TOURISM IN JORDAN

Amman

Amman, the capital of Jordan, is the country’s political, cultural and commercial center. Nearly half of Jordan’s population is concentrated in the Amman area. Amman is considered one of the richest and most Western-oriented cities in the Middle East. Visitors also find that Amman provides the perfect blend of traditionalism and modernity. On the one hand, Amman is an ancient city, offering various sites of historical interest to tourists, as well as traditional coffee shops, markets and fruit vendors. On the other hand, Amman also boasts modern hotels, restaurants, nightlife and sports clubs, attracting tourists from all over the region, especially during the summer months.

Petra

The ancient archaeological city of Petra, once the capital of a vast trading empire, is Jordan’s most valuable treasure and most visited tourist attraction. Petra was carved into sheer rock face by the Nabataeans 2000 years ago. Historically, Petra was an important junction for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome. In around 106 AD, the Nabataean Kingdom, with its capital at Petra, was absorbed into the Roman Empire, at which point the city entered a golden age of culture and sophistication. Petra was a hidden treasure for centuries until it was rediscovered and introduced to the West by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

Jerash

Jerash, with its fascinating ruins, is considered one of the best preserved Roman cities in the world. Jerash was conquered by the Romans in 63 BC and began to flourish under Roman rule. Paved and colonnaded streets were built, as well as temples, theaters, public squares, baths, fountains, and roads which encouraged trade to Jerash. Jerash has been excavated and restored over the past several decades, revealing a perfect example of what a Roman city looked like.

Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is the largest natural spa on earth. It is a salt lake bordering Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west. The Dead Sea sits in the Jordan Rift Valley, at over 400 meters below sea level, and is the lowest point on earth. The Dead Sea receives a number of incoming rivers, primarily the River Jordan. Its name has to do with the fact that it is one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water, which makes for an environment in which animals and fish cannot live. The Dead Sea is extremely dense, making it possible to float. The salts and minerals found in the Dead Sea also have healing effects on the skin. The Dead Sea attracts hundreds of tourists each year for this purpose.

Karak

Karak, an ancient Crusader stronghold, is known for its famous castle, which lies inside the walls of the old city. The Crusaders built Karak Castle in approximately twenty years. Once its construction was finalized in 1161, it became the residence of the lord of Transjordan, by then the most important fief of the Crusader Kingdom. Karak’s rich history, even in the years after the Crusaders, attracts tourists from across the world.

Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon, is cut into sandstone and granite rock. The highest elevation in Wadi Rum is Mount Um Dami, sitting at over 1,800 meters above sea level. Wadi Rum has been inhabited by many cultures since prehistoric times, including the Nabataeans. Many of these cultures left their marks in the form of rock paintings and temples. Historically, Wadi Rum is known for being the place where British officer T.E. Lawrence based his operations during the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans in World War I. Today, Wadi Rum is home to several Bedouin tribes who still maintain their semi–nomadic lifestyle and traditions. The Bedouins are known for their hospitality, and will often welcome tourists for coffee, food, music, and sometimes even shelter while they are visiting.