open-index/open-wikipedia-markdown huggingface dataset:
Bethlehem Govrenorate

The **Bethlehem Govrenorate** () is ane o 16 Govrenorates o Palestine athin the Palestine. It covers an aurie o the Wast Bank, sooth o Jerusalem. Its principal ceety an deestrict caipital is Bethlehem Municipality. Accordin tae the Palestinian Central Bureau o Statistics, its population wis 180,116 in mid-year 2006.

## Geography
Accordin tae the Bethlehem Municipality, the ceety haes a total aurie o 575&nbsp;km² (222.3&nbsp;mi²). O this aurie, 80&nbsp;km² (30.8&nbsp;mi²) in currently unner the control o the Palestinian Naitional Authority.

## Politics
Politically, the Bethlehem Governorate is something o a stranghauld o the Palestinian left. At the Palestinian legislative election, 2006 the Popular Front for the Liberation o Palestine an The Alternative baith haed their best votes there. Its current govrenor is Salah al-Tamari.

## Localities
The govrenorate consists o 10 municipalities, 3 refugee camps, an 58 rural destricts

### Municipalities
* Battir
* Beit Fajjar
* Beit Jala
* Beit Sahour
* Beit Lahm (Bethlehem)
* al-Dawha
* Husan
* al-Khader
* Nahalin
* Tuqu'
* al-Ubeidiya
* Za'atara

### Local an veelage cooncils

* 'Arab al-Rashayida
* Artas
* al-Asakra
* Beit Ta'mir
* Dar Salah
* Hindaza
* al 'Iqab
* Juhdum
* Jurat ash Sham'a

* Khirbet al-Deir
* Marah Rabah
* Rakhme
* Umm Salamuna
* ash Shawawra
* Wadi al-Arayis
* Wadi Fukin
* al-Walaja

### Refugee camps
* Aida
* 'Azza
* Dheisheh

## References
Jenin Govrenorate

The **Jenin Govrenorate** () is ane o the 16 Govrenorates o Palestine athin Palestine, it covers the northren extremity o the Wast Bank includin the aurie aroond the ceety o Jenin. 

Accordin tae the Palestinian Central Bureau o Statistics 2007 Census, the Govrenorate haed a population o 256,619 livin in 47,437 hoosehaulds. 100,701 inhabitants (or 39%) wur unner the age o 15 an 80,263 (or 31%) wur registered refugees.
Accordin tae the Palestinian Central Bureau o Statistics 1997 Census, the Governorate haed a population o 195,074.

It is the anerlie govrenorate in the Wast Bank whaur the majority o control o land is unner the Palestinian Naitional Authority. Fower Israeli settlements wur evacuatit as a pairt o Israel's unilateral disengagement plan in 2005. It is govrened bi Qadoura Mousa.

## Localities
### Ceeties
* Jenin (includes Jenin camp)  
* Qabatiya

### Municipalities
* Ajjah
* Arrabah
* Burqin
* Dahiyat Sabah al-Khei
* Deir Abu Da'if
* Jaba
* Kafr Dan
* Kafr Rai
* Meithalun
* Silat al-Harithiya
* Silat ad-Dhahr
* Yabad
* al-Yamun
* Zababdeh

### Veelage cooncils
The follaein is a leet o Palestinian localities in the Jenin Govrenorate wi populations o 1000 or more.

* 'Anin
* Anzah
* Araqah
* Arranah
* al-Attara
* Barta'a ash-Sharqiyah
* Bir al-Basha
* Deir Ghazaleh
* Fahma
* Fandaqumiya
* Faqqua
* Jalamah
* Jalbun
* Jalqamus 
* Kufeirit

* Mirka
* Misilyah
* al-Mughayyir
*Nazlet Zeid
* Rummanah
* Sanur
* ash-Shuhada
* Sir
* at-Tayba
* Ti'inik
* Tura al-Gharbiya
* Umm ar-Rihan
* Umm at-Tut
* Zububa

## See an aa
* Govrenorates o Palestine

## Source

## Freemit airtins
*Administrative divisions in the Palestinian Territories
Nablus Govrenorate

The **Nablus Governorate** () is an admeenistrative destrict o the Palestinian Naitional Authority
locatit in the Central Hielands o the Wast Bank, 53&nbsp;km north o Jerusalem. It covers the aurie aroond the ceety o Nablus which serves as the *muhfaza* (seat) o the govrenorate. It is govrened bi Mahmoud Aloul.

## Municipalities
### Ceeties
The anerlie ceety in the govrenorate is Nablus.
*Nablus

### Touns
The follaein localities hae populations ower 4,000 an municipal cooncils o 11-15 members.
*Aqraba
*Asira al-Shamaliya
*Beita
*Huwara
*Jammain
*Qabalan
*Sebastiya

### Veelage cooncils
The follaein localities hae populations abuin 1,000 an veelage cooncils o 3 tae 9 members.  

*Asira al-Qibliya
*Azmut
*Awarta
*Al-Badhan
*Balata al-Balad
*Beit Dajan
*Beit Furik
*Beit Hasan
*Beit Iba
*Beit Imrin
*Beit Wazan
*Bizziriya
*Burin
*Burqa
*Deir al-Hatab
*Deir Sharaf
*Duma
*Einabus
*Furush Beit Dajan
*Ijnisinya
*Jurish
*Kafr Qallil
*Al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya

*Majdal Bani Fadil
*An-Naqura
*An-Naseriya
*Odala
*Osarin
*Qaryut
*Qusin
*Qusra
*Rujeib
*Salim
*Sarra
*As-Sawiya
*Talfit
*Talluza
*Tell
*Urif
*Yanun
*Yasid
*Yatma
*Zawata
*Zeita Jammain

## Refugee camps
*Askar
*Balata
*Ein Beit al-Ma'

## See an aa
* Govrenorates o Palestine

## Sources
*Administrative divisions in the Palestinian Territories 
* Nablus Governorate Wabsteid
Qalqilya Govrenorate

The **Qalqilya Govrenorate** () is an admeenistrative aurie o the Palestinian Naitional Authority in the northwastren Wast Bank. Its caipital or *muhfaza* (seat) is the ceety o Qalqilya that borders the Green Line.

## Localities
### Municipalities
* Azzun
* Hableh
* Qalqilya
* Kafr Thulth

### Touns an veelages
* Azzun 'Atma
* Baqah
* Baqat al-Hatab
* Beit Amin
* Falamiyya
* Hajjah
* Immatain
* Islah
* Jayyous
* Jinsafut
* Jit
* Kafr Laqif
* Kafr Qaddum
* an Nabi Elyas
* Ras Atiya
* Sanniriya
* Fara'ata
* Salman
Tulkarm Govrenorate

The **Tulkarm Govrenorate** () is an admeenistrative destrict an ane o 16 Govrenorates o Palestine locatit in the northwastren Wast Bank. The govrenorate's land aurie is 268 square kilometers. Accordin tae the Palestinian Central Bureau o Statistics, the govrenorate haed a population o 172,800 inhabitants. The *muhfaza* or district caipital is the ceety o Tulkarm.

## Localities
The Tulkarm Govrenorate haes 51 localities an twa refugee camps. The touns an ceeties mentioned belaw hae populations o ower 1,000.

### Municipalities
*Anabta
*Attil
*Bal'a
*Baqa ash-Sharqiyya
*Beit Lid
*Deir al-Ghusun
*Qaffin
*Tulkarm

### Touns

## See an aa
*Govrenorates o Palestine

## References
Ramallah an al-Bireh Govrenorate

The **Ramallah an al-Bireh Governorate** () is ane o 16 Govrenorates o Palestine. It covers a lairge pairt o the central Wast Bank, on the northren border o the Jerusalem Govrenorate. Its destrict caipital or *muhfaza* (seat) is the ceety o al-Bireh.

Accordin tae the Palestinian Central Bureau o Statistics (PCBS), the destrict haed a population o 279,730 in 2007. Its governor is Said Abu Ali.

## Localities
Accordin tae PCBS, the govrenorate haes 78 localities includin refugee camps in its jurisdiction. Thirteen localities retain the status o a municipality.

### Ceeties
* Ramallah : 27,460
* Beitunia : 19,761
* al-Bireh : 38,202

### Municipalities
The follaeing localities in the Ramallah an al-Bireh Govrenorate hae populations ower 10,000
* Bani Zeid
* Bani Zeid al-Sharqiya
* Beit Liqya
* Bir Zeit
* Deir Dibwan
* Deir Jarir
* al-Ittihad
* Kharbatha al-Misbah
* al-Mazra'a ash-Sharqiya
* Ni'lin
* Silwad
* Sinjil
* Turmus Ayya
* al-Zaitounah

### Village cooncils
The follaein localities in the Ramallah an al-Bireh Governorate hae populations ower 1,000.

* Abud
* Abu Qash
* Abwein
* Ajjul
* 'Atara
* Beitin
* Bil'in
* Beit Rima
* Beit Sira
* Beit Ur al-Fauqa
* Beit Ur al-Tahta
* Budrus
* Burqa
* Deir Ibzi
* Deir Abu Mash'al
* Deir Qaddis
* Deir as-Sudan
* Dura al-Qar
* Ein 'Arik
* Ein Qiniya
* Ein Yabrud

* al-Janiya
* Jifna
* Kafr Ein
* Kafr Malik
* Kafr Nima
* Khirbet Abu Falah
* Kobar
* al-Lubban al-Gharbi
* Mazra'a ash-Sharqiya
* al-Midya
* al-Mughayyir
* Qarawat Bani Zeid
* Qibya
* Rammun
* Rantis
* Ras Karkar
* Saffa
* Shuqba
* Surda
* Taybeh

### Refugee camps
* Am'ari
* Deir Ammar
* Jalazone

## See an aa
* Govrenorates o Palestine

## References
Salfit Govrenorate

The **Salfit Govrenorate** () is ane o 16 Govrenorates o the Palestine. It is located in the northwastren Wast Bank, bordered bi the govrenorates o Ramallah an al-Bireh tae the sooth, Nablus tae the east an Qalqilya in the north as well as, Israel tae the wast. Its destrict caipital an lairgest ceety is Salfit. Accordin tae the Palestinian Central Bureau o Statistics (PCBS), the govrenorate haed a population o 64,129 inhabitants in mid-year 2006. In the PCBS's census in 1997, which registered 46,671 residents, refugees accoontit for 7.7% o the total population. There were 23,758 males and 22,913 females.

## Localities
* Biddya
* Bruqin
* Dar Abu Basal
* Deir Ballut
* Deir Istiya
* Farkha
* Haris
* Iskaka
* Izbat Abu Adam
* Kafr ad-Dik
* Khirbet Qeis
* Khirbet Susa
* Kifl Hares
* Marda
* Mas-ha
* Qarawat Bani Hassan
* Qira
* Rafat
* Salfit
* Sarta
* Yasuf
* Za'tara
* az-Zawiya

## Israeli Settlements & Ootposts
* Alei Zahav
* Ariel
* Barkan
* El Matan
* Elqana
* Etz Efraim
* Havat Yair
* Immanuel
* Karnei Shomron
* Kfar Tapuach
* Kiryat Netafim
* Ma'ale Shomron
* Magen Dan
* Nofei Nehemia
* Nofim
* Peduel
* Revava
* Tapuach Wast
* Yakir

## References
Qasr al-Hallabat

**Qasr al Hallabat** is a toun in the Amman Govrenorate o north-wastren Jordan.  The toun is named efter the Umayyad castle locatit thare.  An aa locatit in the toun is the Qasr Hammam As Sarah.  It is locaedt north-east o the caipital o Amman.

## Castle

The complex o Qasr al-Hallabat is locatit in Jordan's eastren desert. Oreeginally a Roman fortress biggit unner Emperor Caracalla tae pertect its indwallers frae Bedouin tribes, this site dates oe the seicont an third century AD, awtho thare is trace evidence o Nabatean presence at the site. It wis ane o mony on the Roman hghway, Via Nova Traiana, a route that connected Damascus tae Aqaba bi wey o Petra an Amman. Howsomever,, bi the aicht century, the Umayyad Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik ordered for the Roman structures tae be demolished in order tae redevelop this military site an its neighboring territory tae acome ane o the grandest o aw Umayyad desert complexes.

Guided bi the extant plan, he incorporated a mosque (foond 15 meters frae the southeast o the main structur), a complicated watter seestem includin five cisterns an a considerably lairge watter reservoir, an a bathhouse. Furthermair, situated tae the wast o the palace remains an enclosed structur probably uised for agricultural purposes sic as cultivating olive trees an/or grapevines. While an earlier ane-layered ofuitprint o the agricultural structur still stands the day, three wall sections o the mosque, includin the mihrab in the southren wall, remain intact. The main palace is biggit o black basalt an limestone an haes a square floorplan wi touers at each corner. Grand in stature, the principal structures war faur enhanced wi decorative mosaics depicting an assortment o ainimals, detailed frescoes an heichly crafted stucco carvings. The site remains tae be completely restored.

Approximately 1400 meters east o the palace stands the remains o the mosque at Qusayr al-Hallabat. Small in scale, it measures 10.70 bi 11.80 meters an is biggit o layered limestone. Inside, twa arching rocks divide the mosque intae three sections. A roondit mauldin extends the perimeter o the space at the heicht o 2.10 meters. Similar tae Qusayr 'Amra an Qasr Hammam as Sarah, three tunnel vaults support the ruif o the structur. Encircling the mosque frae the north, wast, an east stood a 3.30-meter wide portico.


Image:Qasr Al-Hallabat mosque.jpg|mosque
Image:Qasr Al-Hallabat, entrance courtyard.jpg |entrance courtyard
Image:Qasr Al Hallabat, mosaic floor.jpg  |floor mosaic
Image:Qasr Al Hallabat, inscribed block.jpg |inscribed block



## Freemit airtins

*Satellite map at Maplandia.com
*Search for Qasr al Hallabat in the MSN Encarta atlas 
*Archnet entry for Qasr al Hallabat and Qasr as Sarah 
*A history of the excavation of Qasr al Hallabat 

## References
Karak Govrenorate

**Karak** (an aa **Kerak**) () is ane o the govrenorates o Jordan, locatit sooth-wast o Amman, Jordan's caipital. Its caipital is Al Karak. It borders Madaba an the Caipital Govrenorates tae the north, Ma'an Govrenorate frae the east, Tafilah Govrenorate frae the sooth, an the Dead Sea frae the wast.

## History
The land o Karak Govrenorate wis the hame o the Kinrick o Moab, durin the first millenium B.C. Their caipital an stranghauld is believed tae be near the ceety o Al Karak, which wis kent as the Qir o Moab. 

For a brief period o time, the land o Karak Governorate came unner Persian rule, an then the Nabateans teuk control o it, till the Romans invadit the Levant region an occupied their caipital Petra.  
Efter the comin o the Byzentines, they establisht a vassal state ruled bi the Ghassanids. 
The ceety o Mu'tah wis the sicht o the first clash atween the Muslim Arabs an the Byzantine Empire at the Battle o Mu'tah in 629 AD. 

Wi the comin o the Crusaders, the Principality o Kerak wis established, efter which Kerak wis a center front atween the Ayyubids an the Crusaders. 

Efter the creation o the admeenistrative govrenorates seestem in the Hashemite Kinrick o Jordan, Kerak became a govrenorate on 16 Juin 1966 wi Waheeb Al-Bitar as its first govrenor.

## Geography

The land o Karak Govrenorate is situatit alang the sooth eastren coast o the Dead Sea an the muntain chain kent as the Muntains o Moab. Wadi Mujib biblically kent as *Arnon River* flows through the muntains o Karak Govrenorate an ends in the Dead Sea. The ceeties in the govrenorate are locatit at elevations rangin frae ower 1000 meters abuin sea level in the Sooth Mazar Depairtment tae 800 meters abuin sea level in the northren depairtments tae aboot 350 meters belaw sea level at Gour Al Safi Depairtment.  

## Demographics
In the year 2004, accordin tae the Jordan Naitional Census o that year, the population o the Karak govrenorate wis 204,185 , i.e. 4% o the population o Jordan. The male-tae-female ratio wis 50.6 tae 49.4 , Jordanian citizens made up 95.42% Amang the Jordanian citizens the male-tae-female ratio wis 50.38 tae 49.62. O the non-Jordanians, the male-tae-female ratio wis 55.19 tae 44.81. The urban population constitutit 34.78% o the population, while 65.22% o the population o Karak Govrenorate is considered rural.  The estimatit population as o 2009 is 239,000. 

## Education
Mu'tah University is the anerlie university in the govrenorate, locatit in the ceety o Mu'tah, an is ane o the lairgest universities in Jordan bi number o students . 

## Admeenistrative Depairtments
Karak Govrenorate is dividit intae 10 depairtments accordin tae airticle 7 o the 46t Admeenistrative Diveesions Seestem o the year 2000:

## References
Beni Suef Govrenorate

**Beni Suef** ( ) is ane o the govrenorates o Egyp. It is in the centre o the kintra. Its caipital is the ceety o Beni Suef, locatit aboot 120km sooth o Cairo on the wast bank o the Nile River. The aurie is weel kent in Egyp for its cement factories.  The nearbi Meidum Pyramid is the anerlie real tourist attraction in the aurie.

Due tae different ways o transcribin the spellin it can an aa be kent as Beni Suef, or Beni Swaif.

## Freemit airtin
*  
*
Tafilah Govrenorate

**Tafilah** () is ane o the govrenorates o Jordan, locatit aboot 180&nbsp;km sooth-wast o Amman, Jordan's caipital.

Tafilah Govrenorate is bordered bi Karak Govrenorate tae the north, Ma'an Govrenorate tae the east an sooth, Aqaba Govrenorate tae the sooth, an bi Israel tae the wast. The aurie o this province constitutes 2.5% o the aurie o the Hashemite Kinrick o Jordan. It is dividit intae three depairtments. The population as o 2005 is aboot 82,000 (i.e. 1.6% o Jordan's population in 2005) livin in 32 touns an veelages athort the govrenorate (makin it the least populatit govrenorate o Jordan).

## History

Tafilah Govrenorate haes been inhabitit bi the Edomites syne the 11t century B.C. The entire land covered bi Tafilah Govrenorate wis the stranghauld o the Edomites wi the toun o Busaira as the caipital o Edom. The valley kent as Wadi Al-Hasa formed the bundary atween Edom an the neighborin kinrick o Moab in present-day Karak Govrenorate. Currently Wadi Al-Hasa forms the bundary atween Tafilah an Kerak Govrenorates, an itsel belangs admeenistratively tae Karak Govrenorate.

Amaist aw touns in Tafilah Govrenorate date back tae the Edomite period, the caipital ceity o Tafilah held the Edomite name o Tophel.

Edom aften allied wi Moab an Ammon, an later wi the Nabateans till thair faw tae the Roman Empire.

## Demographics
The population o Tafilah Govrenorate is estimatit tae be aboot 81,000 for the year 2008. The Jordan Naitional Census o the year 2004 shows that Tafilah Govrenorate haed a population o 75,267 in 2004 livin in the ceity o Tafilah an 31 ither touns an veelages, o whom 73,767 wur Jordanian ceetizens (98%). The male tae female ratio wis 51 tae 49.

## Admeenistrative diveesions

Airticle 11 o the Admeenistrative Diveesions Seestem o the Jordanian Meenistry o Interior divides Tafilah Govrenorate intae three depairtments as follaes  :

## Economy
The govrenorate depends mainly on agricultur an tourists frae ither pairts o the kintra visitin the naitural reserves an het watter springs in it. The tot aurie o fruit an olive farms in the govrenorate in 2008 wis 42.210&nbsp;km2 o which mair nor 31&nbsp;km2 wur o olive farms. Toun o Rashadiya haes the heichest elevation in the province at 1500m abuin sea level an receives an annual rain faw o 240&nbsp;mm.

## Touristic an Archeological Sites
Some o the historic an naitural sites in Tafila Govrenorate are:
* Busaira, kent as Bozra an aw, wis the caipital o the kinrick o Edom
* Sela: anither Edomite ceity at the far soothren edge o Tafilah Govrenorate
* Tophel: The present-day ceity o Tafilah is biggit on the ruins o this edomite toun.
* The auncient copper mines at Wadi Faynan.
* The Dana naitural reserve
* The Afra het watter springs
* The Bubeita het watter springs

## References
Aqaba Govrenorate

**Aqaba** () is ane o the govrenorates o Jordan, locatit sooth o Amman, caipital o Jordan. Its caipital is Aqaba. It is the fowert lairgest govrenorate in Jordan bi aurie an is ranked 10t bi population. 

Aqaba, the port at the Red Sea, plays an important role in the economic life o Jordan an haes mony attractions tae affer the vacationer. The Jordanian-Saudi border originally ran a few kilometers sooth o Aqaba. In 1965 the late Keeng Hussein exchynged 12&nbsp;km (7&nbsp;mi) o the valuable coastal strip for 6,000&nbsp;km (3,700&nbsp;mi) desert. The port is Jordan's maist important import/export hub.  The industrial port lies well away frae the beaches an the hotels, so that tourist activities are no affectit.

## History

The ceety o Aqaba wis inhabitit syne 400 BC, an is kent for Lawrence o Arabie an the Battle o Aqaba. 

The greatest archaeological treasure o the region is Petra. Petra lies on the eastren slope o Munt Hor in Wādī ʻAraba, a section o the Great Rift Valley that runs frae the Gulf o Aqaba on the Red Sea tae the Dead Sea. 

## Economy
 
The govrenorate population depends hivily on tourism as a major source o income. The port o Aqaba is the anerlie sea port for Jordan. Amaist aw o Jordan's foreign trade comes through Aqaba. Durin the Iraqi-Iranian War, Iraq uised the port o Aqaba for its foreign trade. 

## Admeenistrative Depairtments
Aqaba is dividit intae three depairtments accordin tae airticle 15 o the Admeenistrative Diveesions Seestem o the year 2000 bi the Meenistry o Interior:

## References
Ajloun Govrenorate

**Ajlun Govrenorate** (forby kent as **Ajloun Govrenorate**) () is ane o the govrenorates o Jordan, locatit north o Amman the caipital o Jordan. Ajlun Govrenorate haes the fowert heichest population density in the kinrick o Jordan (efter Irbid, Jerash, an Balqa Govrenorates) wi a population density o 313.3 ppkm2. It is bordered bi Jerash Govrenorate frae the sootheast an Irbid Govrenorate frae the north an wast.

## History

At a hie elevation, Ajlun haes ane o the maist bonnie forests in Jordan, an kent for its lang cauld winters. It is famous for its castle (Ajlun Castle), auld name wis Qal'at Salah Ad-Dein. The castle wis built as a garrison tae protect Ajlun strategic geography frae the crusaders. Efter the Crusades.

## Climate
Ajlun is kent for its hie elevation, which makes it ane o the coolest ceeties in Jordan, wi average maximum temperature durin Januar 8.2, an minimum average temperature 2.8.
Snaw is a common type o precipitation in the winter, due tae that Ajlun ceety is well prepared tae face winter.

## Economy

Ajloun Govrenorate depends mainly on agricultur. In 2008, Olive, grape an fruit farms constitutit a total aurie o 141.4 Km2 that is 34% o the aurie o Ajloun Govrenorate.

## Admeenistrative diveesions
Airticle 14 o the Admeenistrative Diveesions Seestem o the Meenistry o Interior divides Ajloun Govrenorate intae twa depairtments
* 1. Caipital Depairtment: includes 50 touns an veelages, wi its admeenistrative center in Ajloun.
* 2. Kofranjah Depairtment: includes 19 touns an veelages, its admeenistrative center is in Kofranjah.

## Significant veelages
The maist notable touns an veelages in Ajlun (ither than Ajlun itsel) are : Ain Janna, Kufranji, Anjara, Sakhra, Ibbeen "ُEbeen" an Hashmieh.

## References


## Freemit airtins
* http://www.dos.gov.jo
Ma'an Govrenorate

**Ma'an** () is the soothmaist o the govrenorates o Jordan, it is locatit sooth o Amman, Jordan's caipital. Its caipital is the ceety o Ma'an. This govrenorate is the lairgest in the kinrick o Jordan bi aurie. It's an aa haes lawest population density: 3 bodies per square km. It haes internaitional borders wi Saudi Arabie frae the east an sooth, an borders Aqaba, Tafilah, an Karak Govrenorates frae the wast, an Amman Govrenorate frae the north.

## History

The land o the Govrenorate o Ma'an hosts mony historic sites. Ma'an wis the caipital o the Arab state declared bi Emir Abdullah for a short period o time in 1920 afore movin the caipital tae Amman. The first newspaper in the modren day Jordan wis issued in Ma'an an wis named Alhaqqu Ya'lu (الحق يعلو ). The land o Ma'an Govrenorate wis unner the Edomite rule, which haed its caipital in Busaira in neighborin Tafilah Govrenorate. The Edomites wur then replaced bi the Nabateans who left ane o the maist significant sites in the Middle East, the auncient ceety o Petra. Efter succeedin in repulsin Macedonian an Roman invasions, Petra finally fell tae the Roman Empire in 103 A.D. Closely locatiit tae Petra is Munt Hor, whaur is it believed that Aaron brither o Moses dee'd, the muntain is named in Arabic *Jebel Nebi Harun * (Muntain o Prophet Aaron). Thare is a tomb for Aaron at the tap o the muntain.

In the 7t century A.D. the lands o Ma'an wur annexed tae the Islamic Khaliphate. Wi the comin o the Crusaders in the 11t century, The Crusaders teuk control o the hielands o Shoubak, at an elevation o mair nor 1300 meters abuin sea level,  the Crusaders biggit the castle o Montreal in the ceety o Shoubak.

In Hairst 1996 an Ware 1997 the Al-Jafr-desert, locatit near Al-Jafr in the eastren pairt o the govrenorate, wis the location o extensive tests o the ThrustSSC, the Breetish-biggit currently fastest land vehicle in the warld, which wis the first land vehicle tae break the soond barrier in October 1997 in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA. The ThrustSSC wis thus therefore the fastest land vehicle iver driven in an Arab kintra.

## Geography an climate
The climate in Ma'an is maistly desert climate, the wastren hielands hae a mediterranean climate. The average annual rainfall ranges frae 50&nbsp;mm in the desert regions tae 250&nbsp;mm in the wastren hielands, an exceeeds 500&nbsp;mm in the Sharah muntains.

## Admeenistrative Depairtments
The Meenistry o Interior divides Ma'an Govrenorate intae fower depairtments unner airticle 7 o the Admeenistrative Diveesions Seestem o the year 2000  . The caipital depairtment is further subdividit intae five subdiveesions:

## References
Kamphaeng Phet Province

**Kamphaeng Phet** (Thai กำแพงเพชร) is ane o the provinces (*changwat*) o Thailand, locatit in the north o the kintra. Neighborin provinces are (frae north clockwise) Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Nakhon Sawan an Tak.

## Etymology
The wird *Kamphaeng* means *Wall*, an the wird *Phet* frae Sanskrit *Vajra* meanin *[[diamond]]* (or wappen o *[[Indra]]*). Hence the name o the province literally means *Diamond Wall*.

## Geography
The main river o the province is the Ping, ane o the soorces o the Chao Phraya river. River flats mak up muckle o the east o the province, while the wast is maistly muntains covered wi forests.

Ane o the maist well-kent products o the province is banana. Banana festivals tak place in the province ivery year, tae thank the gods for the hairst.

## History
Kamphaeng Phet awready wis a ryal ceety in the Sukhothai Kinrick in the 14t century, then kent unner its auld name *Chakangrao*. It formed an important pairt o the defence seestem o the kinrick, as well as later o the Ayutthaya Kinrick.

## Symbols
The provincial seal shows the ceety walls surmuntit bi diamonds, for the ceety name means *diamond wall*. The provincial tree is the areca nut palm *(Acacia catechu)* an the provincial flouer the Bullet Wid (*[[Mimusops elengi]]*).

## Admeenistrative diveesions

The province is subdividit in 11 destricts (*[[amphoe]]*). Thir are further subdividit intae 78 subdestricts (*[[tambon]]*) an 823 veelages (*[[muban]]*).
Uthai Thani Province

**Uthai Thani** (Thai อุทัยธานี) is ane o the provinces (*changwat*) o Thailand. Neighborin provinces are (frae north clockwise) Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi an Tak.

## Geography
The province stretches frae the upper plains o the Chao Phraya river valley, tae muntains covered wi forests in the wast. The Sakae Krang River, a tributary o the Chao Phraya River is the main river o Uthai Thani province.

The Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary at the wastren bundary tae the province Tak an wis declared Warld Heritage Site in 1991. It covers 2,574&nbsp;km², an hooses amaist aw o the forest ainimals o Sootheast Asie, includin tigers an elephants.

## History
Oreeginally Mon an Lawa settled in the aurie. A first Thai dounset in the aurie wis Muang U Thai durin the Sukhothai period, but wis later abandoned whan the river chynged course. Patabeut, a member o the Karen ethnicity, revived the dounset at its currect place durin the Ayutthaya period. It served as a fort protectin the bundary o the kinrick then.

Uthai Thani is maist famous as bein the hametoun o the faither o King Rama I. Rama I an aa renamed the ceety frae its auld name *Uthai* tae *Uthai Thani*.

In 1892 King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) addit the aurie o Uthai Thani tae the Monthon Nakhon Sawan, an in 1898 formed the province.

## Seembols
The provincial seal depicts the pavilion at Wat Khao Sakaekrang. It hooses the statue o Thongdee, the faither o King Rama I. The muntain in the backgrund seembolizes the location o the pavilion on tap o a hill.

Provincial flouer is the Yellow Cotton Tree (*Cochlospermum regium*), provincial tree is Neem (*Azadirachta indica v. siamensis*).

The banner o Uthai Thani depicts the provincial seal o Uthai Thani in the middle. The yellae colour in the tap o the banner is the seembol colour o the Chakri Dynasty, as Gowd as a precious metal is a seembol for the Thai monarchy. The green colour in bottom is the seembol colour o King Rama I as he wis born on a Wadensday, which is associatit wi green in the Thai calendar. The text belaw the seal says *Uthai Thani province*.

## Admeenistrative diveesions

The province is subdividit in 8 destricts (*[[amphoe]]*). Thir are further subdividit intae 70 subdestricts (*[[tambon]]*) an 642 veelages (*[[muban]]*).
Nakhon Sawan Province

**Nakhon Sawan** () is ane o the provinces (*changwat*) o Thailand. Neighborin provinces are (frae north clockwise) Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phetchabun, Lop Buri, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, Uthai Thani an Tak.

## Etymology
The wird *Nakhon* oreeginates frae the Sanskrit wird *Nagara* meanin *[[ceety]]*, an the wird *Sawan* frae Sanskrit *[[svarga]]* meanin *[[heaven]]*. Hence the name o the province literally means *Heaven Ceety*.

## History
Nakhon Sawan wis a ceety syne Dvaravati era. While pairt o the Sukhothai Kinrick, it wis cawed *[[Mueang]]* Phra Bang, the soothren frontier ceety o Sukhothai. Later athin the Ayutthaya kingdom it wis an important tred centre acause o its location at the twa major rivers frae the north. It an aa wis the common meetin pynt o Burmese troops afore muivin tae attack Ayutthaya. In the reign o King Taksin the Great, Phra Bang became a Siamese military base tae prevent further Burmese attacks.

When King Mongkut signed the Bowring Treaty wi Breetain the glorious time o Nakhon Sawan began, as it became the main rice an teak tradin center. Housomeivver the openin o the Northren railwey in 1922, the economic crisis afore 1932 revolution, an finally the openin o Dejativongse brig an Phahonyothin hieway in 1950 each decreased the importance o watter transportation an sicweys made Nakhon Sawan less important.

When in 1895 King Chulalongkorn established the monthon as pairt o the *thesaphiban* admeenistrative reform, Nakhon Sawan became caipital ceety o Monthon Nakhon Sawan.

The 4t Infantry Regiment o the 3rd Aurie Airmy is based in Nakhon Sawan.  It is in chairge o the northwastren mairch wi Burma, frae Mae Hong Son in the north tae Kanchanaburi in the sooth.

## Geography
The Ping an Nan rivers merge near the ceety o Nakhon Sawan tae form the Chao Phraya River. The Mae Wong Naitional Paurk on the mairch wi Khamphaeng Phet province wis creatit in 1987 tae preserve the Mae Wong-Mae Poen jungle.

Bueng Boraphet is the lairgest freshwater swamp in Thailand, in tot coverin 212&nbsp;km². The swamp is locatit directly east o the toun Nakhon Sawan an extends intae the destricts Tha Tako an Chum Saeng. Durin the winter months mony waterfowls migrate thare. Pairts o the swamp are protectit as a non-huntin aurie.
Nakhon Nayok Province

**Nakhon Nayok** () is ane o the central provinces (*changwat*) o Thailand. Neighborin provinces are (frae north clockwise) Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Chachoengsao and Pathum Thani.

Nakhon Nayok is renowned for its refreshin waterfalls an abundant varieties o fruits.

## Etymology
The wird *Nakhon* oreeginates frae the Sanskrit wird *Nagara* (Devanagari:  नगर) meanin *[[ceety]]*, an the wird *Nayok* is sometimes described tae be derive frae Sanskrit *Nāyaka* (Devanagari:  नायक) meanin *leader* or *captain*. Housomeivver in this connection, *na* means "[tax o] rice field" an *yok* means "exempted". Hence the name o the province literally means *Ceety o Tax-Free*.

## Geography
The northren pairt o the province is locatit in the Sankambeng Range, the soothren prolongation o the Dong Phaya Yen muntain range, wi the heichest elevation the 1292 meter heich Yod Khao Kiew. Maist o that aurie is covered bi the Khao Yai Naitional Pairk. The central pairt o the province housomeivver is a rather flat river plain formed bi the Nakhon Nayok River. The soothren pairt o the province haes relatively unfertile acidic soil.

The main river o the province is the Nakhon Nayok River. It joins the Prachinburi River at Pak Nam Yothaka in Amphoe Ban Sang, Prachinburi province, which then becomes the Bang Pa Kong River.

Wang Takhrai is a botanical garden belangin tae the Chumphot - Phanthip Foondation. Locatit at the Wang Takhrai waterfall it is a popular place for tourists tae visit. Several ither waterfalls athin the province are well-kent as touristical targets - Nangrong an the nine-leveled Sarika waterfall are locatit athin the Khao Yai NP, an an' a' the Lan Rak (or Tat Hin Kong) waterfall.

## History
The ceety o Nakhon Nayok dates back tae the Dvaravati kinrick, probably foondit in the 11t century. Ruins frae this time are visible at Mueang Boran Dong Lakhon sooth o the modren ceety. Oreeginally named *[[Mueang]]* Lablae, the name Nakhon Nayok wis assigned tae it in 1350, when it became a garrison toun o the Ayutthaya Kinrick protectin the eastren bundary.

On 1 Januar 1943 the govrenment doungradit Nakhon Nayok Province an combined it wi Prachinburi Province, except Ban Na destrict which became pairt o Saraburi Province. On 9 Mey 1946 the province wis re-established.

## References
Ang Thong Province

**Ang Thong** () is ane o the central provinces (*changwat*) o Thailand. The name means "gowden bowl" which refer tae Angthong as a central for prosperity as it haes a lot o rice fields.

The neighborin provinces are (frae north clockwise) Sing Buri, Lopburi, Ayutthaya an Suphanburi.

It is luxurious o native handicraft lik, mauldit court dolls, firebrick, an wickerwirk. In Ang Thong, thare are mair nor 200 magnificent an interestin temples, appropriate for Thai chronological study.

## Geography
Ang Thong is a law river flat, crossed bi the Chao Phraya an the Noi river. It haes neither muntains nor forests, but consists o maistly agricultural land. The twa rivers thegither wi mony canals (*[[khlong]]s*) provide enough watter for rice farmin.

## History
Ang Thong wis historically kent as Wiset Chai Chan, locatit on the Noi River. It formed an important border toun o the Ayutthaya Kinrick durin the wars wi Burma, as the Noi river served as a naitural obstacle for advancin troops.

Durin the reign o keeng Taksin efter the faw o Ayutthaya the main ceety o the province wis moved tae the Chao Phraya river, an named Ang Thong, as the Noi river haed acome too shallow for transportation.

The name Ang Thong means 'gowd basin', surmised tae come frae the basin-lik geography o the aurie, an the gowden colour o the rice grown in the region.

Ang Thong is the oreegin o Li Ke, the native fowk sang, hametoun o Nai Dok an Nai Thongkaeo, the twa heroes durin Bang Rachan Battle.

## Seembols

The provincial seal shows some gowden lugs o rice in a bowl o watter. This seembolizes the fertility o the province as ane o the major producers o rice.

Provincial tree is the Gaub Tree (*Diospyros malabarica*).

## Admeenistrative diveesions

The province is subdividit intae 7 destricts (*[[amphoe]]*). The destricts are further subdividit intae 81 communes (*[[tambon]]*) an 513 veelages (*[[muban]]*).

## Tourism
Benetice

**Benetice** is a veelage in the Czech Republic.

Thare wis a gless factory in Benetice. It daes no exist onymair, but some local names o places are derived frae the pairts o the gless factory as name *Na sušírnách* or *Sklárenský rybník* (the name o a pond). Thare is recreation camp in Benetice. It wis uised as pioneer camp (pioneers wur fowk organized in ane group in Czech republic) an it wis uised for young fowk frae Hungary, Poland, an Germany.

A linden-tree grows on veelage green o Benetice. It wis plantit in 1945.

The castle Lipnice can be seen frae Benetice.
Sukhothai Province

**Sukhothai** () is ane o the northren provinces (*changwat*) o Thailand. Neighborin provinces are Phrae, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, an Lampang. Sukhothai can be translatit as *Dawn o Happiness*.

## Geography
Sukhothai is locatit in the valley o the Yom River on the lawer edge o the northren region, 427 kilometres north o Bangkok, an covers some 6,596 square kilometres.

The Khao Luang Muntain Range, wi its fower main peaks: Khao Phu Kha, Khao Phra Mae Ya, Khao Chedi, an Pha Narai, lies athin the Ramkhamhaeng Naitional Pairk in the sooth o the province. The Si Satchanalai Naitional Pairk is locatit in the north-wast, protectin the muntainous forest auries o the province.

## History

Sukhothai, meanin the Dawn o Happiness, wis a toun foondit in the 13t century on the fringe o the Khmer empire. The exact year is unknown, but according to the Fine Arts Office it was atween 1238 an 1257. Foondit by Phokhun Si Intharathit, it wis the first truly independent Thai (Siamese) Kinrick efter defeatin the Khmers. Sukhothai enjoyed a gowden age unner their third king, King Ramkhamhaeng, who wis creditit wi creatin the Khmer-derived Thai alphabet which is essentially the same as that in uise the day. He an aa laid the foondation for politics, the monarchy an releegion, as well as expandin its boondary o influence. Sukhothai wis later ruled bi mony kings. The province is maist famous for the historic ceety o Sukhothai, the caipital o the Sukhothai Kinrick. It is locatit aboot 12&nbsp;km frae the modren New Sukhothai ceety. Not far frae Sukhothai are the Si Satchanalai Historical Pairk an the Kamphaeng Phet Historical Pairk. Baith wur ceeties athin the umwhile Sukhothai kinrick an o the same time period.

The province wis at first kent as Sawankhalok; it wis renamed tae Sukhothai in 1939.

## Seembols
The provincial seal shows King Ramkhamhaeng the Great sittin on the Managkhasila Asana throne. Unner King Ramkhamhaeng the kinrick o Sukhothai flourished the maist.

Provincial tree is  *[[Afzelia xylocarpa]]*; provincial flower is the Lotus (*[[Nymphaea lotus]]*).

The provincial slogan is *Source o naitional heritage, the Thai alphabets, the best Loy Krathong celebrations, firm foondation o Buddhism, the fine Teen Jok cloth, auncient chinaware, holy Pho Khun Ramkhamhaeng’s mither, dawn o happiness*.

## Admeenistrative diveesions

The province is subdividit intae nine destricts (*[[amphoe]]*). These are further subdividit intae 86 communes (*[[tambon]]*) an 782 veelages (*[[muban]]*).

## References
Samut Songkhram Province

**Samut Songkhram** ( (Pronunciation)) is ane o the central provinces (*changwat*) o Thailand.

Neighborin provinces are (frae the sooth clockwise) Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi an Samut Sakhon. Local fowk caw Samut Songkhram Mae Klong. The province is the smawest o aw Thai provinces auriewise. Chang an Eng Bunker, the famous Siamese twins wur born here.

## Etymology
The wird *Samut* oreeginates frae the Sanskrit wird *Smudra* meanin *[[ocean]]*, an the wird *Songkhram* frae Sanskrit *Sangrama* meaning *[[war]]*. Hence the name o the province literally means *War Ocean*.

## Geography
Samut Songkhram is locatit at the mouth o the Mae Klong river tae the Gulf o Thailand. With several canals (*[[khlong]]*) the water o the river is spread through the province for irrigation. At the coast are mony lakes for producin sea salt. The sandbar Don Hoi Lot at the mouth o the river is famous for its endemic shell population o *[[Solen regularis]]*.

## History
In the Ayutthaya period the aurie o Samut Songkhram wis kent as Suan Nok (Thai สวนนอก, *Ooter garden*) an wis admeenistrated bi Ratchaburi. Durin the reign o King Taksin it wis made a province. It wis the birth place o Queen Amarindra o Keeng Rama I, who an aa initiatit the name Suan Nok. The birth place o King Rama II in Amphawa destrict is nou a Memorial Pairk.

## Seembols
The provincial seal shows a drum ower a river. The Thai wird for drum is *klong*, thus refers tae the Mae Klong river, as well as the auld name o the province, Mae Klong. On baith sides o the river coconut trees are displayed as ane o the main product o the province.

Provincial tree is *[[Casuarina equisetifolia]]*.

The provincial slogan is *Ceety o Hoi Lot, Top Lychee, Keeng Rama II Memorial Pairk, the Mae Klong River, an Luangpho Ban Laem.*

## Admeenistrative diveesions
The province is subdividit intae 3 destricts (*[[amphoe]]*). The destricts are further subdividit intae 38 communes (*[[tambon]]*) an 284 veelages (*[[muban]]*). There is ane toun (*[[thesaban mueang]]*) an three tounships (*[[thesaban tambon]]*).

## Cultur
### Festivals
The **Fair in Honour of King Rama II** is held in early Februar at the King Rama II Memorial Park in Amphoe Amphawa. There are performances, a demonstration o traditional Thai desserts, fowk plays, ootdoor classical Thai masked dance.

The **Lychee Fair** is held frae aroond the end o Mairch till early Aprile in Amphoe Amphawa (subject to the produce of each year).

The **Luangpho Ban Laem Fair** is held atween 13-19 Aprile at Wat Phetsamut Worawihan in Amphoe Mueang Samut Songkhram.

The **Sunset at Don Hoi Lot Fair and Board Sliding Competition** is held in May at Don Hoi Lot in Chuchi village, Mu 4, Tambon Bang Chakreng, Amphoe Mueang Samut Songkhram.

The **Khao Yai [[Pomelo]] Fair** is held yearly at the end o August.

The **Annual Long Boat Race** is held on Loy Krathong Day at Wat Rat Peng in Amphoe Mueang Samut Songkhram.

The **Mackerel Eating and Mae Klong Famous Products Festival** is held in front o Ceety Hall in December.

## References
Phitsanulok Province

**Phitsanulok** () is a provinces (*changwat*) o Thailand, locatit in the north. Neighborin provinces are (frae east clockwise) Loei, Phetchabun, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai, Uttaradit. In the north-east it an aa haes a short border wi Xaignabouli o Laos.

## Etymology
The first element Phitsanu (Thai:  พิษณุ) is a cognate o Vishnu, a Hindu god (see, e.g. Witsanu, Thai:  วิษณุ).  Lack o a v soond in the Thai leid accoonts for the twa forms.  The seicont element lok (Thai:  โลก) means globe or warld.  A loose translation o the entire name wad be *Vishnu's Heaven.*

## References
Sing Buri Province

**Sing Buri** () is ane o the central provinces (*changwat*) o Thailand. Neighborin provinces are (frae north clockwise) Nakhon Sawan, Lop Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri and Chai Nat.

## Etymology
The wird *Sing* oreeginates frae the Sanskrit wird *[[Singh]]* meanin *[[lion]]*, an the wird *buri* frae Sanskrit *Puri* meanin *[[toun]]* or *[[ceety]]*. Hence the name o the province literally means *Ceety o Lion*.

## Geography
Sing Buri is locatit in the flat river plain o the Chao Phraya river valley.

## History
The aurie o Singburi hauld an important position in early Thai history syne Dvaravati period doun tae Ayutthaya period. umwhile the province separatit intae 3 sma provinces - In Buri, Prom Buri an Sing Buri - which wur unified bi Keeng Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1895.

## Seembols
The provincial seal shows the fort o Khai Bangrachan, a historical monument. When the Burmese attacked Ayutthaya in 1765, eleven veelagers frae Bangrachan fought the airmy when it stopped north o Ayutthaya. They managed tae delay them for five month afore they wur finally defeatit, suin thereefter Ayutthaya fell as well. Annually on Februar 4 a ceremony is held in remembrance o these local heroes. This story wis an aa made intae a movie in Thailand.

Provincial tree is the Red Sandalwood Tree (*Adenanthera pavonina*).

## Admeenistrative diveesions

The province is subdividit intae 6 destricts (*[[amphoe]]*). The destricts are further subdividit intae 43 communes (*[[tambon]]*) an 363 veelages (*[[muban]]*).
Chainat Province

**Chainat** (Thai ชัยนาท (Pronunciation)) is ane o the central provinces (*changwat*) o Thailand. Neighborin provinces are (frae north clockwise) Nakhon Sawan, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri an Uthai Thani.

## Geography
Chai Nat is locatit in the flat river plain o central Thailand's Chao Phraya River valley. In the sooth o the province the Chao Phraya (umwhile Chai Nat) Dam impunds the Chao Phraya river, baith for flood control as well as tae divert water intae the kintra's lairgest irrigation seestem for the irrigation o rice paddies in the lawer river valley. The dam, pairt o the Greater Chao Phraya Project, wis finished in 1957 an wis the first dam constructit in Thailand.

## History
Oreeginally the ceety wis locatit at Sankhaburi. In the reign o Keeng Mongkut (Rama IV) the main settlement o the province wis moved tae its present-day location. Durin the wars wi the Burmese it wis an important military base for confrontin the Burmese Airmy. As aw these confrontations wur successful the ceety gained the name Chai Nat, which means *place o victory*.

## Seembols
The provincial seal shows the Buddhist wheel, the Dhammajakra. In the backgrund are Khao Phlong muntain an river (Chao Phraya River). The wheel seembolizes the faith o the residents.

The provincial tree is the Bael Fruit Tree (*Aegle marmelos*), an the provincial flouer the Rainbow Shower Tree (*Cassia javanica*).

The slogan o the province is *Venerable Luangpu Suk, Renouned Chao Phraya Dam, Famous Bird Park an Tasty Khao Taengkwa Pomelo*.

## Admeenistrative diveesions

Chainat is subdividit intae 8 destricts (*[[amphoe]]*). The destricts are further subdividit intae 53 subdestricts (*[[tambon]]*) an 474 veelages (*[[muban]]*).

## Cultur
### Festivals

***Straw Bird Fair, Chai Nat’s Product Fair and Red Cross Fair  (งานมหกรรมหุ่นฟางนกนานาชาติ งานของดี และงานกาชาดจังหวัดชัยนาท)***
This annual fair is organized bi makin guid uise o straw, a bi-product in rice farmin. Various species o huge straw birds will come perchin on elaborately decoratit floats durin the straw bird procession an the competition is held in front o Chai Nat Ceety Hall. The event is held annually durin Cheenese New Year in Februar. 

***Chai Nat Pomelo Fair (งานส้มโอชัยนาท)***
Chai Nat is ane o several provinces famous for producin exceptional pomelo. The best kent are o the Khao Taengkwa variety haein a well-roondit shape, smooth skin, thin peel, sweet-crispy taste an a little sour, but no bitter. The fair is held durin late August - early September in front o Chai Nat Ceety Hall an features mony activities such as pomelo contest, varieties o exhibitions bi provincial authorities, an young shoot an pomelo sales.
Saraburi Province

**Saraburi** () is ane o the central provinces (*changwat*) of Thailand. Neighborin provinces are (frae north clockwise) Lopburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Nayok, Pathum Thani an Ayutthaya. Saraburi haes been an important toun syne auncient times. It is believed tae hae been constructit in the year 1548 durin the reign o Keeng Maha Chakkraphat o Ayutthaya as a centre for recruitin troops.

## Geography
Saraburi is locatit on the east side o the Chao Phraya river valley. The east pairt o the province is covered bi heich plains an plateaus, while the wastren pairt is maistly low flat plains.

Two naitional pairks are locatit in the province. Namtok Chet Sao Noi protects 28&nbsp;km² aroond a scenic waterfall. Phra Phutthachai protects the Khao Sam Lan Forest, which consists o hilly landscape an is the source tae several rivers an waterfalls. The heichest elevation is the Khao Khrok, 329&nbsp;m abuin sea level. The 44.57&nbsp;km² wur declared a naitional pairk in 1981.

The toun, as a gateway tae the northeastren region, is anerlie 108&nbsp;km frae Bangkok. It occupies an aurie o 3,576.5 square kilometres.

## History
Saraburi haes been an important ceety syne auncient times. It is assumed tae hae been establisht approximately in 1549 durin the reign o King Maha Chakkraphat o the Kinrick o Ayutthaya. It is assumed that the king haed ordered tae combine some pairts o Lop Buri an Nakhon Nayok thegither an set up Saraburi province wi an aim toae be a centre for mobilizin the citizens durin times o war. Therefore, frae the Ayutthaya period, the story o Saraburi haes uisually relatit tae battles an wars. As for the oreegin o the wird “Saraburi”, it is assumed that due tae its location near a swamp cried “Bueng Nong Ngong”, when the toun wis establisht a combination o “Sa” -a swamp- an “Buri” -a toun- wis suggestit an the toun wis named “Saraburi”.

## Places
The maist important Buddhist temple is Wat Phra Phutthabat, built unner King Songtham in the 17t century, is locatit aroond a Buddha footprint. It is the maist popular pilgrimage site athin central Thailand.

Close tae that temple, Wat Tham Krabok is famous for its drug detoxification. Additionally it wis the last o the Hmong refugee camps in Thailand.

## Seembols
The provincial seal shows the temple Wat Phra Buddha Baat. In the 17t century a hunter foond a puddle o water which leukit like a (owersized) footprint. It wis declared a fuitprint o Buddha, an the temple wis built aroond it. Phra Phutthabat means fuitprint o Buddha.

Provincial tree is *[[Lagerstroemia floribunda]]*, provincial flouer is the Yellow Cotton Tree (*Cochlospermum regium*).

## Admeenistrative diveesions

The province is subdividit intae 13 destricts (*[[amphoe]]*). The destricts are further subdividit intae 111 communes (*[[tambon]]*) an 965 veelages (*[[muban]]*).