Zarqa Governorate

About Zarqa Governorate

• Zarqa Governorate (Arabic: محافظة الزرقاء Muħāfazat az-Zarqā, local dialects ez-Zergā or ez-Zer'a) is one of the twelve governorates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It is considered the third largest governorate in Jordan in terms of population after Amman and Irbid.
• Zarqa Governorate is distinguished by its urban expansion and commercial, industrial and agricultural activity, as it includes many important industrial facilities, such as the Al-Hussein Thermal Station and the Jordanian Oil Refinery.

Geographical location

• Kasbah Al-Zarqa Brigade, Rusaifa Brigade, Al-Hashimiyeh Brigade.

Cities, towns, and villages

Climate

Archeological sites

• qasr shabib (Shebib Palace)
• qasr 'Amra (Amra Palace)
• qasr alhalaabat (Hallabat Palace)
• hammam as-Sarah (Hammam Al-Sarh Palace)
• qaleat al'azraq (Azraq castle)
• mahmiat al'azraq (Azraq reserve)
• mahmiat alshuwmari (Al-Shamari Reserve)
• rajm alshuwk (Stoning thorns)
• alqasr al'ahmar (Red Palace)
• kharbat altty (Khirbet Al Tay)

Jordanian cuisine

• Mansaf (المنسف): Mansaf is considered the national dish in Jordan. It is known in all regions without exception. It is served on occasions such as wedding banquets, holidays, and at funeral tables as well.
• Makmoura: It is a well-known dish in the villages of northern Jordan.
• Kibbeh or kebab: It is one of the dishes that is prepared in all regions, as its spread extended from the villages north of Irbid, such as the villages of Bani Kenana.
• Al-Mutabbaq (Mutabbaq): It is known as one of the good dishes in the villages of Al-Taybeh and Al-Wasatiya Districts, and it is smaller than Al-Makmoura.
• Maqluba/Magluba (مقلوبة): A casserole made of layers of rice, vegetables and meat. After cooking, the pot is flipped upside-down onto the plate when served, hence the name maqluba which translates literally as "upside-down".
  
• Musakhan (مسخّن): Dish composed of roasted chicken baked with onions, sumac, allspice, saffron, and fried pine nuts served over taboon bread. It is also known as muhammar (Arabic: محمر).
  
• Maftul (مفتول): Large couscous-like balls, garbanzo beans and chicken pieces cooked in chicken broth.
  
• aldafin Freekeh (فريكة)
• Al-Jajil (Kaakil or Shaashil), all Jordanian governorates share the same popular dishes, due to the similarity between the regions and are considered one of the popular dishes.
• Shishbarak (ششبرك): Also known as Joshpara. A sort of dumpling or jiaozi dish. After being stuffed with ground beef and spices, thin wheat dough parcels are cooked with jameed then served hot. Another name for this dish is shishbarak.
• Galayet bandora (قلاية بندورة): Tomatoes sauteed and stewed with onions, olive oil, salt, and hot peppers, it can be served with rice but is more commonly eaten with bread in Jordan,It is indispensable for all classes of people in all governorates.
• Falafel (فلافل): Balls of fried chickpea flour and Middle Eastern spice. Dipped in every mezze, especially hummus. The Jordanian falafel balls tend to come in smaller sizes.
• Hummus, Ful medames (حمص وفول مدمس): These are foods usually served for breakfast, especially on Fridays. They are also served as appetizers for lunch and dinner.

Sweets

• Baklava (بقلاوة)—a dessert made with thin layers of phyllo pastry filled with chopped nuts and soaked in honey or syrup.
• Knafeh (كُنافة)—a cheese pastry of shredded phyllo soaked in sugar-based syrup.
• Qatayef (قطايف)—a sweet dumpling stuffed with cream and pistachios. Consumed during Ramadan.
• Warbat (وربات)—a pastry of thin layers of phyllo pastry filled with custard. Often eaten during the month of Ramadan.

Area and population

• Population of Irbid Governorate: (1,616,000)
  
• Governorate area:- (4,761 km²) (1,838 mi²)