Place to see: Amman, Jordan, Amman, Jordan

About this place:

Amman (Arabic عمان ʿAmmān), is the capital city of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, a city of 2,125,400 inhabitants (2005 estimate), and the administrative capital and commercial center of Jordan.

Amman is located in a hilly area of north-western Jordan. The city was originally built on seven hills, but it now spans over an area of nineteen hills. Because of the cooling effects of its location on a plateau (a flat area of land), Amman enjoys four seasons of excellent weather as compared to other places in the region.

Amman is home to many diverse religious sects making up the two primary religions of Jordan, Islam and Christianity. Numerous mosques and churches dot the capital. The most famous mosque of Amman is the King Abduallah I Mosque which can house almost 3,000 people.

Amman is conveniently located for many Jordanian attractions favored by tourists. It is a mere 45 minute trip by car to several interesting locations:

* The Baptism Site (Al-Maghtas in Arabic) on the River Jordan where Jesus is believed to have been baptized by John the Baptist

* Mount Nebo where, according to the Bible, Moses is supposed to have died

* The unique ultra saline waters of the Dead Sea, home to many first-rate resorts

* Jerash, a city of the Decapolis and considered one of the most important and best preserved Roman cities in the Near East

* The Hellenistic ruin of Qasr al Abd, in the near-by valley of Wadi Seer

* Petra, halfway between Amman and Aqaba, is one of the most breathtaking places in the world — see also about Petra

* The beaches at Aqaba, a shipping port and Jordan's only access to the Red Sea. Just over three hours from Amman by car, the primarily industrial character of the town is mitigated by the fact that it is set between sprawling mountain ranges and boasts some of the finest coral reefs in the region.

* The unique geological rock formations of Wadi Rum. The colorful rocks are best viewed at sunset and located a half hour away from Petra. Wadi Rum has connections with T.E. Lawrence; consequently the movie Lawrence of Arabia filmed there for a number of scenes.