Jordan is located in the Middle East in the southern part of the Levant region, which is also known as a cradle of civilization. The oldest evidence of human settlement dates back around 10,000 years. Throughout its history, the country has been under many powerful rulers, including the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks and Romans. Probably in the 4th century BC, the Arab nomadic people of the Nabataeans founded the city of Petra. The Islamic conquest began with the historic Battle of Yarmuk in 636, in which the Muslim Arabs of the first caliphate defeated the Byzantine Empire, putting an end to centuries of Roman rule in the eastern Mediterranean. Later, the Crusades reached the country, and for about 400 years it was part of the Ottoman Empire (1517–1918). The British-backed Arab Revolt finally overthrew the Ottomans. After World War I, the British League of Nations Mandate for Palestine was created in 1920. The Emirate of Transjordan was established in 1921 under the Hashemite dynasty and gained its independence as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1946.
Facts
- Capital and largest city: Amman
- Official language: Arabic
- Area: 89,342 km² (34,495 sq mi)
- Population: 11,174,024 (2024 estimate)
- Independence from the United Kingdom: 25th May 1946 (recognized)
Valley of the Moon – World Heritage Site
While most of the country's major cities are located in the northwest along the eponymous Jordan River, the southeast is characterized by desert and is far less densely populated. However, the rugged nature is attractive to rock climbers, hikers and Hollywood filmmakers and also has cultural significance. For example, Wadi Rum near Aqaba is known for its impressive granite and sandstone formations with prehistoric rock carvings and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. Also known as the "Valley of the Moon," it is not only one of the most visited tourist destinations, but has also served as the backdrop for many successful film productions, including Dune, The Martian, Prometheus and several Star Wars films.
The lowest lake in the world
Jordan's western border is home to a unique geographical feature: the Dead Sea. The Jordan River separates the country from Israel and runs from the Hermon Mountains in the Lebanese-Syrian border region to the Dead Sea. South of the great lake, the Jordan Rift Valley merges into the Arabah Depression, which ultimately ends in the Red Sea, but does not carry water due to its higher elevation. The Dead Sea is therefore endorheic, meaning that it has no outlet. Its surface is 430.5 m (1,412 ft) below sea level, and its deepest point is 728 m (2,388 ft) below sea level. It is the lowest lake in the world, and its shore is the lowest point on the earth's surface. The Dead Sea is known for its extremely high salt content, which, at over 30%, is almost ten times higher than in the oceans. Due to the resulting higher density of the water, people cannot sink while swimming. Another consequence of the high salt content is the absence of fish or other animals, which is how the lake got its name.
Baptism site of Jesus
Although Sunni Muslims make up by far the largest group of Jordan's population at over 95%, many places in the country are also important pilgrimage sites for Christians because of their biblical references. The site of "al-Maghtas" (Arabic for "baptism") on the east bank of the Jordan River is considered to be the place where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist. The Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. Due to other religious traditions, such as the crossing of the Jordan by the Israelites under Joshua, the river also has great significance in Judaism. To date, five sites in Jordan have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Desert castles and Crusader fortresses
Interesting testimonies to the early Islamic period are the so-called desert castles or "qasrs", most of which were built during the Umayyad dynasty between 650 and 750 AD in eastern Jordan. Although they look like military buildings, they seem to have served more as resting places for caravans or as meeting places for local Bedouin leaders. However, their purpose is disputed by scholars. In addition, some fortresses from the time of the Crusades have been preserved in Jordan, such as Montreal Castle or Ajloun Castle, which was built in 1184 under Sultan Saladin, shortly before he conquered Jerusalem. In response, the Pope called for the famous Third Crusade to the Holy Land, which was led by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and King Richard the Lionheart.
