# Jerash

> city in Jordan

**Wikidata**: [Q31565](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q31565)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerash)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jerash

## Summary
Jerash is a city in Jordan, historically known as Gerasa, and is one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the Middle East. It is located in the Jerash Governorate and serves as a major archaeological and cultural site. The city is also recognized on the UNESCO Tentative List as a World Heritage Site due to its historical significance.

## Key Facts
- Jerash is located in the Jerash Governorate of Jordan.
- It covers an area of 410 square kilometers.
- Population: 50,745 (as of 2015).
- Coordinates: Latitude 32.27228, Longitude 35.89140.
- Elevation: 600 meters above sea level.
- Timezone: UTC+02:00.
- It is a Tentative World Heritage Site, listed under criteria (iii) and (iv) since January 13, 2004.
- Replaces the ancient city of Gerasa.
- Aliases include: Gerasa, Djerach, Jérash, Jarash, Gérasa, Dscheras, ジェラッシュ, ゲラサ, Джераш, جحفية, and others.
- Twinned with Orăștie.
- Official website: [jerash.gov.jo](http://www.jerash.gov.jo)
- Sitelink count: 52
- Listed in multiple encyclopedias and databases including the Encyclopædia Britannica, Catholic Encyclopedia, and World History Encyclopedia.
- Has a rich heritage designation and is part of the UNESCO Tentative List.
- Connected to various digital libraries and geographic thesauri including the Library of Congress, VIAF, and Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names.
- Notable for its ancient ruins and historical significance as a crossroads of East and West cultures.

## FAQs
### What is Jerash known for?
Jerash is known for its remarkably preserved ancient Greco-Roman ruins, making it one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Middle East. It was once the ancient city of Gerasa and is now a major cultural and historical site in Jordan. The city is also on the UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List.

### What is the population and location of Jerash?
Jerash is located in the Jerash Governorate of Jordan. As of 2015, it had a population of 50,745. The city covers an area of 410 square kilometers and is situated at an elevation of 600 meters above sea level.

### What is the historical significance of Jerash?
Jerash, historically known as Gerasa, was a major city in the Decapolis, a league of ten cities in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. It is recognized for its cultural and historical importance, particularly for its well-preserved ruins that reflect the meeting of Eastern and Western civilizations.

### What organizations and designations is Jerash associated with?
Jerash is a Tentative World Heritage Site under the UNESCO World Heritage criteria (iii) and (iv). It is also listed in various encyclopedias and databases, including the Library of Congress, the Catholic Encyclopedia, and the World History Encyclopedia. It is twinned with Orăștie.

### What are some aliases and alternative names for Jerash?
Jerash is also known by several names including Gerasa, Djerach, Jérash, Jarash, Gérasa, Dscheras, ジェラッシュ, ゲラサ, Джераш, جحفية, and others.

### What is the official website for Jerash?
The official website for Jerash is [jerash.gov.jo](http://www.jerash.gov.jo).

### What is the elevation and timezone of Jerash?
Jerash is located at an elevation of 600 meters above sea level and operates in the UTC+02:00 timezone.

## Why It Matters
Jerash holds immense historical and cultural significance as one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the Middle East. As the ancient city of Gerasa, it was a key member of the Decapolis, a league of ten cities that played a crucial role in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Its ruins are a testament to the architectural and cultural fusion of East and West, making it a vital site for understanding ancient urban life and cross-cultural exchange. The city's designation as a Tentative World Heritage Site underscores its global importance. It also serves as a major tourist destination, contributing to Jordan's cultural tourism economy. Its well-preserved structures, such as the Oval Plaza, the Temple of Artemis, and the Hippodrome, offer a window into ancient urban planning and social life. The city's continued recognition in international databases and encyclopedias highlights its enduring relevance.

## Notable For
- Being one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the Middle East.
- Its inclusion on the UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List since 2004.
- Serving as a key site in the Decapolis, a league of ten cities.
- Hosting the ruins of Gerasa, which reflect the architectural and cultural synthesis of ancient East-West interactions.
- Its rich archaeological heritage, including the Temple of Artemis, the South Theatre, and the Cardo Maximus.
- Being a major tourist destination in Jordan, drawing visitors from around the world.

## Body

### History
Jerash, historically known as Gerasa, was one of the ten cities of the Decapolis, a league of Greco-Roman cities in the eastern Roman Empire. The city flourished from the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE and was a major center of Hellenistic and Roman culture. The ancient city was part of the Roman province of Syria and later Byzantine Palaestina Tertia. It was a significant cultural and commercial hub, strategically located on trade routes connecting the East and West. The city was largely destroyed by earthquakes in the 8th century, leading to its decline. In the 20th century, archaeological excavations began to uncover its ancient ruins, revealing one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the Middle East.

### Archaeological Significance
Jerash is notable for its well-preserved ruins, including the Temple of Artemis, the South Theatre, and the Hippodrome. These structures reflect the architectural and cultural synthesis of East and West, making it a key site for understanding ancient urban life. The site is recognized by UNESCO as a Tentative World Heritage Site under criteria (iii) and (iv), highlighting its cultural significance. The city's ruins are a major draw for tourists and scholars alike, contributing to Jordan's cultural tourism economy.

### Geography and Demographics
Jerash is located in the Jerash Governorate of Jordan. It covers an area of 410 square kilometers and is situated at an elevation of 600 meters above sea level. The city's coordinates are 32.27228° N, 35.89140° E. As of 2015, the population was 50,745. The city operates in the UTC+02:00 timezone.

### Cultural and International Recognition
Jerash is listed in multiple international databases and encyclopedias, including the Library of Congress, the Catholic Encyclopedia, and the World History Encyclopedia. It is also twinned with Orăștie. The city is part of the UNESCO Tentative List as a World Heritage Site, with the official name "Jerash Archaeological City (Ancient Meeting Place of East and West)" and has been recognized since January 13, 2004.

### Modern Governance and Administration
Jerash is the capital of the Jerash Governorate and is governed by the Jerash Governorate administrative body. The city's official website is [jerash.gov.jo](http://www.jerash.gov.jo). It is also listed in the Geographic Names Server (GNS) and has a UN/LOCODE of JOJAR.

### Related Entities and Databases
Jerash is connected to various digital libraries and geographic thesauri, including the Library of Congress (nr987007538005205171), VIAF (139983465), and the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names (1081893). It is also listed in the Encyclopædia Britannica and the Catholic Encyclopedia.

### Notable Structures and Features
The city is known for its well-preserved ruins, including the Temple of Artemis, the South Theatre, and the Hippodrome. These structures reflect the architectural and cultural synthesis of East and West, making it a key site for understanding ancient urban life.

### Tourism and Cultural Impact
Jerash is a major tourist destination in Jordan, drawing visitors from around the world. Its well-preserved structures offer a window into ancient urban planning and social life. The city's continued recognition in international databases and encyclopedias highlights its enduring relevance. It is also a key site for understanding ancient urban life and cross-cultural exchange.

### Digital Presence and References
Jerash is listed in multiple languages on Wikipedia, including Arabic, English, French, German, and others. It is also listed in the Quora topic "Jerash" and has a dedicated Google Play Store ID. The city is also listed in the Sketchfab model database with the ID jerash-jordan-c90ade57e8334d4e85a94a8f55c9c178.

### Related Projects and Collaborations
Jerash is part of the World Heritage Tentative List, managed by UNESCO. It is also part of the Decapolis, a league of ten cities. The city is also part of the Geographic Names Server (GNS) and has a UN/LOCODE of JOJAR. It is also listed in the online PWN Encyclopedia with the ID 3896153. The city is also listed in the Topostext database with the ID 322358UGer.

### Notable People and Cultural Figures
Jerash is associated with various notable people, including those born in the city and those who have contributed to its cultural and historical significance. The city is also associated with the category "People from Jerash" and "Views of Jerash" in various databases. It is also listed in the category "Category:Jerash" in multiple databases.

### Modern Infrastructure and Digital Presence
Jerash has a dedicated website at [jerash.gov.jo](http://www.jerash.gov.jo) and is listed in the Google Play Store. It is also part of the Sketchfab model database with the ID jerash-jordan-c90ade57e8334d4e85a94a8f55c9c178. The city is also listed in the Geographic Names Server (GNS) and has a UN/LOCODE of JOJAR.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](https://vici.org/vici/7862)
4. GeoNames
5. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/jo.htm)
6. Quora