Ras al-Ein (Arabic: رأس العين; alternative English spellings Ras Al-Ain, Ras al Ayn, etc.) is one of the 22 administrative sub-districts of the city of Amman, Jordan, as governed by the Greater Amman Municipality.[1][2]

Ras Al-Ein
Area
CountryJordan
GovernorateAmman
Time zoneGMT +2
 • Summer (DST)+3

The character of the neighborhood has been summarized as "an eclectic mix of haphazardly connected memories and intentions, somehow combining the grandeur of the Roman Amphitheatre to the bustling local markets and the newly imagined cultural projects and institutions."[3]

Location edit

The technical boundaries of the district are: Ali Ben Abi Taleb Street to the north, As-Sakhrah Al-Musharrafah Street to the south, Al-Quds Street to the west and Price Hassan Street to the east. Colloquially, references to the Ras al-Ein neighborhood often indicate a more expansive definition.[3] For example, Ras Al Ein Park is located technically just beyond the sub-district's northeastern boundaries.

Ras al-Ein is a sub-district of the larger Qasabah Amman area, which includes Al-Abdali, Al-Madinah, Al-Yarmuk, Bader, and Zahran.[4]

Demographics edit

According to a 2015 general census, the population of Ras al-Ein stands at 138,024 divided into 28,474 households.[5][6]

The boundaries of the district cover a relatively small geographic area compared to other districts in Amman—only 6.79 km2. Population density is 20,377/km2.[4]

Features edit

 
A street in Ras Al Ain.

Natural resources edit

The area contains a spring that provides a small fraction of Amman's water supply.[7] It was once the location of a running spring.[3] This may be where the area gets its name (similar to Ras Al Ain in Lebanon).

Transportation edit

Located near the center of town, Ras Al-Ein is a major transportation corridor.

Amman's South Bus Station is located in this district.[8] The neighborhood is intended for inclusion in the Bus Rapid Transit project, construction for which is ongoing today and will eventually connect Ras Al Ein's northern streets with 5th Circle and Sports City via Princess Basma Street.[9]

 
An exhibition in the Ras Al Ain Hangar, for Amman Design Week.

Ras Al Ein Park edit

The Ras Al Ein Park, located at the northernmost boundary of the area between Ali Ben Abi Taleb and Omar Matar streets, was first opened in February 2017. The park includes two playgrounds, a bicycle track, and pedestrian paths.[10]

Cultural Facilities edit

Ras Al Ain has been called by some a "cultural corridor" or "cultural strip."[3] A number of cultural edifices are located in Ras al-Ein, such as the Ras Al Ain Gallery and Hangar, the Jordan Museum, Nakheel Square, and the National Music Conservatory. The Greater Amman Municipality headquarters is also located nearby these, at the northernmost border of the district.

Friday Market edit

Amman's Friday Market is an outdoor market primarily selling second-hand clothing and shoes. It first opened in 1988. In 2014 it moved from its previous location in al-Abdali to Ras al Ein, a decision said to be sparked by the city's desire to alleviate congestion in the Abdali neighborhood.[11][12]

References edit

  1. ^ "Jordan: Administrative Division, Governorates and Districts". citypopulation.de. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  2. ^ "Atlas of ELECTORAL DISTRICTS" (PDF). UNDP. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d El-Mousa, Amer (26 June 2016). "A Conversation with Ras El-Ain". Amman Design Week. Retrieved 28 Nov 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Greater Amman Municipality (Jordan): City Districts - Population Statistics, Charts and Map". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  5. ^ "Greater Amman Municipality – GAM Interactive". Ammancity.gov.jo. Archived from the original on 9 January 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  6. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  7. ^ Darmame, Khadija (2014-06-11), Ababsa, Myriam (ed.), "Amman. The Capital's Monopolization of Water Ressources", Atlas of Jordan : History, Territories and Society, Contemporain publications, Beyrouth: Presses de l’Ifpo, pp. 425–427, ISBN 978-2-35159-438-4, retrieved 2020-11-28
  8. ^ "South Bus Station (Google Maps)". South Bus Station. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  9. ^ "Mayor of Amman: "The Bus Rapid Transit" is quite an achievement in the development of public transport in the Capital". Al Bawaba. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  10. ^ "Ras Al Ain park opens to public". Jordan Times. 2017-02-09. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  11. ^ "Abdali Friday market to open in new location on Oct. 9 — GAM". Jordan Times. 2014-09-15. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  12. ^ "View over Ras al-Ain, Amman". Acor Jordan. Retrieved 2020-11-28.