Irbid

Irbid (Arabic: إربد), known in ancient times as Arabella, is Jordan's second largest city, located about 70 km north of Amman on the northern ridge of the Gilead. According to the 1992 census, the population of Irbid is 208,329, although this number may actually be closer to 327,543 in 2007.[1]

Equidistant from Pella and Umm Qais, Irbid is the seat of the Irbid Governorate. The city has a bustling community and is a major ground transportation hub between Amman, Syria to the north, and Mafraq to the east.

The Irbid region is also home to several colleges and universities, of which the two most prominent are Jordan University of Science and Technology and Yarmouk University.

History

Artifacts and graves in the area show that Irbid has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. Before the advent of Islam, the city was known as Arabella and was famous for producing some of the best wines in the ancient world. The area in the region had extremely fertile soil, with the moderate climate allowing the growing of high quality grapes.

In the Hellenistic period, it was a major trade center and the birthplace of Nittai of Arbela.

After the introduction of Islam, the city became known as Irbid, and moved from wine to olive oil production. Wheat was also an important product in the area.

The city of Irbid is notable for being close to the site of the Battle of Yarmouk, a decisive battle across the banks of the Yarmouk River, roughly 30 kilometres north of the city. The battle was waged between the Arabs and the Roman Empire. It set the stage for the departure of Roman armies from Greater Syria and the beginning of the expansion of the Muslim rule.

Irbid is the home of the Hussein football club. غزاة الشمال.

Modern Irbid

Irbid Mall in Western Irbid

Irbid today combines the bustle of a provincial Middle Eastern town and the youthful nightlife of a typical college town, while being less affected by the urbanization and growth that have impacted larger cities such as Amman.

Though traditionally not a major tourist destination itself, Irbid is home to two notable museums: the Museum of Jordanian Heritage and the Jordan Natural History Museum, both on the campus of Yarmouk University. University Street, which defines the western border of the Yarmouk University campus, is popular with locals as well as with the occasional foreign visitor who stops to relax in any of its numerous restaurants and cafés. University Street is also well-known because it is less than 1 km long but has more than 130 Internet cafés, making it number one in the world in Internet cafés by density. Furthermore, Irbid's strategic location in northern Jordan makes it a convenient starting point for tourists interested in seeing the northern Jordan Valley; visiting Umm Qais, Pella, Ajloun, Umm Al-Jimal, and other historical sites; or traveling on to Syria.

Irbid hosted the 1999 Pan Arab Games.

External links

• Greater Irbid Municipality
• Irbid Guide
• Irbid News
• Jordan University of Science and Technology
• Yarmouk University
• Irbid University

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