History: Zarqa was originally established as a city in the 1st century AD, but the new town dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. Chechens who were displaced from the Caucasus by wars between the Ottomans and the Russians settled along the Zarqa River. A new station on the Hijaz railway line was built then in the new settlement. The new town also became an important station on the Hijaz-Medina railway line. Zarqa became known for its military identity after the British Army established military bases there in 1926. It was also the headquarters for Jordan’s Arab Legion.
Geography: Zarqa is located 15 kilometers northeast of Amman in the Zarqa River Basin. It is the capital of the Zarqa governorate and is divided into 5 districts.
Demography: Zarqa has a total population of over 972,900 which makes it the third largest city in Jordan after Amman and Irbid. 53,200 live in rural communities while 919,700 live in urban areas. Zarqa is considered as the industrial capital of Jordan. The area of the city is measured around 60 square kilometers and it rises about 619 meters above the sea level.
Tourism: Tourism in Zarqa is mostly limited to industry and education. Since Zarqa houses three large universities, many Jordanian and foreign students form a part of Zarqa’s population.
Other Facts: More than 50% of Jordan’s factories are located in Zarqa. Because of the low real estate prices, a large manufacturering industry quickly developed in Zarqa with major productions of garments, leather, chemical, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. Jordan’s sole oil refinery is also located in Zarqa.
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