JORDAN - THE AMAZING HIDDEN OASIS
Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan in Western Asia. It borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing control of the Dead Sea. Jordan's only port is at its south-western tip, at the Gulf of Aqaba, which is shared with Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Much of Jordan is covered by the Arabian Desert. However, the north-western part of Jordan is part of the Fertile Crescent.
Capital: AmmanPopulation: July 2010 estimate - 6,407,085
Area: 92,300 km2
Official language: ArabicSpoken languages: Arabic, English, French, Circassian,
Levantine Arabic, Chechen,
Turkish
Stand on Mt Nebo and survey the land promised to Moses; unwrap a scarf or two at Mukawir, where Salome cast a spell over men in perpetuity; float in the Dead Sea, beside a pillar of salt, reputed to be Lot's disobedient wife; go just about anywhere in Jordan and you'll find every stone bares a tale, and those of Madaba's legendary mosaics tell more tales than most.
Once an important trading centre of the Roman Empire, and straddling the ancient Holy Land of the world's three great monotheistic religions, Jordan is a tiny desert kingdom wrapped in history.
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| Beach on the Dead Sea in Amman |
Amman, the capital of Jordan, is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world; and despite being essentially a product of the 20th century, it still retains its old world charm.
In modern, culturally diverse Amman, it isn't uncommon to see luxury hotels tower over traditional coffee shops where old men gather to play backgammon.  |
| King Abdullah Mosque in Amman |
Travellers looking to discover old Arabia in Amman will find the souks and bazaars intriguing. There you can find traditional stores that sell handcrafted coffee cups and plates, although the souks are worth visiting for the atmosphere alone.
In spite of media reports, Amman is one of the safest and friendliest cities in the Middle East. Its proximity to the Palestinian territories and Iraq has often put the city in the media spotlight, but the conflicts have served to diversify the capital's population.
Petra, the jewel in the crown of Jordan's antiquities, is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The magnificent rock-hewn city of the Nabateans has been a favourite destination for Europeans since the 19th century, and at sunset on a winter's day, when the rose-pink city catches alight, it is easy to see why this enchanting place has charmed generations of visitors.
About people in Jordan:
"Jordanians are a passionate and proud people and the country truly welcomes visitors with open arms." 
One of the stone houses in Petra ----
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| Jordan River |
Would it surprise you to know Jordan's full of flowers?
And that's not the only unexpected delight this little country has up its sleeve. As well as the magnificent ancient city of Petra, you've got Roman ruins, desert castles and effortless floating in the Dead Sea.
And that's not the only unexpected delight this little country has up its sleeve. As well as the magnificent ancient city of Petra, you've got Roman ruins, desert castles and effortless floating in the Dead Sea.
