Jerash Governorate

Jerash Governorate (محافظة جرش)
Jarash Governorate
Governorate
Landscape of Jerash Governorate in winter (Sakib area)
Country	Jordan
Cities	Sakib, Kufr Khall, Souf
Capital	Jerash
Area	410 km2 (158 sq mi)
Population	237,000 (2015)
Density	578/km2 (1,497/sq mi)
Timezone	GMT +2
- summer (DST)	+3
Area code	+(962)2
Urban	62.6%
Rural	37.4%
Location of Jerash Governorate in Jordan

Jerash (Arabic: جرش‎‎) is one of the governorates of Jordan; it is located north of Amman, Jordan's capital. It carries the name of its capital and largest city, Jerash City.

Jerash Governorate has the smallest area of the 12 governorates of Jordan, yet it has the second highest density in Jordan after Irbid Governorate. Jerash Governorate is ranked 7th by population.

In the first century of the Christian era this insignificant city (then Gerasa) experienced a fast ascent under Roman rule and the Pax Romana. It became part of the Decapolis and grew increasingly competitive with the older Petra as a commercial town. The inhabitants extracted iron ore from the nearby Ajlun mountains. Starting in the middle of the 1st century, this upswing led to active building and a rich abundance of architectural monuments, still impressive today. In the 2nd century, the Roman expansion wars in Asia led to further gains. Well-made roads were built to Pella, Philadelphia (now Amman), Dion and to the provincial capital Bos(t)ra. Emperor Hadrian visited the city in the winter of 129-130. In the following centuries the political situation in this region changed fundamentally and the city's means declined. During this time also Christianity was on the ascendant and many churches were built. Gerasa had its own bishop—still today it is a Titularbistum—and bishop Placcus (or Plancus) participated in the Council of Chalcedon.

The mathematician Nicomachus of Gerasa came from this city.

The Jerash Governorate was formed in 1994 from a portion of Irbid Governorate.

Jerash is a hilly region with fertile lands, the province is bordered by Irbid Governorate to the north, Ajlun Governorate to the west, Mafraq Governorate and Zarqa Governorate to the east, and Balqa Governorate from the south. The average yearly rainfall in Jerash governorate is in the range of 400–500 mm considered among the highest in the country. The elevation range of the province is 300 to 1300 m above sea level with fresh water streams and the Zarqa River flowing through it, surrounderd by fertile plains, hills and mountains with a mild mediterranean climate.