Balqa

What whispers echo across the hills of Balqa? This land, northwest of Amman, holds tales as old as time. Balqa isn’t just a place on a map. It’s a canvas painted with the hues of empires and the whispers of ancient tribes. Balqa is mentioned as early as the 7th century. Heraclius’ brother Theodore campaigned against the Arabs in the area. Balqa’s southern reaches once bore the name Plains of Moab. Imagine the clash of swords during World War I as General Allenby’s forces marched into Salt in 1918. This victory marked the end of 500 years under Ottoman rule. Balqa was also the stage for another major conflict. In 1968, the Battle of Karameh raged near Shouna al-Janubiyya. Israeli forces clashed with Jordanian and Palestinian troops. This battle is remembered as a pivotal moment in the War of Attrition. Beyond battles, Balqa pulsates with life. Salt, its capital, hums with the energy of a modern city. Yet, the echoes of history are never far away. Other towns and cities within Balqa contribute their own unique stories to this rich tapestry. Mahis, Fuhais, and Ain Al-Basha. Each one a thread in the vibrant fabric of Balqa. The landscape itself speaks volumes. From fertile mountains ideal for agriculture to the industrial heart of Fuhais, home to a cement factory run by Lafarge. Balqa blends the old with the new. This is also evident in the presence of two universities. Balqa Applied University and Al-Ahliyya Amman University stand as beacons of knowledge and progress. Balqa even houses SESAME. This groundbreaking research facility, the first of its kind in the Middle East, cements Balqa’s place on the map of scientific innovation. Balqa. A name that whispers of history, echoes with conflict, and sings with the promise of a vibrant future.