Al-Mazra'a al-Qibliya (Arabic: المزرعة القبلية, also transliterated as Al-Mazra‘ah al-Qibliyyah) is a Palestinian town in the Ramallah and al‑Bireh Governorate of the central West Bank, located approximately 10 km north of the city of Ramallah. The name translates from Arabic as “the southern farm,” distinguishing it historically from the nearby village of Al-Mazra'a al‑Sharqiya (“eastern farm”).
Geography
The town lies on a hilly terrain at an elevation of roughly 770 m above sea level. It is bounded by the villages of Al‑Janiya to the east, Al‑Bireh to the south, and the settlement of Mitzpeh Ilan (Israeli‑administered) to the north. The municipal area covers approximately 9,000 dunams (9 km²).
Demographics
According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), Al‑Mazra‘a al‑Qibliya had a population of 12,311 inhabitants in the 2017 census. The population is predominantly Muslim, with a small Christian minority. The town’s residents are primarily engaged in agriculture, commerce, and public sector employment.
History
- Ottoman period: The village appears in 16th‑century Ottoman tax registers as part of the nahiya of al‑Quds, indicating a small agrarian settlement.
- British Mandate: Census data from 1922 recorded 581 residents, all Muslim; by 1945 the population had increased to 960.
- Jordanian rule (1948–1967): Following the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the village came under Jordanian administration.
- Israeli occupation: Since the 1967 Six‑Day War, Al‑Mazra‘a al‑Qibliya has been under Israeli military occupation. Land expropriations for nearby Israeli settlements and the construction of the separation barrier have affected the town’s land use.
- Recent developments: In the 1990s, the Oslo Accords designated the majority of the town’s land as Area B (Palestinian civil control, Israeli security control). The town has experienced expansion of residential neighborhoods and the establishment of municipal services.
Economy and infrastructure
Historically reliant on olive groves and vegetable cultivation, the town’s economy has diversified to include small enterprises, retail shops, and services. A local market (souq) operates weekly, serving surrounding villages. Public facilities include a health clinic, several primary schools, a secondary school, and municipal offices.
Cultural and notable sites
- Mosque of al‑Majid: The main mosque of the town, renovated in the early 2000s.
- Historical ruins: Remnants of ancient agricultural terraces and cisterns are present on the outskirts, indicating long‑term habitation.
- Notable residents: The town is the birthplace of several Palestinian political figures and cultural personalities, though specific names vary across sources.
Administrative status
Al‑Mazra‘a al‑Qibliya functions as a municipality with an elected mayor and council responsible for local governance, urban planning, and provision of basic services. It is a member of the Local Development Committees system within the West Bank.
References
- Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, “Population, Housing and Establishments Census 2017.”
- Government of Jordan, “Annual Statistical Report 1955‑1965.”
- United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), “West Bank: Localities Database.”
Note: All information presented is based on publicly available encyclopedic sources and official statistical data.
