Jordan is home to a wealth of archaeological sites, nature reserves, biblical points of interest, ancient ruins and peaceful deserts. There is no mistaking the fact that Jordan is a kingdom full of history and culture.
From the moment you arrive, you get a sense of its rich heritage; all around are remnants of ancient civilizations long since passed, yet they still remain, stamped into the very fabric of this amazing kingdom and etched into the soul of the people who live here.
Amman is a sprawling city spread over 19 hills, the modern – as well as the ancient – capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Known as Rabbath-Ammon during the Iron Age and later as Philadelphia, the ancient city that was once part of the Decapolis league, now boasts a population of around 2.3 million people.
The first city to encounter is Madaba, "the City of Mosaics".
The city, best known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, is home to the famous 6th century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. With two million pieces of colored stone, the map depicts hills and valleys, villages and towns as far as the Nile Delta.
Lost for more than a millennium, the red rose city of Petra, also a new seven wonder of the world was built 2,000 years ago by nomadic Bedouins.
Located approximately three hours south of Amman, this desert city, situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, was an important crossroads among Arabia, Egypt and Syria–Phoenicia. Petra is famous for its magnificent architecture – a half man-made and half carved into the rock city with a highly advanced water conduit system.
Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, Petra is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site that enchants visitors from all corners of the globe.
The country also has high adventures such as taking a hot air balloon ride over Wadi Rum or camping on its Mars-like terrain; to floating in the Dead Sea or hiking in the oldest city of the world. It is a traveler's paradise with warm and welcoming people, history, nature and a paradise for foodies.
Getting a visa while travelling abroad is one of the most important and essential parts of planning your trip. While it can be quite stressful to get a visa to some countries, you’ll be glad to know that Jordan welcomes Indians with a visa on arrival.
So, start your love affair with timeless Jordan now.
For more information, get in touch with Jordan Tourism.
