Zarqa

Zarqa (ArB|الزرقاء; BGN: Az Zarqāʼ; local pronunciation "ez-Zergā" or "ez-Zer'a") is a city in Jordan located to the northeast of Amman. At 792,665 inhabitants (2000), comprising 15.5% of Jordan's population, it is the country's second largest city. Zarqa is the capital of Zarqa Governorate (Arabic "Muhāfazat az-Zarqā"). Its name means "the blue one."

Zarqa is Jordan's industrial centre, home to over 50% of Jordanian factories. The growth of industry in the city is the result of low real estate costs and proximity to the capital, Amman. Migration to Zarqa has steadily progressed since the 1940s. More than 50% of Zarqa's population migrated from the West Bank following the Six Day War. Zarqa's climate is desert-like, to a much greater degree than nearby Amman. Qasr Shebib is a prominent local landmark.

A new settlement that will house more that 370,000 people has been approved by the Jordanian government. This will be funded by Saudi Arabian corporations. New office buildings will also be constructed by Gulf corporations. A new railway will be constructed to connect Amman with Az-Zarqa.

Hashemite University is also in Zarqa.