Irbid
Government
Irbid (Arabic إربد, DMG Irbid ), called in ancient Arabella, with a population of about 350,000 ( census 2004) is the third largest city in Jordan after Amman and Zarqa.
Irbid is located about 85 km north of Amman Governorate Irbid. Of the places Pella and Umm Qais, it is about the same distance (about 20 km). Archaeological finds and grave sites in the region show that Irbid has been inhabited since the Bronze Age.
University city
Today Irbid has grown into a bustling metropolis with several major universities and colleges, but has retained the charm of a Middle Eastern country town in many streets of downtown. The largest universities are the Yarmouk University and Jordan University of Science and Technology ( JUST). 70,000 students enliven the city and its demand ensures that sprouting of Internet cafes and fast food restaurants in the uni- quarters.
Tourism
Although tourism is not very significant, Irbid is home to interesting museums. In Yarmouk University there is the Museum of Jordanian Heritage with a very carefully designed survey of the prehistoric and historical development of the country. The new Archaeological Museum was opened in a renovated Ottoman house in the city center (near Police Station, Tell Irbid ) 2007.
Irbid has numerous hotels of different categories and provides a good starting point for touring the northern Jordan Valley or to Umm Qais ( Gadara ), Gerasa, Kufr Dscha'yiz, Huwarra, Abila, Pella, Ajlun ( Qala'at he - Rabad ), Umm al - Dschimal and Syria.