Jordan — country of Petra, Dead Sea and Wadi Rum desert. 11 million inhabitants, 6 UNESCO sites.
- Petra — pink rock city Capital of Nabataeans (4th c. BC - 2nd c. AD). UNESCO + 7 new wonders of the world (2007). Al-Khazneh: 40 m tall facade carved in sandstone.
- Wadi Rum — 'Martian' desert UNESCO. Lawrence of Arabia filmed here. Plus 'The Martian' (2015), 'Star Wars', 'Dune' (2021). Bedouin camps under the stars.
- Jordan borders Israel through the Dead Sea Common coastline. Spa hotels on both sides. Salt crystal 30% (vs Atlantic 3.5%).
- Jordan has 6 UNESCO sites Petra, Wadi Rum, Quseir Amra (desert castle), Um er-Rasas (Byzantine mosaics), Magtas (Jesus's baptism in Jordan), As-Salt.
- Official language: Arabic Plus widespread English (second after Hebrew in the region). 95% of Jordanians are Sunni Muslims.
- Jordan is the only fully democratic Arab country Constitutional monarchy with parliament. King Abdullah II (since 1999).
- Magtas — site of Jesus's baptism On Jordanian side of Jordan River. UNESCO 2015. Christian pilgrimage.
- Jordan has 60% Palestinian refugees After 1948 + 1967 wars. Plus 1.5 mn Syrians since 2011. Widest victim of regional conflicts.
- Aqaba — Jordan's only sea 27 km of Red Sea coast. Diving + coral reefs. Adjacent to Egypt (Sinai), Israel (Eilat), Saudi Arabia.
- Bedouin desert tents have lived in Jordan for 2000 years Traditionally camel + goat herders. Today 40,000 Bedouins. Tradition: guest = honor, tea 3×.
Sources: Department of Statistics Jordan, Jordan Tourism Board, UNESCO World Heritage.