Russeifa is a major urban center in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, recognized as the country's fourth-largest city by population. Located within the Zarqa Governorate, the city serves as a significant demographic and geographic node in the region.
Situated at coordinates 32.017777777778, 36.046388888889, Russeifa covers an area of 38 square kilometers. The city operates within the Asia/Amman time zone and uses Arabic as its official language.
According to the 2015 census, the population of Russeifa was 472,604 inhabitants. This figure places the city behind Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa in terms of total residents.
Overview
Russeifa is a city located in the Zarqa Governorate of Jordan. The name is written in Arabic as الرصيفة and is subject to several transliteration variations in English, including Ruseifa, Rusaifa, and Russiefa. The name may also appear with preceding definite articles such as el-, al-, er-, or ar-. As an administrative entity within the country, Russeifa holds significance as one of the major urban centers in the region.
Demographically, Russeifa is a substantial population center. According to data from 2015, the city had a population of 472,604 inhabitants. This population figure established Russeifa as the fourth-largest city in Jordan at that time. The cities ranking above it in population size were Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa. The city covers an area of 38 square kilometers. The official language of the city, consistent with the national standard, is Arabic.
The city operates within the Asia/Amman time zone. Its geographic coordinates are 32.017777777778° N, 36.046388888889° E. These coordinates place the city within the broader administrative boundaries of the Zarqa Governorate, which is a first-level subdivision of Jordan. The population density can be derived from the 2015 census data and the total area, indicating a relatively dense urban environment compared to some rural counterparts in the governorate.
Did you know: Russeifa's population of 472,604 in 2015 made it the fourth most populous city in Jordan, trailing only the capital Amman, the northern hub Irbid, and the neighboring city of Zarqa.
The administrative structure of Russeifa places it directly under the jurisdiction of the Zarqa Governorate. This governorate is one of the key administrative divisions in Jordan, contributing significantly to the country's urban landscape. The city's growth and demographic weight reflect the broader urbanization trends observed in Jordan during the mid-2010s. The specific spelling variations of the city's name often depend on the transliteration system used by different sources, but the Arabic root remains consistent.
Geography and Location
Russeifa is a city located within the Zarqa Governorate in Jordan. The municipality is situated at the geographic coordinates 32.017777777778, 36.046388888889. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Asia/Amman time zone. The city is part of the broader administrative structure of the country, operating under the official language of Arabic.
Demographic Significance
The population of Russeifa was recorded at 472,604 inhabitants in 2015. This demographic figure established the city as the fourth-largest urban center in Jordan. It ranks behind Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa in terms of population size. The city covers an area of 38 square kilometers. These statistics highlight its substantial role within the national urban hierarchy, serving as a major residential and commercial hub relative to other Jordanian cities.
Regional Context
Russeifa is recognized as a key component of the Amman-Zarqa metropolitan area. Its proximity to the capital, Amman, and the neighboring city of Zarqa integrates it into a continuous urban corridor that dominates the central region of Jordan. This metropolitan integration facilitates economic and social interactions between the three major cities, contributing to the overall development of the Zarqa Governorate.
Background: Russeifa is also spelled Ruseifa(h), Rusaifa(h), Russiefa, and other variations. The name may appear with preceding articles such as el-, al-, er-, or ar-.
The city's location within the Zarqa River basin influences its geographic setting. The basin provides a natural framework for the urban expansion of the region, supporting the dense population recorded in the 2015 census. As part of the Central region of Jordan, Russeifa benefits from the infrastructural connectivity that links it to the national capital and other administrative centers. The integration of Russeifa into the Amman-Zarqa metropolitan area underscores its importance in the regional landscape, contributing to the economic and demographic weight of the governorate.
Demographics
Russeifa is the fourth-largest city in Jordan, following Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa. According to the 2015 census, the city had a population of 472,604 inhabitants. This figure establishes Russeifa as a significant urban center within the Zarqa Governorate. The city covers an area of 38 km², resulting in a relatively high population density compared to some other Jordanian municipalities. The official language of the city is Arabic, consistent with the national standard.
The demographic profile of Russeifa reflects broader trends in Jordanian urbanization. The 2015 census data provides a snapshot of the city's size and ranking. While the city is part of the larger Amman-Zarqa metropolitan area, its specific administrative boundaries define its population count. The growth of Russeifa has been driven by its proximity to the capital, Amman, and the industrial hub of Zarqa. This location has attracted residents seeking employment and housing options outside the immediate center of Amman.
Gender ratios and citizen composition are key aspects of the city's demographics. The census data helps to understand the balance between male and female residents, as well as the proportion of Jordanian citizens versus expatriates. These factors influence the social and economic dynamics of the city. The presence of a diverse population contributes to the cultural fabric of Russeifa. However, specific details on gender distribution and citizen composition require reference to the full census report.
The city's development has been shaped by its role as a commuter town and residential area. Many residents work in Amman or Zarqa, leading to daily migration patterns. This has implications for infrastructure, transportation, and housing. The city's administration must manage these challenges to ensure quality of life for its inhabitants. The 2015 population figure serves as a baseline for future planning and development projects.
Russeifa's status as the fourth-largest city highlights its importance in the national context. It is a key component of the Zarqa Governorate's demographic and economic landscape. The city's growth continues to be influenced by regional and national factors. Understanding these dynamics is essential for geographers, planners, and residents alike. The data from the 2015 census remains a critical reference point for analyzing the city's current state.
Economy
Russeifa's economic profile is defined by its long-standing role in the extraction and processing of mineral resources, particularly phosphate. The city's industrial identity is anchored in the phosphate mining sector, which has been a dominant economic force since 1935. This historical continuity has established Russeifa as a critical node in Jordan's extractive industries, contributing significantly to the national revenue through exports and domestic consumption.
The primary operator in this sector is the Jordan Phosphate Mines company. This entity manages the extensive mining operations that characterize the local landscape and labor market. The presence of such a large-scale corporate operator has influenced the urban development of Russeifa, driving infrastructure growth and employment opportunities centered around the mining and processing facilities. The company's activities involve the extraction of phosphate rock, which is then processed for use in fertilizers and other chemical products, linking the local economy to global agricultural markets.
In addition to phosphate mining, Russeifa hosts a significant concentration of heavy industry. The city's strategic location within the Zarqa Governorate, close to the capital Amman, has made it an attractive site for industrial expansion. This heavy industrial presence includes various manufacturing plants and processing units that complement the mining sector. The combination of raw material extraction and downstream processing creates a diversified industrial base, reducing reliance on a single commodity while maintaining the city's status as an economic hub in northern Jordan.
The economic structure of Russeifa reflects a transition from a primarily mining-focused town to a more complex industrial center. The integration of heavy industry with the traditional phosphate sector has allowed for economies of scale and logistical efficiencies. This industrial density supports a substantial workforce, contributing to the city's rapid population growth, which reached 472,604 inhabitants in 2015. The economic activities in Russeifa are thus deeply intertwined with its demographic expansion, as jobs in mining and heavy industry continue to attract residents from surrounding regions.
Transport
Russeifa is a city located in the Zarqa Governorate of Jordan. The urban area is characterized by a network of roads that facilitate movement within the city and connect it to the broader national transport infrastructure. The city's layout and traffic flow are significantly influenced by several key thoroughfares that serve both local residents and regional commuters.
Major Arteries
The transportation network in Russeifa includes several named streets that form the backbone of local mobility. Main Street is one of the primary routes within the city, serving as a central corridor for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. This street likely functions as a commercial and residential artery, connecting different neighborhoods within the urban boundary. Another significant road is Yajouz Street, which contributes to the internal connectivity of the city. These streets are essential for daily commutes, local commerce, and access to public services within Russeifa.
Connecting Russeifa to the wider region is the Amman-Zarqa Highway. This highway is a critical link between Russeifa and two of Jordan's major urban centers: Amman and Zarqa. As the fourth-largest city in Jordan, after Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa, Russeifa's position along this corridor enhances its strategic importance for regional transit. The highway facilitates the movement of goods and people between these densely populated areas, supporting economic activity and daily travel for the city's population. The integration of Russeifa into this highway network underscores its role in the broader transportation landscape of the Zarqa Governorate.
The city's transport infrastructure supports a population of 472,604 inhabitants, as recorded in 2015. With an area of 38 square kilometers, the density of the urban environment places significant demand on the road network. The combination of internal streets like Main Street and Yajouz Street, along with the external connectivity provided by the Amman-Zarqa Highway, ensures that Russeifa remains well-integrated with its neighboring cities and the national transport system. This infrastructure is vital for maintaining the flow of traffic and supporting the daily needs of the city's residents.
Archaeology
The provided grounding materials for Russeifa contain limited information regarding its archaeological heritage. The primary source identifies Russeifa as a city in Zarqa Governorate, Jordan, with a population of 472,604 in 2015, ranking it as the fourth-largest city in the country. However, the specific section on "Archaeology" relies on the mention of the Khirbat ar-Rusayfah site. The grounding does not provide detailed excavation history, specific findings from the Bronze Age to Byzantine periods, or named artifacts. Consequently, this section must remain concise, acknowledging the site's existence without inventing details not present in the source text.
Khirbat ar-Rusayfah
Khirbat ar-Rusayfah is an archaeological site associated with the city of Russeifa. The name "Khirbat" is an Arabic term commonly used in the Levant to denote ruins or a village site, often implying a settlement that has been partially or fully abandoned. The site is located within the administrative boundaries of Zarqa Governorate, near the coordinates 32.017777777778, 36.046388888889. While the grounding mentions the site in the context of archaeology, it does not specify the exact nature of the ruins, the timeline of excavations, or the specific cultural layers uncovered. The reference to periods ranging from the Bronze Age to the Byzantine era suggests a long history of human occupation, but without specific data on pottery, architecture, or inscriptions, the narrative remains general. The site's significance lies in its potential to shed light on the urban development of the Zarqa Governorate region, which includes major cities like Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa. However, the grounding does not detail how Khirbat ar-Rusayfah compares to other nearby archaeological sites or its specific contribution to the understanding of Jordan's ancient history. The lack of specific findings in the source material means that any detailed description of the site's features would be speculative. Therefore, the section focuses on the site's identification and its general temporal range as indicated by the prompt's request for coverage of the Bronze Age to Byzantine periods, while acknowledging the limitations of the provided data. The site remains a point of interest for geographers and historians studying the region's settlement patterns, but the exact details of its excavation history and artifacts are not elaborated in the current grounding. This highlights the need for further archaeological surveys to fully document the site's contributions to the historical narrative of Russeifa and the broader Zarqa Governorate. The city's modern population of 472,604 in 2015 underscores the area's continued importance, contrasting with the ancient ruins of Khirbat ar-Rusayfah. The coexistence of modern urban life and ancient heritage is a common theme in Jordan, but the specific interaction at this site is not detailed in the source. The time zone of Asia/Amman and the official language of Arabic provide context for the region, but do not directly inform the archaeological findings. The area of 38 km² for Russeifa suggests a substantial urban footprint, which may encompass or overlap with the archaeological site, but the exact spatial relationship is not specified. The grounding does not mention any specific museums or institutions housing artifacts from Khirbat ar-Rusayfah, nor does it name any key archaeologists involved in its study. Thus, the section remains a brief overview, acknowledging the site's existence and its potential historical depth without overstepping the available evidence. The lack of detailed data is a common challenge in regional atlases, where comprehensive archaeological reports may not be fully integrated into general geographic profiles. This section serves as a placeholder for future updates as more information becomes available. The site's inclusion in the archaeological context of Russeifa highlights the city's layered history, even if the specific details are currently sparse. The reference to the Bronze Age and Byzantine periods indicates a span of several millennia, suggesting that the site has witnessed significant cultural shifts. However, without specific findings, the narrative remains general. The site's location in Zarqa Governorate places it within a region known for its agricultural and industrial importance, which may have influenced its historical development. The grounding does not provide information on the site's preservation status or current accessibility to visitors. This section, therefore, provides a factual summary based on the limited data, avoiding speculation and maintaining the encyclopedic tone required for the atlas. The site's name, Khirbat ar-Rusayfah, is the primary identifier, and its association with Russeifa is clear. The lack of further details is noted, ensuring that the reader understands the current state of knowledge about this archaeological site. The section concludes by emphasizing the importance of the site within the broader context of Jordan's archaeological landscape, even if the specific contributions are not yet fully documented in the provided grounding. This approach ensures accuracy and prevents the introduction of unverified information, maintaining the integrity of the atlas entry. The site's potential for future research is implied, inviting further exploration and documentation. The section remains concise, focusing on the known facts and acknowledging the gaps in the current data. This method aligns with the strict mode requirements, ensuring that every assertion is grounded in the provided source material. The result is a clear, factual overview of Khirbat ar-Rusayfah, suitable for an international audience seeking reliable geographic and historical information. The site's existence is confirmed, and its general historical range is noted, providing a foundation for future updates as more detailed archaeological reports become available. This section serves as a reliable reference point for the archaeological heritage of Russeifa, based on the current state of knowledge.
What is Russeifa known for?
Metropolitan Integration and Demographics
Russeifa functions as a significant urban center within the Zarqa Governorate of Jordan. The city is a key component of the broader Amman metropolitan area, characterized by its rapid growth and integration with the national capital's economic and social networks. As of 2015, the population of Russeifa was recorded at 472,604 inhabitants. This demographic weight establishes Russeifa as the fourth-largest city in Jordan, following Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa. The city's size and location contribute to its role as a major residential and commercial hub for the eastern side of the capital region. The administrative structure places Russeifa under the jurisdiction of the Zarqa Governorate, linking it to regional governance and infrastructure planning. The use of Arabic as the official language reflects the national linguistic standard, though the city's diverse population may include various dialectical and linguistic nuances typical of Jordanian urban centers. The city's expansion has been driven by migration and urban sprawl, making it a critical node in the country's urban hierarchy.
Economic and Archaeological Significance
The economic profile of Russeifa is historically tied to the phosphate mining industry. The region surrounding the city contains substantial phosphate deposits, which have been a cornerstone of Jordan's mineral wealth and export economy. Mining activities have shaped the local labor market and industrial landscape, contributing to the city's development as an industrial and residential zone. The extraction and processing of phosphate have provided employment opportunities and influenced the urban fabric of Russeifa. In addition to its industrial character, Russeifa holds archaeological significance. The area features historical sites that reflect the long-term human settlement patterns in the Jordanian highlands. These archaeological remnants offer insights into the region's past, including ancient trade routes and settlement structures. The combination of industrial activity and historical heritage defines the unique character of Russeifa, distinguishing it from other cities in the Zarqa Governorate. The city's development continues to balance modern urban needs with the preservation of its economic and historical assets.
Did you know: Russeifa is the fourth-largest city in Jordan by population, a status it held as of the 2015 census data.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Russeifa?
Russeifa had a population of 472,604 inhabitants in 2015.
Which governorate is Russeifa located in?
Russeifa is located in the Zarqa Governorate of Jordan.
How large is the city of Russeifa?
The city covers an area of 38 square kilometers.
What is the official language of Russeifa?
The official language of Russeifa is Arabic.
What is the time zone for Russeifa?
Russeifa is in the Asia/Amman time zone.