Ajloun Governorate

Ajloun Governorate (alternative spelling Ajlun Governorate) (Arabic: محافظة عجلون) is one of the governorates of Jordan, located north of Amman the capital of Jordan. Ajloun Governorate has the fourth highest population density in Jordan (after Irbid, Jerash, and Balqa Governorates) with a population density of 350.1 people/km² (2012 estimate). It is bordered by Jerash Governorate from the south east and Irbid Governorate from the north and west.

Ajloun Governorate محافظة عجلون
Governorate
The city of Ajloun is the capital of Ajloun Governorate
Ajloun Governorate in Jordan
Country	Jordan
Capital	Ajloun
Subdivisions	Ajloun Department, Kofranjah Department
Government
• Governor	Ali Azzam
Area
• Total	420 km2 (160 sq mi)
Population  (2024)
• Total	216,200
• Density	510/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Time zone	GMT +2
• Summer (DST)	+3
Urban	75.9%
Rural	24.1%
HDI (2021)	0.714[1] high · 6th of 12

Administrative divisions

Article 14 of the Administrative Divisions System of the Ministry of Interior divides Ajloun Governorate into two departments.

• Capital Department: includes 50 towns and villages, with its administrative center in Ajloun.
• Kofranjah Department: includes 19 towns and villages, its administrative center is in Kofranjah.

History

During the Crusades, a general of Saladin, Izz Al-Din Osama, built a fortress on Mount Ouff. The region also hosts the famous Ajlun Castle (previously called Qal'at Salah Ad-Dein). The castle was built as a garrison structure to protect Ajloun's strategic location from crusaders.^[2]

Along with Balqa and Karak governorates, Ajloun was formerly a united sanjak of the Ottoman Empire.^[2]

Climate

Ajloun is known for its high elevation, which makes it one of the coolest cities in Jordan, with an average maximum temperature during January of 8.2 degrees Celsius, and a minimum average temperature of 2.8 degrees Celsius. Snow is common during the winter.

Demographics

The population of districts according to census results:^[3]

District	Population (Census 1994)	Population (Census 2004)	Population (Census 2015)	Population (Estimate 2024)[4]
Ajloun Governorate	94,548	118,725	176,080	216,200
Kufranjah	20,809	27,107	38,260	46,980
Qaṣabah 'Ajlūn	73,739	91,618	137,820	169,220

Economy

The governorate depends mainly on agriculture. In 2008, olive, grape and fruit farms constituted a total area of 141.4 km² which is 34% of the area of Ajloun Governorate.^[5]

Education

There are 28 primary and secondary schools in Ajloun, most of them being public institutions.^[6] As well as a community collage, Balqa Applied University- Ajloun College. Additionally, one private university Ajloun National Private University.

Major villages

Notable towns and villages in Ajloun (other than Ajloun itself) include Ebbien, Sakhra, Mrajjam, Rasoun, Rajeb, Ain Janna, Kufranji, Anjara and Al Hashimiyya.

Gallery

• 
  The town of Al Hashimiyya in Ajloun Governorate
• 
  The town of Al Wahadinah
• 
  Forests surround Ajloun
• 
  Nahias of Ajloun
• 
  Olive farms in a village in Ajloun