U

World of Units

Convert Middle East Dunum to Hectare easily.

From
To
Hectare
Hectare

1 Dunum x 0.1 = 0.1 ha

If you've ever dealt with land measurements in the Middle East, you’ve probably stumbled upon the Dunum. This traditional unit has been around for centuries, but let’s face it, Hectares are the global standard. Whether you're a real estate agent, farmer, or just curious, understanding how to convert Dunum to Hectare saves time and avoids confusion. This guide breaks down everything you need, from quick conversions to the fascinating history behind these units.

Unit definitions

What is a Middle East Dunum (Dunum)?

The Dunum is a traditional land measurement unit used across the Middle East. Its origins trace back to the Ottoman Empire, where it was standardized for agricultural purposes. One Dunum equals 1,000 square meters, though regional variations sometimes exist. You’ll see it frequently in property documents, land surveys, and farming contexts in countries like Jordan and Palestine. Symbol: None official, often written as "Dunum."

What is a Hectare (ha)?

A Hectare is a metric unit of area equal to 10,000 square meters. It’s widely used in agriculture, forestry, and urban planning worldwide. The term comes from the Greek "hekaton" (hundred) and "are" (a metric unit equal to 100 square meters). Symbol: ha.

Conversion formula

The conversion between Dunum and Hectare is straightforward:

  • Dunum to Hectare: Multiply the Dunum value by 0.1.
  • Hectare to Dunum: Multiply the Hectare value by 10.

For example, 5 Dunum equals 0.5 Hectares (5 x 0.1), and 3 Hectares equal 30 Dunum (3 x 10).

Conversion tables

Middle East Dunum to Hectare

DunumHectare
10.1
20.2
50.5
101.0
202.0
505.0
10010.0
20020.0
50050.0
1000100.0

Hectare to Middle East Dunum

HectareDunum
110
220
550
10100
20200
50500
1001000
2002000
5005000
100010000

Historical background

The Dunum’s story starts in the Ottoman Empire, where it was part of a broader system to standardize land taxes. Originally, it represented the amount of land a pair of oxen could plow in a day, which explains its regional variations. After World War I, the British Mandate in Palestine fixed the Dunum at 1,000 square meters to simplify administration, a standard still used today.

The Hectare, on the other hand, emerged from the French Revolution’s push for decimal-based measurements. Adopted globally in the 19th century, it became the go-to unit for large-scale land management. Its simplicity (10,000 square meters) offered a universal language for international trade, which explains why even Middle Eastern countries benifit from converting Dunums to Hectares in global contexts.

Interesting facts

  1. Global vs Local: While the Hectare is used in 95% of the world’s countries, the Dunum remains a cultural staple in the Middle East.
  2. Agricultural Roots: The Dunum’s original definition (oxen-plowed land) highlights its agrarian origins.
  3. Metric Advantage: One Hectare equals exactly 10 Dunums, making conversions effortless.
  4. Real Estate Impact: In Jordan, land prices are often listed per Dunum, but Hectares appear in international listings.
  5. Football Fields: A Hectare is roughly 1.4 times the size of a standard soccer field, helping visualize large areas.

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