Madaba Governorate

Madaba Governorate (محافظة مادبا)
Governorate
Madaba Governorate
Country	Jordan
Cities	Husban, Dhiban
Capital	Madaba
- elevation	798 m (2,618 ft)
- coordinates	31°43′0″N 35°48′0″E / 31.71667°N 35.80000°E / 31.71667; 35.80000Coordinates: 31°43′0″N 35°48′0″E / 31.71667°N 35.80000°E / 31.71667; 35.80000
Area	940 km2 (363 sq mi)
Population	159,700 (2012)
Density	170.0/km2 (440/sq mi)
Timezone	GMT +2
- summer (DST)	+3
Area code	+(962)5
Urban	71.4%
Rural	28.6%

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 Karak Governorate from the south, and the Dead Sea from the west.

Many civilizations existed on the soils of Madaba, most prominent are the Moabites, Israelites/Jews, 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.

Many sites in Madaba Governorate are considered biblical sites, some of which are:

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.

The Dead Sea coast of Madaba Governorate hosts the World Economic Forum every year.

Madaba Governorate is bordered by Capital Governorate from the east and Balqa Governorate from the north, the West Bank across the Jordan River, and the Dead Sea from the west, and Karak Governorate from the south. Ma'in is a village in Madaba that is the site of a 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.

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Wikipedia