Photo Essay: In the Footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia

Jordan sits between Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Israel in the Midle East. Much of the country, especially to the East and South is arid desert, the West of the country contains higher more arable land before dropping into the Northern end of the Great Rift Valley - the area often referred to as the "cradle of civilisation" - and of course, the Dead Sea.

Wadi Rum, located in the Aqaba region in the South of the country is a huge nature reserve consisting of arid desert and many sandstone rocks towering out of the desert floor, some to over 1,750m. Apart from the beauty of the natural landscape which can be experienced by hiking around the area, the rocks and canyons make it a popular haunt for climbers. The area is most famous for its links to Lawrence of Arabia. It's the place where Prince Faisal Bin Hussein and T.E. Lawrence based their headquarters during the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans in World War 1, and much of the film starring Peter O'Toole was filmed in the area.

It's also long been home to the nomadic Nabateans and carvings and "graffiti", some from over 4000 years ago, can still be found on the outcrops of rock in the area. Local Nabatean tribes still live in the area and hikers and climbers can experience true nomadic culture by camping within the reserve in authentic Bedouin goat's hair tents dotted throughout the area.