On May 25, the independence of Jordan is remembered, which in 1946 -76 years ago- freed itself from British rule. Officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, it is a country known for its world heritage, its desert landscape and its friendly and hospitable people who welcome visitors from all over the world and hundreds of refugees.
Located on the Arabian Peninsula, Jordan is a peaceful nation in an area marked by armed conflict, a quality that, together with its rich history and fervent faith, makes it a very interesting destination for tourists.
It has a population of approximately 10 million inhabitants, more than 98% of Arab origin, so its official language is Arabic, and more than 90% is Islamic. Amman is its capital and most populous city as well as a commercial, industrial and administrative center. Palestinians, Iraqis and Syrians are some of the communities that currently form part of the Jordanian population.
Over the years, different peoples and ethnic groups have passed through the territory of Jordan, such as the Hittites, Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Romans and Turks, groups that have left their legacy which can be perceived to this day in the culture of Jordan. Jordanians and in different corners of the country.
Jordan boasts several sites that are part of the World Heritage of Humanity. The ancient Nabataean city of Petra, located between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, is one of them and is considered the most appreciated attraction in the country; To visit it and appreciate all its monuments, at least two days are necessary. The Quseir Amra Palace, the Um er-Rasas archaeological site and the Wadi Rum Protected Area are other significant sites in the kingdom.
Although it is mostly a desert country, it also has Mediterranean forest biomes and beautiful grasslands in the west. It has six nature reserves: Dana Biosphere Reserve, Wadi Mujib, Ajlun Forest Reserve, Dibeen Forest Reserve, Azraq Wetland and Shaumari Reserve. The main activities that visitors do in these places are cycling, hiking and camel or horseback riding.
The best time of year to visit this fantastic country and enjoy all its charm is from mid-March to the end of April, since it is not too hot, it does not rain anymore and you can see different types of flowers that give color to the landscapes. ; or, from late September to mid-October, allowing for dry but not too hot weather.
But Jordan not only has ancient monuments and landscapes to delight its visitors, it also has intangible heritage of great value to its population such as the “As-Samer”, an artistic expression consisting essentially of dances and songs that is performed in its celebrations. . Likewise, the Bedu, nomadic and sedentary communities that live in the southern part of Jordan until today, and Arabic calligraphy and the cultivation and exploitation of the date palm, which they share with other Arab countries.
Without a doubt, Jordan is a country of great wealth, both material and immaterial, that should be known by anyone who loves to travel, learn and get to know other cultures, another way of living.
