Madaba Governorate محافظة مادبا | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The city ofMadaba is the capital of Madaba Governorate. | |
 Madaba Governorate | |
| Country | Jordan |
| Capital | Madaba |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Mustafa Al-Maaiyah |
| Area | |
• Total | 940 km2 (360 sq mi) |
| Population (2012) | |
• Total | 159,700 |
| • Density | 170/km2 (440/sq mi) |
| Time zone | GMT +2 |
| • Summer (DST) | +3 |
| Area code | +(962)5 |
| Urban | 71.4% |
| Rural | 28.6% |
| HDI (2021) | 0.704[1] high ·10th of 12 |
Madaba (Arabic مادبا) is one of thegovernorates ofJordan. It is located southwest ofAmman, the capital of Jordan, and its capital isMadaba. The governorate is ranked 8th (of 12 governorates) by population and area. It is bordered byBalqa Governorate to the north,The Capital Governorate to the east,Karak Governorate to the south and theDead Sea to the west.
The region has been occupied over the centuries byMoabites,Nabateans,Romans, and Arab Muslim empires.
Madaba is known for itsByzantine andUmayyadmosaics, especially theMadaba Map, a large Byzantine-era mosaic map ofPalestine and theNile delta.
In the Bible,Mount Nebo is the site whereMoses viewed theLand of Israel. Just west of Madaba city, Mount Nebo formed part of the Madaba Diocese in Byzantine times. The mosaics discovered in the village of Nebo, in the 'Uyun Musa valley and Ayn al-Kanisah carry inscriptions which date them to the times of the Bishops of Madaba from the late fifth century to the middle of the eighth century.
Um er-Rasas (Kastron Mefaa) lying on the southeastern steppes, also formed part of the diocese, close toWadi Mujib (Arnon river), a natural boundary of the Province. The mosaics of the Saint Stephen Complex and Church of the Lions (sixth-eighth centuries AD) were found here in addition to an eighth-century mosaic in the village of Ma'in.
Mukawer 15 km south of Madaba city, is where the body of SaintJohn the Baptist supposedly lies after he was beheaded at the request of KingHerod Antipas' niece. The site is located on top of a mountain rising from the shores of theDead Sea and overlooking the Dead Sea and ancient Israel.
TheMadaba Map is the only complete mosaic map of Jerusalem from the Byzantine era.
Many archeological excavations with pre-Biblical and Biblical emphases take part during the summer months in Madaba Governorate; new discoveries are being made each year.
Madaba Governorate is bordered byCapital Governorate from the east andBalqa Governorate from the north, theWest Bank across theJordan River, and theDead Sea from the west, andKarak Governorate from the south.Ma'in is the site of a natural thermalwaterfall. Its therapeutic effects are sought as a cure for aching joints and skin irritations.
The climate range is wide due to differences in altitude. The capital city ofMadaba is 798 meters above sea level, while the Dead Sea is at about 300 meters below sea level, resulting in a double digit difference in temperature between the two locations.
Due to its historic sites and natural attractions, including theMa'in Hot Springs and theDead Sea, tourism is the main source of income. The governorate is the fifth touristic destination followingPetra,Jerash,Aqaba, andAmman.
The northern region of the governorate is agricultural, with a total area of 59 km2 of fruit and olive farms. The governorates production of olives and fruits is eighth on the kingdom (afterBalqa,Irbid,Mafraq,The Capital,Ajloun,Jerash, andZarqa governorates).[2]
Article 12 of the Administrative Divisions law of the Jordanian Ministry of Interior divides Madaba into two departments:
Thepopulation of districts according tocensus results:[3]
| District | Population (Census 1994) | Population (Census 2004) | Population (Census 2015) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madaba Governorate | 107,321 | 129,960 | 189,192 |
| Dhībān | 23,497 | 28,577 | 36,422 |
| Qaṣabah Ma'dabā | 83,824 | 101,383 | 152,770 |
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Places adjacent to Madaba Governorate | ||||||||||||||||
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