Ar-Ramtha

Ar-Ramtha (Arabic: الرَّمثا, romanized: ar-Ramṯā), colloquially transliterated as Ar-Romtha (Arabic: الرُّمثا, romanized: ar-Rumṯā), is a city in the far northwest of Jordan, close to the border with Syria. It covers an area of 40 km² on a plain, about 30 km northeast of the Jordan River and the city of Irbid. In 2017, Ar-Ramtha was home to around 164,211 people, making it the eleventh largest city in Jordan and the second largest in the Irbid Governorate. Since then, the city has continued to grow.

The Al-Zoubi (Arabic: الزعبي), also written as Al-Zu'bi or Zoubi, is a large Arab clan with deep roots in the Levant, especially in southern Syria and northern Jordan. Members of this clan can also be found in parts of northern Israel. Historically, the Al-Zoubi clan had important social and religious roles, particularly in the Hauran region, where they were leaders in the Qadiriyya Sufi order. This helped them become well-known in the area.

The name Al-Zoubi is a family name in Arabic, meaning “the family of” or “descendants of” a person named Zoubi. It shows that the clan comes from this ancient ancestor.

Etymology

The name Ar-Ramtha has different ideas about where it comes from. One popular idea says it is named after a desert plant called al-ramath, which used to grow a lot in northern Jordan. People often named places after special plants or land features.

Some historians think Ar-Ramtha might be where an old city called Ramoth-Gilead once stood. During the time of the Roman and Byzantine periods, the city was called Ramatha.

History

The area around Ar-Ramtha has been home to humans for a very long time. Its good weather and easy living conditions made it a great place for early people to settle. Artifacts and graves show that people lived there as far back as the Bronze Age, though we do not know exactly when they first chose this land.

Later, Ar-Ramtha may have been the site of an important city called Ramoth-Gilead. This city was mentioned in old writings and was the place of battles between rulers from Israel and Aram Damascus.

During the time of the Roman Empire, Ar-Ramtha was used as a place to travel between colonies. Ruins and old items from that time have been found in different parts of the city. When Islam spread, Ar-Ramtha became a place for scholars to pass through between Syria and Hejaz.

In more recent times, Ar-Ramtha grew from around 10,000 people in 1961 to over 260,000 people by 2021. Because of its location near the border with Syria, the city has helped many people who had to leave their homes during the Syrian Civil War.

Geography

Ar-Ramtha is located in the far northwest of Jordan, close to the border with Syria. To the north west of the city lies a major source of shale oil in Jordan. If used for producing oil, this resource could bring great economic benefits to the country.

Climate

Ar-Ramtha has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot with temperatures between 27 °C and 33 °C, but nights are cooler. Spring and fall are mild, with temperatures from 17 °C to 23 °C. In winter, nights can be below 0 °C, and it snows once or twice each year. The climate is much like that of nearby Irbid.

Economy

Ar-Ramtha's economy is based on commerce and trading goods between countries. The Al Hassan industrial estate has many companies that make products for markets in America and Europe.

Before 2011, Ar-Ramtha traded many goods with Syria. However, after war began in Syria, this trade stopped. This change led to more unemployment and poverty in the area.

Culture

Ar-Ramtha is well-known for its special poems that are shared during weddings and important events. One popular dance from the area is called Dabke, which is a traditional Arab folk dance. The city has many talented artists, including Hussein Al-Salman, Lil ZeeJo (Husam El-Zubi), Malik Allaham, Najem Al-Salman, Suliman Athamneh, Hala Athamneh, Mitaab Al-Saggar, and Issa Al-Saggar.

Sport

Ar-Ramtha has two football clubs. The first is called Al-Ramtha SC, and it plays in the top league of Jordan. The second is called Ittihad Al-Ramtha, and it plays in the first division of Jordanian football. Both clubs help bring the community together through sports.

Education

Ar-Ramtha has the Jordan University of Science and Technology, a big school for learning. It also has a large hospital called KAUH. This hospital helps people get medical care and gives students a place to practice and learn while they study medicine.