Tourism in Jordan

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan borders present day countries Saudi Arabia, Syria, Israel, West Bank, Iraq, and Egypt via the Red Sea. Jordan is rich with a wide range of tourist attractions. Tourism is Jordan's most promising sector of the economy. The main problem with tourism in Jordan is the misconception that Jordan is unsafe as well as all of the region. Jordan offers world-class facilities and continues to develop its tourism infrastructure. Tourism accounts for a large part of Jordan's economy. Jordanian hospitality is well noted by its rash of western tourists.

In addition to its historical sites, Jordan offers the following tourist attractions:

#Health tourism is becoming very popular in Jordan. Jordan offers world-class hospitals to Jordanians and foreigners alike. Many of the recipients of Jordanian hospitals are Palestinian and Iraqi refugees. Syrians, Yemenis, and South East Asians working in Jordan are common visitors.
#Education tourism is also very popular in Jordan. Jordan's excellent education program is a favorite for westerners studying Arabic in the Middle East. Also, those who can afford it study in Jordan's European and American universities
#Adventurers staying in Jordan can also rock-climb in Jordan's Wadi Rum and go for hikes in Jordan's northern mountainous region. Scuba divers can visit Aqaba's magnificent coral reefs.
#Pop-culture tourism is also evident in Jordan because many western films have been filmed in Jordan
#Shopping tourism is popular in Amman, Irbid, and Aqaba.
#Pilgrimages are growing in Jordan. Mount Nebo and the Mosaic Map in Madaba are popular to Christian tourists. The Jordan River and the Dead Sea are also very popular. The numerous medieval mosques and churches are popular destinations for pilgrims.

The most frequented location in Jordan is the ancient Nabataeans city of Petra. Petra, a complete city carved in a mountain, is recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Leisure tourism in the Dead Sea area offer world-class spas to visitors. Theuraptic tourism is an increasingly important sctor of the Jordanian tourism industry.

Tourism is a very important sector of the Jordanian economy. More than 3 million tourist visited Jordan in 2007. Its major tourist activities include visiting ancient sites and unspoilt natural locations, as well as observing cultural and religious sites and traditions. The best known attractions include:

Main tourist sites

Ancient sites

* Petra in Ma'an, the home of Nabateans, is a complete city carved in a mountain. The rocks are colorful, mostly pink, and the entrance to the ancient city is a 1.25km narrow crack in the mountain - called the Siq. In the city are various structures, all (except 2) are carved into rock, including the al Khazneh - otherwise known as the Treasury - which is now nominated by the New Seven Wonders organization to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Other major sites of interest in Petra include the Monastery, the Roman theater, the Royal Tombs, the High Place of Sacrifice. Petra was rediscovered for the western world by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812.

* Umm Qais, a town located on the site of the ruined Hellenistic-Roman city of Gadara.

* Ajlun, famous for the Islamic al-Rabadh Castle.

* Jerash, famous for its its ancient Roman architecture, including the colonnaded streets, arches, Roman theatres, and the Oval Plaza.

* Amman contains the Roman theater, in addition to several museums, where one may find remains of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

* Al Karak contains an important castle from the times of Salah al-Din, known as Al-Karak Castle.

Religious tourist sites

* Madaba is well known for its mosaics, as well as important religious sites such as:
**The Madaba Map.
**The River Jordan, which is the river where Jesus Christ was baptised, by John the Baptist.
**Mount Nebo, where Moses was said to have gone to get a view of the Promised Land before he died.
**The world's oldest church was recently unearthed in Mafraq.

Seaside sites

* The Dead Sea - It is the lowest point on earth, 402 meters below sea level, [ [http://ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca/radar/spaceborne/radarsat1/action/int/jor/index_e.php The Dead Sea] , Natural Resources Canada] and becomes 1 meter lower each year. [ [http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=6673668 Dead Sea's Water Level Receding Fast] , National Public Radio] It is located near River Jordan.
* Aqaba is a town on the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba with numerous shopping centers, resorts, hotels and access to water sports.

Other

* Wadi Rum is a desert full of mountains and hills located south of Jordan. It is popular for its sights in addition to a variety of sports that are practiced there, such as rock-climbing. It is also known for its connection to Lawrence of Arabia.

* Amman is a very modern city known for its shopping centers, hotels and an ancient Roman amphitheatre.

* Mahis with its religious sites.
* Al-Omwia's Palace
* shopping malls are spread allover Amman like mecca mall , city mall , el-swefia aveneu ,albaraka mall .......................

See also

* Tourism in Amman
* Jordan

Notes and references

External links

; Jordan Tourism Information
* [http://www.surfjo.com/viewlistings.aspx?t=cat&n=Tourism Jordan Tourism and Guide Companies]
* [http://www.visitjordan.com Jordan Tourism Board]
* [http://www.seejordan.org Jordan Tourism Board North America]
* [http://www.tourism.jo/Home/index.htm Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities]
* [http://ishoparoundtheworld.com/jordan/destination_jordan.html Impact Guides]
* [http://www.petratours.com The Petra Travel & Tourism Company, an inbound and outbound tour Operator and DMC in Amman]
* [http://www.select.jo Jordan Select Tours, an inbound tour Operator and DMC based in Amman]
* [http://www.jdtours.com Jordan Direct Tours, Jordan's leading independent tour operator]