Ajloun Governorate

International travelers, historians and great people have given a great deal of attention to Ajloun for being a connection point between the Greater Syria and the coasts of the Mediterranean, and a strategic location in between the land of the Euphrates and the Nile River. The Muslim leader Salah Al-Din Al- Ayouby (Saladin) had acknowledged these facts about Ajloun, so he instructed one of his Generals in 1184 AD (580 Hj), Izz Al-Din Osama, to build a fortress on top of Mount Ouff in Ajloun, which was situated at (1023) m.

To highlight some of the interesting points, Ajloun region was the home of a group of writers, poets, and scholars, to name a few: the lady writer Aisha Al-Ba’uneyeh, and the scholar Ismail Al-Ajlouni. Ajloun was described by the famous traveler Ibn Batutah as a fascinating city; he wrote a description of Ajloun in his writings, where he described its valleys, gardens, shops, constructed markets, Fortress (Castle), and trees.

Ajloun had occupied an important position during the Ottoman reign, where it had been an administrative district covering an area bounded by the Yarmouk River in the north, Zarqa River in the south, Jordan River in the west, and Al-Shallalah Wadi in the east. Later, it had been elevated to become a county within the Greater Syria Province of the Ottoman Empire, which included eastern parts of what is currently politically labeled Jordan. Furthermore, it had become in 1517 AD a greater County (Sunjuq), where Balqa and Karak were part of it. In 1921, His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah became the Prince of Transjordan, where “local governments” period had ended and the “Sunjuq” title had been replaced by county, where it was named after Ajloun. In 1927, the city of Irbid had become the center of Ajloun County, and in the early 60’s of the previous century the County was renamed as Irbid until 1966. Then, the County was elevated to Irbid Governorate, with Irbid as its center and later, Ajloun becoming a county as part of the Governorate.

Geographical Location:

Ajloun Governorate is situated at the northwestern corner, in reference to the Capital Amman, and 76 km far from it. Its boundaries extend to Irbid Governorate to the north and west (Jordan Ghour region), which is 32 km far from, Jerash Governorate to the east, which is 25 km far from, and Balqa Governorate to the south, which is 72 km far from.

Ajloun Governorate consists of two counties, two districts, and five municipalities,

Population:

Governorate’s population is (176080) inhabitants.
Governorate’s area: (419.6 km2).
Population density: (419.6) inhabitants per square kilometer.

Governorate’s Relative Features:

Ajloun Governorate is considered a connection point between Greater Syria and the Mediterranean coast, and a strategic region between the lands of the Euphrates and the land of the Nile.
From a military perspective, Ajloun Castle (Fortress) is overlooking the main natural passes, most importantly: Kufranja Wadi, Rajeb Wadi, and Al-Rayyan Wadi. Its position is considered a strategic one for its capability of controlling the transportation roads between Syria and its southern regions.
The beauty of its natural terrains and climate as it is considered the most fascinating governorate in the Kingdome due to its mountains of different heights, fascinating landscape, and the bushy trees.
The unique mild climate in summer, which is well known to the people of the neighboring countries as well as Jordanians, that makes Ajloun a destination to tourists who seek relaxation and tranquility in the midst of green woodlands in a mild climate.
The biodiversity of its wilderness, as it is the habitat to different animals and birds that settle within Ajloun woodlands, and different floras, mainly trees and wild flowers that cannot be found except in Ajloun Mountains.
Having several historical sites of several civilizations, as there are Byzantine churches, Islamic castles, and tombs of religious prominent people.
As it includes Christian sites, Ajloun Governorate has been declared by the Vatican as a Christian Pilgrimage Destination to Mar Elias Church, and Church of Our Lady of the Mountain. The declaration has been announced during the Papal Pilgrimage of the late Pope John Paul II to Jordan in 2000.