Al Balqaa is one of Jordan's older governorates, set in the west of the country. Irbid, Jerash and Ajloun lie to its north, Madaba to the south, Amman and Zarqa to the east, and the Jordan River and the Dead Sea to the west. Its historic capital and main centre is Salt, which is also home to Al-Balqa Applied University.
The land ranges from high, cooler mountain areas to the warm valley floor of the Jordan Valley, so the climate depends on where you settle. The source guide groups the property market into three broad zones: old quarters, newer neighbourhoods and mountain areas. Apartments are listed for both sale and rent in a range of sizes, with cash or instalment payment.
Salt was a Roman-era town on the road between Jerash and Amman, and its old stone buildings are known for solid, elegant construction. Heritage sites include:
- Salt Castle and the Great Mosque of Salt
- Abu Jaber Historical Museum and the Salt Archaeological Museum
- Hammam Street and the city's heritage buildings
Day-to-day services include Salt Government Hospital and New Al-Hussein Hospital, a choice of schools, shopping centres and markets, and green spaces such as Zay National Park. The Salt bus complex connects the governorate with Amman and nearby cities.
