NATURAL SITES

The most chronologically advanced sites in Jordan are the Natural sites. The ones we will focus on are the Dead Sea, Wadi Rum, the King's Highway, Aqaba and Wadi Dana.

Arguably the most famous natural site in Jordan is the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea has become a popular resort for both tourists and local Jordanians alike. Not only is the Dead Sea the lowest point on earth but it is also the most saline body of water on the earth. The added Salinity increases buoyancy, which in turn makes it possible to read or write while floating in the water. While visiting the Dead Sea area individuals often take mineral rich mud baths or visit the few hot springs that are located nearby which are also extremely therapeutic.

An equally well known natural site in Jordan is Wadi Rum (pronounced Room). Wadi Rum was created form the same plate shifts that created the Great Rift Valley as well as Wadi Arba and The Jordan River Valley. Unlike most valleys Wadi Rum is unique in part because the flat valley floor doesn't taper into foothills and eventually mountains; the surrounding mountains jut abruptly from the valley floor. There in lies the treat for visitors. The mountains are made up of several different types of vivid and varied colors of rock as well as spectacular rock formations.

If you enjoy long beautiful drives then the Kings highway is just for you. A trading rout for centuries the current highway mirrors that of old. The Kings Highway runs from Amman to Petra and beyond. Although the Desert Highway is faster, taking the Kings Highway will result in a number of striking scenes as the highway traverses a number of large Wadis.

On the surface the Gulf of Aqaba appears to be like any water body the world over. To find the true value of the natural beauty of Aqaba one must go below the surface. The variety of colors and species in the coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba astound scuba divers throughout the world.

The least well known, but nevertheless a fabulous natural site, is Wadi Dana (pronounced Donna). Situated in the Dana game reserve, which protects a wide number of animals, the wadi itself is gorgeous. Unlike Wadi Rum the views of Wadi Dana are best obtained from above the valley itself because of the rugged interior and lack of access to the wadi itself.