Al Zarqa - Al Zarqa visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Al Zarqa' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Zarqa Governorate.

Zarqa (الزرقاء‎) is the third largest city in Jordan and the capital of the Zarqa Governorate. Although there is evidence of Roman occupation in the area, Al Zarqa is a new city, growing quickly in the 20th century. This was due in part to Chechen immigrants fleeing conflict between the Ottoman and Russian Empires. They settled around the Az-Zarqa railway station next to the Zarqa River on the Hejaz railway, which ran from Damascus to Medina.

Zarqa quickly grew in size, expanding again through transmigration as a result of the Six Day War. Today it is the industrial heartland of Jordan and the site of over 50% of all the factories in Jordan and has several nearby phosphate mines.

Al Zarqa - Alternative Names

Like many places in the Middle East, Al Zarqa is known by a number of variants, including Qal`at ez Zarqa, Zarqa, Zerqa, Az-Zarqa, Kalaat el Zerka, Qal`at az Zarqa', Qal`at ez Zerqa, Zarka, Zarqa, Zarqa' and Zerka.

Al Zarqa - Tourist Attractions

Al Zarqa is not a renowned tourist destination, but can make a good supply stop for those exploring the surrounding area. Among the attractions around Al Zarqa are:

• Qasr Shibib - ruined Arab fortress built on the site of an earlier Roman stronghold above the Zaqra Spring.
• Aman - all the ancient attractions and ruins in Aman, just 30km to the south.

Car: Zarqa is 30km north of Aman on the 25 highway.