Early Ottoman rule

In the 1596- daftar, the Sanjak of Nablus contained the following subdivisions and villages/towns:

Later Ottoman rule

In the 19th century, it consisted of nearly 113 towns and villages, in addition to the city of Nablus. From the 17th to the early 20th century it maintained its autonomy of Ottoman rule, mostly due to the mountainous terrain and Nablus's strategic location between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. The rulers of the district composed of several Arab families, some originating from northern Syrian cities, some from Balqa, in modern-day Jordan, and others were indigenous to Nablus. The primary rural noble families were the Tuqan, Jarrar, Abd al-Hadi, Jayyusi, Nimr, Rayyan, Qasim, At'ut, al-Hajj Muhammad, Ghazi and Jaradat.^[18]

On Major R Huber's 1899 map of the Ottoman Empire, Sandjak Nablouz comprised four cazas ("subdistricts"): Nablouz; Djénin; Beni Saâb with the centre in Toul Karem; and Djemaïn with the centre in Akrabé. The four cazas were further subdivided into nine nahiés, totalling 58 villages.

The peripheral hinterland of Nablus followed the provincial centre, led by a closely knit web of economic, social and political relations between Nablus’ urban notables and the city’s surroundings. With the help of rural trading partners, these urban notables established trading monopolies that transformed Jabal Nablus’ autarkic economy into an export-driven market, shipping vast quantities of cash crops and finished goods to off-shore markets. Increasing demand for these commodities in the Ottoman Empire’s urban centres and in Europe spurred demographic growth and settlement expansion in the lowlands surrounding Jabal Nablus.^[19]

Indeed, the District of Nablus was economically active in growing olives which they used to produce olive oil, olive wood baskets and Nabulsi soap. Cotton was also a major cash crop. Most economic activity was based in Nablus, however the surrounding towns and villages supplied the crude product. The ruling families completely controlled all production soap and olive oil and the exporting of cotton, while the peasantry served as the farmers, laborers and were forced to pay taxes to the families. In return, the ruling families protected the villages and met municipal needs.^[18]

During the British Mandate, the Nablus District consisted of all of the present-day Nablus Governorate, southern portions of the Qalqilya Governorate, the entire Tubas Governorate, northern portions of the Salfit Governorate and the northern Jericho Governorate.