Ar Ramtha

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Ar Ramtha, also known as Al-Ramtha (Arabic: الرمثا‎) is a city situated in the far northwest of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It covers 458 km, and has a population of over 80,000 people.

1 Name
2 History
3 Economy
4 Culture
5 Sport
6 Demographics
7 Education

[edit] Name

Ar Ramtha is named after a local desert plant, Al Ramath (Arabic: الرمثا‎). During its occupation by the Roman Empire, the city was known as Ramana. City residents are known as "Ramathneh", the singlular being "Remthawe".

[edit] History

Ar Ramtha has a strategic location near the border with Syria and Israel. The Roman Empire utilized Ar Ramtha as a remote hub to cross-link their colonies. The ruins of buildings and ancient Roman antiquities have been discovered at different parts of Ar Ramtha. During the Islamic expansion, Ar Ramtha, which was in the Houran territory, was a port for Muslim scientists crossing between Syria and Al-Hijaz. Historically and sociologically, the city of is part of Darha city in Syria, which is located on just the other side of the border.

In 1970 Syria invaded Jordan and heads of the city declared Ar Ramtha independent as the State of Ramtha. The state existed for less than 24 hours before returning to Jordanian control.

[edit] Economy

Ar Ramtha's economy relies on the commerce and import/export trading. The Al Hassan industrial estate houses several outsourcing companies supported by foreign shareholders with most of the products sold to American and European markets.

[edit] Culture

The city is famous for the inherited ritual-poetries recited in wedding ceremonies and public affairs.^{[citation needed]} One of their famous dances are called the dabkeh which people from Ar Ramtha are very good in.

[edit] Sport

The city is home to Al Ramtha, who play in the Jordan League, the country's top division.

[edit] Demographics

People from Ar Ramtha are believed to be Syrian, Yemeni, Saudi and Romanian in origins. Traditionally, the population consisted of two main tribes: Az Zubi and Flahein. However, after 1948, many Palestinian families moved into the city, and in recent years other families have moved into Ramtha from places inside Jordan

The population of Ar Ramtha is entirely Muslim. Whilst there are a few Shi'ite Muslims in Al-Turrah, all other residents are Sunni Muslims.

[edit] Education

The Jordan University of Science and Technology

The city is home to the Jordan University of Science and Technology, which includes a large private hospital that provides medical treatment in the region, and offers chances to Medical students in the university to intern and learn during their study years.

The city has several high schools, including