I was fortunate to be invited to tour Jordan for the period 20-26
May 2002. This tour was financed by the Jordan Tourism Board
and led by Tony Escritt, Manager (Educational Programmes) Discover
the World. *
There were 18 UK delegates from the educational world as well as 2 guides
from Jordan (Ali Abu Shakra Jordan Tourism Board, Mazied Ateeq Desert
guide, Wadi Rum)
There are wonderful opportunities to study a variety of geographical
topics such as: desert geomorphology, eco-tourism and economic development
in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone.
I have selected 20 digital images taken on my trip reflecting the
unique character of Jordan. If you want to contact me for more information
then e-mail me at
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Southern Jordan. This freight line mainly carries phosphates
linking with the southern port of Aqaba. The railway is 677 long and
is called the Hijaz railway.
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View of Aqaba (foreground) and Eilat (background). The countries
of Jordan and Israel both share a small coastline along the Red Sea.
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Scuba diving: the coral reef south of Aqaba provides an
opportunity for serious diving. Aqaba has over 4,300 hotel beds
available for tourists.
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Coral reef near Aqaba. Glass-bottomed boats can be hired locally
to view the reef.
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Shallalleh is an area of informal housing on
the edge of Amman. This image shows young children greeting our
party.
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Camels being transported in a pickup along the Desert Highway,
the modern link between Aqaba and Amman.
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Camels are still an important means of
transport in difficult terrain. Here at Wadi Rum they are used for
tourist rides.
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Rum village. Wadi Rum has some very impressive desert scenery. The
sandstone jebels (mountains) dominate the village of Rum with eroded
valley floors dating back 50 million years.
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Wadi Rum is a popular tourist destination but there are strict
controls. The area is now under the management of the RSCN (Royal
Society for the Conservation of Nature).
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4WD vehicles can be rented to access more remote
desert scenery.
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Mazied Ateeq (desert guide Wadi Rum ) shows traditional Bedouin
hospitality by serving Arabic tea.
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An impressive rock arch naturally carved into the landscape of Wadi
Rum.
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Petra, the ancient capital of the Nabataeans is an important tourist
site. This image of the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), probably the most
photographed site in Jordan, was built between 100 BC to 200 AD. The
nearby village of Wadi Mousa is expanding its hotel accommodation.
The September 11th attacks in New York have greatly
reduced the number of overseas tourists travelling to the area. |
Dana nature Reserve (320sq km) was taken over by the RSCN (Royal
Society for the Conservation of Nature) in 1993. It is in an area of
western Jordan where there is a diverse ecosystem of about 600
species of plants, 200 birds and 33 animals. Eco-tourism is being
promoted in an attempt to protect locals as well as provide jobs for
locals.
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Dana village is mainly unspoilt. Locals still farm, irrigating
fields from nearby streams. Income from tourism has helped the
village. Inhabitants make local crafts sold in the Dana Nature Shop.
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A guide explains some of the features of the Dana ecosystem. About
40 locals are employed directly or indirectly with income from
tourism.
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Empty road tankers on route back to Iraq. Jordan has a desert
boundary with Iraq. Since the cutting of an oil pipeline with Iraq,
Jordan buys most of its oil from Iraq through the use of road
tankers.
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Amman is the capital, situated in northern Jordan. It has grown
rapidly from village size to 1.7 million population in the last 100
years. In 1950 it was declared the capital of the Hashemite kingdom.
This modern city now sprawls over a large area. |
The Amman Baccalaureate School provides high educational standards
for Jordan's elite.
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 In
1994 Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty which aimed for better
economic and security co-operation. However the " Palestinian
question " is still contentious in Jordan and here a billboard
highlights the issue. |
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