| Ajloun Governorate | |
| Native Name: | Arabic: محافظة عجلون |
| Settlement Type: | Governorate |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | Jordan |
| Parts Type: | Subdivisions |
| Parts Style: | para |
| P1: | Ajloun Department |
| P2: | Kofranjah Department |
| Leader Title1: | Governor |
| Leader Name1: | Ali Azzam |
| Seat: | Ajloun |
| Seat Type: | Capital |
| Area Total Km2: | 420 |
| Population As Of: | 2012 |
| Population Total: | 146900 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone1: | GMT +2 |
| Timezone1 Dst: | +3 |
| Blank Name: | Urban |
| Blank Info: | 75.9% |
| Blank1 Name: | Rural |
| Blank1 Info: | 24.1% |
| Blank Name Sec2: | HDI (2021) |
| Blank Info Sec2: | 0.714[1] · 6th of 12 |
Ajloun Governorate (alternative spelling Ajlun Governorate) (Arabic: محافظة عجلون) is one of the governorates of Jordan, located north of Amman the capital of Jordan. Ajloun Governorate has the fourth highest population density in Jordan (after Irbid, Jerash, and Balqa Governorates) with a population density of 350.1 people/km2 (2012 estimate). It is bordered by Jerash Governorate from the south east and Irbid Governorate from the north and west.
Article 14 of the Administrative Divisions System of the Ministry of Interior divides Ajloun Governorate into two departments.
includes 50 towns and villages, with its administrative center in Ajloun.
includes 19 towns and villages, its administrative center is in Kofranjah.
During the Crusades, a general of Saladin, Izz Al-Din Osama, built a fortress on Mount Ouff. The region also hosts the famous Ajlun Castle (previously called Qal'at Salah Ad-Dein). The castle was built as a garrison structure to protect Ajloun's strategic location from crusaders.[2]
Along with Balqa and Karak governorates, Ajloun was formerly a united sanjak of the Ottoman Empire.
Ajloun is known for its high elevation, which makes it one of the coolest cities in Jordan, with an average maximum temperature during January of 8.2 degrees Celsius, and a minimum average temperature of 2.8 degrees Celsius. Snow is common during the winter.
The population of districts according to census results:[3]
| District | Population (Census 1994) | Population (Census 2004) | Population (Census 2015) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajloun Governorate | 94,548 | 118,725 | 176,080 | |
| Kufranjah | 20,809 | 27,107 | 38,260 | |
| Qaṣabah 'Ajlūn | 73,739 | 91,618 | 137,820 |
The governorate depends mainly on agriculture. In 2008, olive, grape and fruit farms constituted a total area of 141.4 km2 which is 34% of the area of Ajloun Governorate.[4]
There are 28 primary and secondary schools in Ajloun, most of them being public institutions, such as Ajloun University College (a public college) and Ajloun National University, a small private university.
Notable towns and villages in Ajloun (other than Ajloun self) include Ibbeen (Ebeen), Sakhra, Mrajjam, Rasoun, Rajeb, Ain Janna, Kufranji, Anjara and Al Hashimiyya.