |publisher=Greenwood Press |year=2007 |isbn=978-0313336713}}</ref>
Some historical and archaeological studies have also proposed connections between Ar-Ramtha and earlier settlements in the '''Gilead region''', suggesting continuity of habitation in the area since antiquity. During the '''Roman and Byzantine periods''', the settlement was recorded under the name '''Ramatha''', reflecting its integration into broader administrative networks of the eastern Mediterranean.<ref>{{cite book|last=Abu-Manneh |first=Butrus |title=Studies on Islam and the Ottoman Empire in the 19th Century |publisher=Isis Press |year=2001}}</ref>
Following the Islamic conquests of the 7th century CE, the region of northern Jordan, including Ar-Ramtha, became part of the expanding Islamic territories under the Rashidun and later Umayyad caliphates. The surrounding '''Hauran region''' played an important role in agricultural production and trade routes connecting '''Damascus''' with southern Levantine territories. Over subsequent centuries, the area remained inhabited under successive Islamic administrations, including the Abbasid and Ottoman periods.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hourani |first=Albert |title=A History of the Arab Peoples |publisher=Harvard University Press |year=1991 |isbn=978-0674395657}}</ref>
The origin of the name Ar-Ramtha is debated. Some claim it is named after a local desert plant, al-ramath ({{langx|ar|الرمثا}}). Many biblical archaeologists identify Ar-Ramtha with the ancient Israelite city of Ramoth-Gilead, Hebrew for "Heights of Gilead"; in that case, the present-day Arabic name might preserve the Biblical Hebrew one.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
During the Roman and Byzantine periods, Ar-Ramtha was known as Ramatha.
==History==
===Prehistory=== The stable climate in ar-Ramtha and its surrounding areas attracted many animals to live in neighborhood of ar-Ramtha, as well the simple conditions for managing a stable long life there attracted humans to make those regions their earliest choices to gather in groups of hunters and to live in rocky caves.
===Ancient history=== Artifacts and graves in the area show that ar-Ramtha has been inhabited at least since the Bronze Age, but the lack of study of the region gives us no exact information about when humans had selected the land for living.
Ar-Ramtha might be the location of the Israelite city of Ramoth-Gilead, a Levitical city and city of refuge east of the Jordan River, mentioned several times in the Hebrew Bible.<ref name=":0">Knauf, E. A., 2001: The Mists of Ramthalon, or, How Ramoth-Gilead disappeared from the Archaeological Record. BN 110, 33–36.</ref><ref name=":1">Lapp, P., 1968: Tell er-Rumeith. RB 75, 98–105.</ref> According to the Books of Kings, Ramoth-Gilead was the location of a battle between Kingdom of Israel and Aram Damascus. During the battle, King Ahab of Israel joined King Jehoshaphat of Judah to fights the Aramaeans but was hit by an arrow and died from his wounds. Later on, it was also the location of a battle where Ahaziah of Israel and Jehoram of Judah fought against Hazael, king of Aram Damascus, and Jehoram was wounded. In this city, Jehu, the son of Jehoshaphat, was anointed by Elisha.
===Classical Era=== 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 spread of Islam, ar-Ramtha, which was in the Hauran territory, was a port for Muslim scholars crossing between Syria and the Hejaz. Historically and sociologically, the city is the twin to Daraa city in Syria, which is located on just the other side of the border.{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}
[[File:Ar Rantha Byzantine site.jpg|thumb|200px|right|A Byzantine archeological site in Ar-Ramtha]]
===Ottoman era=== In 1596 it appeared in the Ottoman tax registers under the name of ''Ramta'', being part of the ''nahiya'' of Butayna in the Qadaa 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.<ref>Hütteroth and Abdulfattah, 1977, p. 214</ref>
In 1838 Eli Smith noted that the place, called ''er-Remtheh'', was located west of the Hajj road, and that it was in ruins.<ref>Robinson and Smith, 1841, vol 3, 2nd appendix, p. [https://archive.org/stream/biblicalresearch03robiuoft#page/161/mode/1up 161]</ref>
===Modern era=== The Jordanian census of 1961 found 10,791 inhabitants in Ramtha.<ref>Government of Jordan, Department of Statistics, 1964, p. [http://users.cecs.anu.edu.au/~bdm/yabber/census/JordanCensusPages/JordanCensus1961-p13.pdf 13]</ref> The city has grown to a population of 263,680 in 2021. Due to its location, Ramtha played a significant role in helping refugees fleeing the Syrian Civil War to Jordan.
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==Geography== North west of ar-Ramtha is the second largest source of shale oil in Jordan,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20260118213032/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/jordan/ The World Factbook]</ref> which if it is used in producing oil, can enhance economics in Jordan significantly.
==Climate== Ar-Ramtha experiences a Mediterranean climate (Csa~Dsa). The summer is hot and long (four months in average), but it has cool nights. Temperatures range in summer from {{convert|27|°C|°F|abbr=on}} – {{convert|33|°C|°F|abbr=on}}. Spring and fall temperatures are ideal for a human's body, they range from {{convert|17|°C|°F|abbr=on}} – {{convert|23|°C|°F|abbr=on}}. The winter sees nighttime temperatures sometimes below{{convert|0|°C|°F|abbr=on}}, with snowfall once or twice a year. The climate is similar to that of nearby Irbid.
==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.{{cn|date=January 2023}}
Before the outbreak of war in Syria in 2011, Ramtha's economy depended in large part on imports, both licit and illicit, with Syria. These goods were imported by so-called "bahhara" (sailors), Jordanian drivers permitted to enter Syria. Since 2011, this trade has dried up, causing increases in unemployment and poverty in Ramtha.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tokmajyan |first1=Armenak |title=Thwarting Jordan’s Bahhara Trade With Syria Risks Social Unrest in Ramtha |url=https://carnegie-mec.org/2021/04/19/thwarting-jordan-s-bahhara-trade-with-syria-risks-social-unrest-in-ramtha-pub-84351 |website=Carnegie Middle East Center |access-date=January 20, 2023}}</ref>
==Culture== The city is famous for the inherited ritual-poetries recited in wedding ceremonies and public affairs. Dabke is an Arab folk dance native to Ar-Ramtha. Prominent artists from Ar-Ramtha include Hussein Al-Salman, Lil ZeeJo - (Husam El-Zubi), Malik Allaham, Najem Al-Salman, Suliman Athamneh, Hala Athamneh, and Mitaab Al-Saggar, Issa Al-Saggar .{{cn|date=July 2025}}
==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== [[Image:JUST ramtha.jpg|thumb|400px|right|The Jordan University of Science and Technology]]
The city is home to the Jordan University of Science and Technology, which includes a large University hospital, KAUH that provides medical treatment in the region, and offers chances to medical students in the university to intern and learn during their study years.
==See also==
==References== {{Reflist|25em}}
==Bibliography== {{Refbegin}} *{{cite book | title = First Census of Population and Housing. Volume I: Final Tables; General Characteristics of the Population | author = Government of Jordan, Department of Statistics | year = 1964|url=http://cs.anu.edu.au/~bdm/yabber/census/JordanCensus1961bits.pdf}} *{{cite book | last1 = Hütteroth |first1=W.-D.|author-link1=Wolf-Dieter Hütteroth | last2 = Abdulfattah|first2=K. |author-link2=Kamal Abdulfattah | title = Historical Geography of Palestine, Transjordan and Southern Syria in the Late 16th Century |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=wqULAAAAIAAJ | year = 1977 | publisher = Erlanger Geographische Arbeiten, Sonderband 5. Erlangen, Germany: Vorstand der Fränkischen Geographischen Gesellschaft |isbn= 3-920405-41-2}} *{{cite book | last1=Robinson|first1=E.|authorlink1=Edward Robinson (scholar) | last2=Smith|first2=E.|authorlink2=Eli Smith | year=1841 | url=http://archive.org/details/biblicalresearch03robiuoft | title=Biblical Researches in Palestine, Mount Sinai and Arabia Petraea: A Journal of Travels in the year 1838 | location=Boston | publisher=Crocker & Brewster | volume=3}} {{Refend}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Ar Ramtha}} *[https://www.google.com/maps/@32.5584536,36.014667,15z google-map] *[http://www.nla.gov.au/apps/cdview/?pi=nla.map-vn745520-s22l Deraa-map; 22L] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20161108142757/http://triptojordan.com/content/jerash Around Romtha Guide] *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100924053247/http://www.co-ground.com/travel/photos/360_Amman_m.html 360 degrees panorama from the Citadel Hill in central Amman]}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20090308112230/http://www.amman.net/index.php Amman interactive map] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080928104927/http://www.jordanpic.com/photo/thumbnails.php?album=5 Amman photo Gallery] *[http://www.ianandwendy.com/Jordan/Amman/slideshow.htm Amman photo Slideshow] *[https://acor.digitalrelab.com/index.php?s=filter=place_name:Tall%20Rumeith%20(Jordan) Photos of Tall Rumeith] at the American Center of Research
{{Irbid Governorate}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Populated places in Irbid Governorate