Madaba Governorate

Madaba Governorate (محافظة مادبا)
Madaba Governorate
Country	Jordan
Cities	Husban, Dhiban
Capital	Madaba
Area	2,008 km2 (775 sq mi)
Population	135,890 (2005)
Density	67.7 / km2 (175 / sq mi)
Timezone	GMT +2
- summer (DST)	+3
Area code	+(962)5

The city of Madaba is the capital of Madaba Governorate

Madaba, (Arabic مادبا) is one of the governorates of Jordan, it is located south west of Amman, capital of Jordan. Its capital is Madaba. The governorate is ranked eighth (from 12 governorates) by population and by area in Jordan. It is bordered by Balqa Governorate from the north, The Capital Governorate from the east, and Kerak Governorate from the south, and the Dead Sea from the west.

History

The brass serpent sculpture on Mount Nebo

The Dead Sea from the Kempinski Hotel in Madaba Governorate

Madaba Governorate hosts the World Economic Forum held on its Dead Sea coasts

Many civilizations existed on the soils of Madaba, most prominent are the Moabites , Nabateans, Romans, and the Arab Muslim empires.

The city of Madaba is best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, especially the Madaba Map, a large Byzantine-era mosaic map of Palestine and the Nile delta.

Mount Nebo, according to the Bible, is the site where Moses viewed the Promised Land. Mount Nebo, just west of Madaba town, formed part of the Madaba Diocese during Byzantine times. Here the mosaics discovered at the Moses Memorial together with those in the churches in the village of Nebo, in the 'Uyun Musa valley and at '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 AD. Um er-Rasas (Kastron Mefaa), on the southeastern steppes, also formed part of the diocese, laying as it is close to the Wadi Mujib-Arnon, a natural boundary of the Province. Here were brought to light the splendid mosaics of the Saint Stephen Complex together with the Church of the Lions (sixth-eighth centuries AD), which complement the eighth-century mosaic discovered in the village of Ma'in.

Ma'in is a village in Madaba that is the site of a beautiful natural thermal waterfall. Its therapeutic effects are utilized by those with aching joints and skin irritations. a new tourist industry is growing around the site with the building of a new hotel and spa.

Mukawer, 15 km south of Madaba city, is where the Body of Saint John the Baptist supposedly lies after he was beheaded at the request of King Herod Antipas' niece. The site is located on top of a big mountain rising from the shores of the Dead Sea and overlooking most of the Dead Sea and ancient Palestine.

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.

Economy

The Dead Sea beach in Madaba Governorate

Due to its richness of historic sites, and natural sites such as the Ma'een hot watersprings and the Dead Sea, Madaba Governorate depends mainly on tourism as a main source of income. The governorate is the fifth touristic destination following Petra, Jerash, Aqaba, and Amman.

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 (after Balqa, Irbid, Mafraq, The Capital, Ajloun, Jerash, and Zarqa governorates).^[1]

Administrative Departments

An old neighborhood in Madaba

Nahias of Madaba

Article 12 of the Administrative Divisions law of the Jordanian Ministry of Interior divides Madaba into two departments:

• Capital Department: with its administrative center in the city of Madaba, this department also includes 26 other towns and villages.
• Dhiban Department: Includes 44 towns and villages, with its administrative center in Dhiban

References

1. ^ Ministry of Agriculture- Jordan (Arabic site)

Coordinates: 31°36′45.50″N 35°41′36″E / 31.612639°N 35.69333°E / 31.612639; 35.69333