One of the youngest countries in the Arabian Peninsula is Jordan. While Jordan is considered a relatively new country in the Middle East, it is home to evidence of the earliest civilizations. Featuring locations mentioned early in the Bible and other historical texts, this country has been a center for developed civilizations for thousands of years. While there is the existence of civilization evidence, there is further proof of the earliest humans migrating through Jordan over 10,000 years ago. The rich history of Jordan’s land may not have caused the country to be influential, but the people that have lived there for centuries have.
Many political issues have arisen between Jordan and the surrounding countries regarding land ownership and religious history. Surrounded by five other countries, there have been many disputes throughout history regarding land rights. While these hardships are faced by the country, the Jordanian government works to ensure safety and security for the people by maintaining one of the most liberal governments in the Middle East.
Jordan Facts
1. Some of The Most Ancient Buildings Are Found in Jordan
The long history of peoples traveling through and settling in the land of Jordan has led to a variety of buildings occupying the land of Jordan. These buildings have been built and preserved for thousands of years. While Jordan is a relatively small country, there is a lot of open space. The Cities of Jordan are very condensed, making much of the countryside wide open. This is where many of the ancient buildings and cities can be found. The absence of big cities allows the government and archeologists the ability to research and protect these centuries-old structures, a fun fact about Jordan. While many of the ancient monuments are common in the countryside, there are still some to be found in the largest cities.
2 You can Float Endlessly in the Dead Sea
One of the major geographical features of Jordan is the coastline on the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is famous for being one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. Because of this trait, it is difficult to sink in the water. The salty water keeps swimmers afloat, even if the waters are extremely deep. It is nearly impossible for people or boats to stay underwater for too long in the Dead Sea.
3. Jordan is Home to One of the Seven Wonders of the World
The ancient structure carved into the side of a mountain is one of the leading sites for tourism in Jordan. Petra is one of the newest wonders of the world, an interesting fact about Jordan. This location was once the capital of an ancient Middle Eastern kingdom. The importance of this structure is shown through the intricate design and numerous riches uncovered within the building. Construction of this site is dated to over 2000 years ago, and the building is preserved nearly perfectly today.
Petra may be one of the oldest preserved buildings in Jordan, but there is evidence that people lived in the area surrounding the site for over 10,000 years. While this site has been present in Jordan for this long period, researchers and archeologists did not discover Petra until around 300 years ago.
4. The Small Country Size Makes It Easy to Travel Domestically
Jordan is one of the smallest Middle Eastern Countries. Due to its small size, traveling via car is very quick. Unlike other countries that may require air travel to get around quickly, driving end-to-end in Jordan can take only a matter of a few hours. It is said that drivers can travel from Northern to Southern Jordan in around three hours. There are even walking tours that challenge explorers with a 40-day tour that takes trails around Jordan. Only walking to cover the entire distance of Jordan in 40 days is very short. In comparison, it could take over 300 days to walk across the United States.
5. Middle Eastern Cuisine Stems from This Country
Jordan is known to have some of the most delicious variations of food in the world. Many countries border Jordan, so the people take influence from all of their neighbors when cooking. One of the most popular foods in Jordan is hummus, which is known to be one of the locations to access the tastiest hummus. Olive trees are also a native plant species in Jordan, making it a large exporter of delicious and fresh olives to the entire world. Jordanians take the traditional Middle Eastern dishes and add their local twists. An interesting fact about Jordan is that this has made this country one of the most popular destinations for food tourism in the Middle East.
6. Jordan is a Popular Filming Destination
Many of Hollywood’s most famous movies that feature some scenes of ancient beauty or desert locations use Jordan’s landscapes for filming. Some of the countryside in Jordan is untouched by humans, providing wide-open spaces that are perfect for large scale movie shoots. Even if the movie’s setting is not in Jordan, filmmakers use the natural wonders of Jordan to provide the perfect scenery for their films. Take a look at some classic movies and research if they were filmed in Jordan, because it is most likely scenes were caputured in the beautiful country.
7. If Invited for a Meal, You Must Decline the Offer
Jordanian culture has a particular practice that if someone invites you to their home for coffee, tea, or a meal, the person must decline the invitation multiple times before accepting. It is a way of showing thanks and gratitude for the invitation to one’s home, a fun fact about Jordan. Just to be safe, make sure to decline the offer up to three times before accepting.
Conclusion:
Jordan is the center of traditional Middle Eastern history and values but is a relatively new country compared to its neighbors. The liberal society of Jordan is a unique trait in this area of the world and promotes a unique culture within the country. Some of the first people and civilizations on Earth are found in the lands of Jordan, providing the country with some of the most ancient history.
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