Country | Jordan |
Population | 4061150 |
Area | 1,680 km2 (650 sq mi) |
Time Zone | UTC+3 |
Coordinates | 31.95522, 35.94503 |
Highest elevation | 1,100 m (3,600 ft) |
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City Description
Amman, the vibrant capital and largest city of Jordan, stands as the country’s economic, political, and cultural epicenter. With a population of 4,061,150 as of 2021, it is the largest city in the Levant region, the fifth-largest in the Arab world, and the tenth-largest metropolitan area in the Middle East.
The history of Amman dates back to the 8th millennium BC, with evidence of early settlement found at the Neolithic site of ‘Ain Ghazal, home to the world’s oldest human statues. Initially known as Rabat Aman during the second millennium BC, it served as the capital of the Ammonite Kingdom, centered around the Amman Citadel. Renamed Philadelphia in the 3rd century BC, the city became a hub of Hellenistic culture and later one of the ten Greco-Roman cities of the Decapolis under Roman rule. The Rashidun Caliphate conquered the city from the Byzantines in the 7th century AD, renaming it Amman.
Throughout most of the Islamic era, Amman experienced periods of abandonment and prosperity, primarily serving as the center of the Balqa region. The city was largely deserted from the 15th century until 1878 when Ottoman authorities began settling Circassians there. The inauguration of the Hejaz railway station in 1904 connected Amman to other cities, spurring growth that led to the establishment of its first municipal council in 1909.
Amman experienced rapid expansion after being designated as Transjordan’s capital in 1921. The city saw an influx of migrants from various Jordanian and Levantine cities and several successive waves of refugees: Palestinians in 1948 and 1967, Iraqis in 1990 and 2003, and Syrians since 2011. Initially built on seven hills, Amman now spans over 19 hills, comprising 22 areas administered by the Greater Amman Municipality. Neighborhoods in Amman are often named after the hills (jabal) or valleys (wadi) they occupy, such as Jabal al-Luweibdeh and Wadi Abdoun.
East Amman is rich in historic sites and cultural activities, while West Amman is modern and serves as the economic center of the city. In 2018, approximately one million visitors arrived in Amman, making it the 89th most-visited city globally and the 12th most-visited Arab city. With a relatively fast-growing economy, Amman is ranked as a Beta− global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. It was also named one of the best cities in the Middle East and North Africa based on economic, labor, environmental, and socio-cultural factors.
Amman is a popular location for multinational corporations to set up regional offices, rivaling Doha and second only to Dubai. The city is served by various public transportation systems, including the Amman Bus, Amman Bus Rapid Transit, and Amman-Zarqa Bus Rapid Transit. This modern yet historically rich city continues to grow and thrive, bridging its ancient past with a dynamic present.
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