DOCSLIB.ORG

King's Highway اﻟطرﯾق اﻟﻣﻟوﮐﻲ

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
King's Highway اﻟطرﯾق اﻟﻣﻟوﮐﻲ © Lonely Planet Publications 182 King’s Highway ﺍﻟﻄﺮﻳﻖ ﺍﻟﻤﻠﻮﻛﻲ There is a point on the King’s Highway, just before you reach the lip of the great Wadi Mujib, where the landscape could best be described as quintessentially Jordanian. Neat olive groves wrap around the contours of the gently undulating hills; sheep, driven in liquid streams of good-natured bleating, pour through the rural network of paths; a village, with washing flapping outside the flat-roofed, ochre-coloured houses, sleeps through the hottest part of the day. Only the lizards disturb the peace as they rustle through the fallen masonry of antiquity, watched by pied wagtails that bob over a mosaic of parched earth. There is another point on the King’s Highway, just after the great yawning gap of Wadi Mujib, where the avenues of poplars, the prickly pear–fences and the sleepy market towns resume. It’s as if they form part of a seamless continuum along the surface of the upper pla- teau, uninterrupted by the great hiatus that divides the northern highway from the south. There is surely no better metaphor for the continuity and tenacity of human life along this ancient highway. The highway has for the past 3000 years been traversed by the Israelites en route to the Promised Land; by Nabataeans to and from their sacred city at Petra; by Christian faithful on pilgrimage to Moses’ memorial at Mt Nebo; by Crusaders to their castle fortifications; and by Muslim pilgrims heading to and from Mecca. Travel the road today, with all its difficulties, and you follow in the path of human beliefs, hopes and dreams. HIGHLIGHTS Piece together early Christian history in the mosaics of Madaba ( p184 ) and visit a modern workshop to see how they were Mt made Nebo Survey the Promised Land from Moses’ Madaba memorial at Mt Nebo ( p193 ): the prom- ised land that took almost 2000 years to Mukawir deliver and cost the region dearly Dead Sea Dance with Salome’s ghost at Mukawir ( p195 ), before unveiling the spot where a reluctant Herod beheaded John the Baptist Karak Listen to the thunder of ghostly hooves at Karak castle ( p201 ) and Shobak castle ( p211 ), Jordan’s most impressive Crusader castles Dana Nature Find peace (and ibex if you’re lucky) at Reserve Dana Nature Reserve ( p205 ), on a hike from the temperate high-ground to the Shobak desert landscape of Wadi Araba KING’S HIGHWAY lonelyplanet.com KING’S HIGHWAY •• Madaba 183 Getting Around KING'S 0 30 km Of Jordan’s three highways running north HIGHWAY 0 20 miles to south, the King’s Highway is by far the 65 15 West Bank Jo Wadi r as-Seer dan AMMAN most interesting, with a host of historical King Hussein/ Al-Karama 35 25 Allenby Shuneh al- attractions lying on the road or nearby Bridge River Janubiyyeh Na'ur 15 Al- (see p44 for the history of this ancient Jericho Muwaqqar 40 Ayoun ('Ain) Musa Bethany-Beyond 40 thoroughfare). The highway connects the the-Jordan Hesban Mt Nebo mosaic town of Madaba to the pink city Fasaliyya Suweimeh Khirbet Al-Fiha of Petra via Crusader castles, Roman forts, Mukhayyat Queen Alia Wadi Jadid Madaba International Airport biblical sites, a windswept Nabataean tem- Ma'in Dead Sea Nitil ple and some epic landscapes – including Panorama Hammamat Wadi Zarqa Herodus Ma'in Libb Ma'in the majestic Wadi Mujib. Spring Mukawir Dhab'a Unfortunately, Wadi Mujib is to blame Machaerus n Ὀda i Dead H Dhiban Umm for the lack of public transport along this Ein Sea di Ara'ir ar-Rasas Gedi Wa Visitor Lehun Wadi road: minibuses serve the communities on Centre Ariha Mujib either side of the wadi, while through traffic Fag'ua Wadi Mujib uses the Desert Highway. Chartering a taxi Nature Reserve King's Hwy Al-Qasr for the day is more feasible (see p192 ). The Wadi bin Hamad Palace Hotel (and other budget hotels inὄὄ Mazra'aὈAr-Rabba Qatrana Amman, see p105 ) run minibus tours that 50 Karak stop in Wadi Mujib and Karak (and some- 65 Karak ISRAEL & THE Castle times Dana and Shobak) en route to Petra. 15 PALESTINIAN Numeirah Mu'tah TERRITORIES The most convenient way to explore the Lot's Cave Mazar King’s Highway is to hire a car. This al- Safi Khirbet lows for longer, circular trips that combine Hammamat Tannour ὄὄBurbita Wadi the King’s Highway with the Dead Sea Fifa Hammamat Hasa Highway along spectacular hairpin roads Afra wy H Tafila (see p170 ). Al-Hesa Sea Al-'Ain Rummana al-Bayda If all else fails, hitching is possible but be ad Campground De prepared for long waits on deserted stretches – Tower Rashidiyya Dana Centre Wadi Nature Jebel Atatia not advisable in the extreme temperatures Reserve Dana (1641m) Fein ὈὈan Feinan Qadsiyya ὄ of summer or winter. To explore all of Lodge Husseinyah Khirbet Wadi the sites covered in this chapter on public Ghuw Feinan eir Al-Barra Greigra transport could easily take a week. Mansourah aba 35 Ar Shobak Hwy Castle Shobak Freight line only ﻣﺄﺩﺑﺎ MADABA Wadi Desert x05 / Pop 70,000 Umm Mathla The amiable market town of Madaba isὈὈ Wadi ὄ Udruh Petra Musa best known for a collection of superb, Jebel Byzantine-era mosaics. The most famous Haroun 817 Tayyibeh Ma'an of these is the mosaic map on the floor Ar-Rajif 5 of St George’s Church, but there are many Jebel Mubak As-Sadaqa 65 other mosaics carpeting different parts of (1727m) 5 35 Gharandal the town, many of which are even more Rajif Intersection Abu al-Lasan complete and vibrant in colour. To Aqaba To Aqaba One third of Madaba’s population is (63km) Ras an-Naqb (74km) Christian (the other two thirds are Mus- KING’S HIGHWAY lim), making it one of the largest Christian to rise, and finally Mammon gets a look in communities in Jordan. The town’s long with the honks and groans of traffic. The tradition of religious tolerance is joyfully – rest of the day is punctured with yelps to and loudly – expressed on Friday. This is buy apricots, and friendly greetings from one day when you shouldn’t expect a lie- children. in. The imam summons the faithful before Madaba is easily explored on foot. With a sliver of dawn leavens the sky. Then the its lively shops dangling with strings of carillon bells bid the Orthodox Christians shoes; skinned goats tended by men in .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Destination Jordan So It’S Official
    © Lonely Planet Publications 19 Destination Jordan So it’s official. Petra, jewel in the crown of Jordan’s antiquities, has been declared by popular ballot as one of the ‘new’ Seven Wonders of the World. Jordan’s authorities, together with tour operators, hoteliers and even the Bedouin of Petra themselves, have been quick to understand the commercial value of this marketing coup, and prices have risen accord- ingly. The magnificent rock-hewn city of the Nabataeans hardly needed further billing. Since Johann Ludwig Burckhardt rediscovered it in the 19th century, it has been a favourite destination for Europeans – and at sunset on a winter’s day, when the rose-pink city catches alight, it’s easy to see why it has charmed a new generation of visitors. FAST FACTS Not to be outdone by Petra’s success, Wadi Rum – that epic landscape Population: 6.2 million of TE Lawrence and David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia – is a contender as Population growth rate: one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Surely two such acco- 2.3% lades would be entirely disproportionate to the minimal size of Jordan. But Jordan, straddling the ancient Holy Land of the world’s three Inflation: 15.5% great monotheistic religions, and once an important trading centre of the GDP: US$31.01 Roman Empire, is no stranger to punching above its weight. Stand on Mt Main exports: clothing, Nebo, newly consecrated by Pope John II, and survey the land promised pharmaceuticals, potash, to Moses; unfurl a veil at Mukawir, where Salome cast a spell over men phosphates, fertilisers, in perpetuity; float in the Dead Sea, beside a pillar of salt, reputed to be vegetables Lot’s disobedient wife.
    [Show full text]
  • Mammals of Jordan
    © Biologiezentrum Linz/Austria; download unter www.biologiezentrum.at Mammals of Jordan Z. AMR, M. ABU BAKER & L. RIFAI Abstract: A total of 78 species of mammals belonging to seven orders (Insectivora, Chiroptera, Carni- vora, Hyracoidea, Artiodactyla, Lagomorpha and Rodentia) have been recorded from Jordan. Bats and rodents represent the highest diversity of recorded species. Notes on systematics and ecology for the re- corded species were given. Key words: Mammals, Jordan, ecology, systematics, zoogeography, arid environment. Introduction In this account we list the surviving mammals of Jordan, including some reintro- The mammalian diversity of Jordan is duced species. remarkable considering its location at the meeting point of three different faunal ele- Table 1: Summary to the mammalian taxa occurring ments; the African, Oriental and Palaearc- in Jordan tic. This diversity is a combination of these Order No. of Families No. of Species elements in addition to the occurrence of Insectivora 2 5 few endemic forms. Jordan's location result- Chiroptera 8 24 ed in a huge faunal diversity compared to Carnivora 5 16 the surrounding countries. It shelters a huge Hyracoidea >1 1 assembly of mammals of different zoogeo- Artiodactyla 2 5 graphical affinities. Most remarkably, Jordan Lagomorpha 1 1 represents biogeographic boundaries for the Rodentia 7 26 extreme distribution limit of several African Total 26 78 (e.g. Procavia capensis and Rousettus aegypti- acus) and Palaearctic mammals (e. g. Eri- Order Insectivora naceus concolor, Sciurus anomalus, Apodemus Order Insectivora contains the most mystacinus, Lutra lutra and Meles meles). primitive placental mammals. A pointed snout and a small brain case characterises Our knowledge on the diversity and members of this order.
    [Show full text]
  • Visita Jordania
    JORDANIA LA TIERRA SANTA Siga los pasos del Papa hasta el sitio Del bautizo de Cristo y otros lugares religiosos Contenido El legado religioso de Jordania 2 Gadara / Umm Qays 4 Pella / Tabaqat Fahl 5 Umm Al-Jimal 5 Santuario del Profeta Elías 6 Anjara 7 Rehab 7 Gerasa / Jerash 8 Rabbath-Ammon/ Amman 9 Heshbon/ Hisban-Jesbon 10 Colina de Elías 10 Sitio del Bautismo/Bethania- Más Allá del Jordán 11 Pisgah / Monte Nebo 12 Madaba 13 Machaerus / Mukawir 14 Dibon / Dhiban-Diban 14 Mephaath / Umm Ar-Rasas 15 Valle de Arnon / Wadi Mujib 16 Cueva de Lot 17 Petra 18 Mapa de la Jordania Bíblica 19 El Legado Religioso De Jordania La tierra de la moderna Jordania ha sido el sitio de eventos significantes en la historia del Cristianismo extendiéndose al través de los siglos por medio del Antiguo y Nuevo Testa- mento. Es a causa de su significancia religiosa que los sitios alrededor de Jordania han sido designados como sitios de peregrinaje y han sido visitados por el Papa Paulo VI, Juan Pablo II y el Papa Benedicto XVI en el marco de los pasados 50 años, esperando recibir próximamente la cuarta visita Papal por conducto del Papa Francisco a fines de Mayo del 2014. Como una tierra dedicada a la coexistencia religiosa, el Reino de Jordania mantiene estos sitios religiosos para el uso de los peregrinos provenientes de todo el mundo. ¡Únase a Su Santidad para la Misa comunitaria que se celebrará el 24 de Mayo en el Estadio Inter- nacional de Amman! La Misa se llevará a cabo de 4pm a 6pm.
    [Show full text]
  • Fish Species Assemblages in Two Riverine Systems of Mujib Basin in Jordan and the Effects of Impoundment
    Volume 7, Number 3, September .2014 ISSN 1995-6673 JJBS Pages 179 - 185 Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences Fish Species Assemblages in Two Riverine Systems of Mujib Basin in Jordan and the Effects of Impoundment Nashat A. F. Hamidan* Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature [RSCN], Jordan; and Centre for Conservation Ecology and Environmental Science, School of Applied Sciences, Bournemouth University, Poole, BH12 5BB, United Kingdom. Received: April 4, 2014 Revised: May 6, 2014 Accepted: May 15, 2014 Abstract Mujib and Haidan rivers were sampled in July 2011 to identify fish populations in the riverine system, and to investigate the impact caused by the existence of two dams. Fishes were sampled by electofishing gear through 14 sampling points distributed along the two rivers. The Mujib Dam lake was sampled by gillnets. A total of 2,854 fish specimen were caught during the study of which most consisted of native species but included small numbers of invasive species. The native Capoeta damascina and Oxynoemacheilus insignis were found in both rivers but Garra rufa was only recorded below their confluence to the west. Four invasive species were recorded. The cichlids Oreochromis aureus and Tilapia zillii were sampled along Mujib River, and the African Catfish Clarias gariepinus and the Common Carp Cyprinus carpio were observed only in the lake of Mujib Dam but were not sampled. The construction of the two dams has led to significant changes in the habitats, water flow, and hydrology of the two rivers both upstream and downstream, and enhanced the colonisation of invasive species. There is, therefore, an urgent need to review the management of the system across all stakeholders and to continue monitoring on a regular basis.
    [Show full text]
  • Plans for the Jordan River
    ,,iT7 Plans for the Jordan River Year P1n Sponsor 1913 FranQhia Plan Ottoman Empire 1922 Mavromatis Plan Great Britain 1928 Henriques Plan Great Britain 1939 lonides Survey Transjordan 1944 Lowdermilk Plan U.S.A. 1950 MacDonald Report Jordan 1951 AllIsrael Plan Israel 1 952 Bunger Plan Jordan/U.S.A. 1 954 Arab Plan Arab Leaque Tech. Corrim. 1 955 Baker-Harza Plan Jordan 1 955 Unified (Johnston) Plan U.S.A. 1956 Israeli National Water Plan Israel 1 964 Jordan Headwaters Diversion Arab League Flows in the Main Tributaries of the Jordan River System Tributary Average amual flow, 11CM Dan 245 Hisbani 138 Banias 121 400 Side Weds; springs; runoff 350 ,kt- Forecasts of Total Water Demand, MCM per year 2500 2000 1500 1000 .0 500 ,, I : 1990 1q95 2000 2005 2010 Projected Years Characterization of Water Resources Problems In Terms of Social and Economic Significance Physic& Manifestation Consequences Economic end Social Significance 1. SemI-arid climate, Fluctuations in water supply; Planning1 ve1opment low precipitation, periodic droughts; naturally targets pl&ued with high evep. rates. limited water resource be. uncerta1nty 2. High population Increased demand and competition Reduced living growth rates. for water; non-renewbie ground sthnrds; he&th water depletion; pollution, problems. 3 Conflicting demands Inequitable allocations end subsidies, Emergence of water rional price structuring, lobbyists. 4. Riparian conflicts Critical supply augmentation projects Destabilizing to cannot be undertaken. the economy. 5. Absence of effective Waterlogging, environmental Impacts, Decline In conservation program. overall Inefficiencies, losses, productivity. 6. Financial constraints. Supply augmentation cannot meet Increasing health demand ruirements. problems, loss of productivity (chain reaction).
    [Show full text]
  • The Holy Land but Did Not Enter It and Where a Church and a Monastery Were Built to Honor Him
    Content Jordan’s Religious Legacy 1 Baptism Site/Bethany Beyond the Jordan 3 Hill of Elijah 4 Pisgah / Mount Nebo 5 Medeba / Madaba 6 Machaerus / Mukawir 7 Anjara 7 Prophet Elijah’s Shrine 8 Mephaath / Umm Ar-Rasas 9 Gadara / Umm Qays 10 Gerasa / Jerash 11 Rabbath-Ammon/ Amman 12 Petra 13 Arnon Valley / Wadi Mujib 14 Pella / Tabaqat Fahl 15 Umm Al-Jimal 16 Lot’s Cave 17 Heshbon/ Hisban 18 Rehab 19 Dibon / Dhiban 19 The Early Church in Aqaba 20 Map of Biblical Jordan 21 Jordan’s Religious Legacy The land of modern day Jordan has been the site of signifcant events in the history of Christianity spanning across centuries throughout the New and Old Testaments. It is because of this religious signifcance that sites all around Jordan have been designated as pilgrimage sites and have been visited by Pope John Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis within the past half century. As a land dedicated to religious coexistence, the country of Jordan maintains these religious sites for the use of pilgrims from all around the world. 1 Jordan’s Religious Legacy Today I am in Jordan, a land familiar to me from the Holy Scriptures – a land sanctifed by the presence of Jesus Himself, by the presence of Moses, Elijah and John the Baptist; and of saints and martyrs of the early Church. Yours is a land noted for its hospitality and openness to all. Pope John Paul II during his Jubilee Pilgrimage in 2000 Pope John Paul VI Pope John Paul II at Mount Nebo Pope Benedict XVI at the Baptism site Pope Francis 2 Baptism Site/ Bethany Beyond the Jordan The Bible narrates that people used to travel from Jerusalem and Yahuda and from the countries bordering Jordan to be baptized by John the Baptist.
    [Show full text]
  • The Leopard in Jordan
    The Leopard in Jordan Mayas Qarqaz1 and Mohammed Abu Baker2 1 The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. P.O. Box 1215 Amman 11941 Jordan. Current address: Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi. P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 2 Department of Biology, Jordan University of Science & Technology. P.O. Box 3030, Irbid, 22110 Jordan Leopards have been reported from several localities in Jordan. The last confirmed report dates from 1987. There have been occasional unconfirmed reports since. Recent field surveys have failed to find signs of leopard presence. ϡΎѧϋ ϚѧϟΫ ϥ΄ѧη ϲѧϓ ήѧϳήϘΗ ήѧΧ΁ Ω΍Ϊϋ· ϢΗϭ ˬϥΩέϷ΍ ϲϓ ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ ΓΪϫΎθϣ ϰϟ·ήϴθΗ ϲΘϟ΍ ήϳέΎϘΘϟ΍ Ϧϣ ΪϳΪόϟ΍ ϙΎϨϫ .ϥΩέϷ΍ ϲϓ ϲΑήόϟ΍ ήϤϨϟ΍ ΩϮΟϭ ΪϛΆΗ Ε΍ήηΆϣ Δϳ΃ ΩΎΠϳ· ϲϓ ΍ήΧΆϣ ϪΑ ϡΎϴϘϟ΍ ϢΗ ϲϧ΍Ϊϴϣ ΢δϣ ήΧ΁ Ϟθϓ Ϊϗϭ ˬ1987 Distribution Leopards were reported as more com- mon than the cheetah by Tristram (1866, 1888) in many areas of Jordan Syria and Palestine. Ernst Schmitz recorded five leopards shot near Jerusalem in the first decade of the 20th century (Hardy 1947). Aharoni (1930) reported a leop- ard killed between Ramallah and Em- maus. Another animal was killed on the Palestinian-Lebanese frontier and Amman a cub was secured near Safad, west of Lake Galilee (Hardy 1947, Qumsiyeh 1996, Qumsiyeh et al. 1993). Hardy (1947) stated that leopards still inhab- ited the wadi south of Petra and Wadi Zarqa Ma’en as well as an individual Kingdom shot at Ain Ghidyan, north of Aqaba. of Jordan Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Harrison (1968) reported a specimen shot west of Ma’an.
    [Show full text]
  • Jordan Highlights
    For Expert Advice Call A unique occasion deserves a unique experience. 01722 744695 https://www.weekendalacarte.co.uk/special-occasion-holidays/destinations/jordan-oman/jordan-highlights-holiday/ Jordan Highlights Break available: March - May & Sept - End Nov 7 Highlights Night Break Our Petra & Jordan Highlights Private Tour brings you the best of ● Private guided visit to Petra this historic, beautiful and culturally rich country in the comfort of ● Private visit to see the ancient Greco Roman ruins of Jerash your own private vehicle, driven by your own guide. The guide ● Visit with your private guide the imposing Mt Nebo & Kerak always goes out of his way to adapt to your interests to make sure Crusader Fortress you have the most personalised break possible. He will also stop ● Private 4 Wheel drive Safari through Wadi Rum ● at local villages and go off the beaten track to give you a personal Overnight in desert camp. ● insight into current Jordanian culture and cuisine, as well as the Ancient Amman citadel private tour ● Relaxing floating at the Dead Sea ancient sites. We believe in you having the very best experience ● Petra by Candlelight - This normally carries an extra charge so this already includes the upgraded rooms with Mountains but is complimentary to guests of Weekend a la Carte Views at Petra and sea views at the Dead Sea. This is our most ● Upgraded rooms with a view at Petra and the Dead Sea popular private journey in Jordan, however if this is not what you are looking for we can tailormake a journey perfect for you.
    [Show full text]
  • Water Resources Protection Plan for Zara – Ma`Een – Mujib Project Watershed Prepared By: Geo
    Water Resources Protection Plan for Zara – Ma`een – Mujib Project Watershed Prepared by: Geo. Abbas Kalbouneh (WAJ), Bio. Refiat Bani Khalaf (WAJ), Eng. Ahmmad Ulaimat (WAJ) and Geo. Ahmmad Abu Hejleh (CDM) Contents Page 1) Introduction………………………………………………………2 2) Objective of the project…………………………………………2 3) Project area descriptions ………………………………………2 3.1 Location………………………………………………..2 3.2 Climate…………………………………………………2 3.3 Topographic, Geologic and Structural Setting..........4 3.4 Water Resources……………………………………...7 3.5 Water Quality…………………………………………..10 4) Land use Practices and Its Possible Pollution Impacts……..12 5) Water Resources Protection Plan for ZZM Watershed……..17 6) Conclusions and recommendations……………………………21 1) Introduction Surface water resources are increasingly important for domestic water supply in Jordan. In order to protect the water resources in Zara- Ma`een- Mujib project watershed, WAJ with cooperation with USA-CDM Co. implement a project concerning surface and ground water resources protections in this watershed. Zara – Ma`een – Mujib (ZMM) Watershed is located in the central part of Jordan, including the majority of Madaba Governorate, and limited southern parts of Amman Governorate. In ZMM Watershed, the base flow and the flood flows are used to supply the Zara Maieen Water treatment plant with raw water that is treated and then pumped to the Capital Amman. This supply is done through The Mujib dam and the Walla dam. Other sources that includes the Wadi Zarqa Maieen springs, the hot springs and the Wadi Abu Khusheibah. Water Resources Protection Plan for Zara-Ma`een-Mujib Project Watershed is a technical definition used to explain the restrictions (prohibitions, limitations and measures) on urban, industrial, touristic and agricultural development.
    [Show full text]
  • Explore Mujib the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature Is an Independent National Organization Devoted to the Conservation of Jordan's Natural Resources
    N The Royal Society for the 7th Circle Conservation of Nature Balqa Explore Mujib The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature is an independent national organization devoted to the conservation of Jordan's natural resources. RSCN was established in 1966 with His Majesty the late King Hussein Wild Canyoning Adventures as Honorary President. RSCN has the mission of protecting Bahath and managing the natural resources of Jordan, for it is responsible for protecting wildlife and wild places. Thus, it 35 is one of the few national organizations in the Middle East Activities Accommodation Dining Directions Adasiyah Al Bnayyat with such a public service mandate. Rawdhah Mujib’s Nature Ramah Al Janoubi Wild Jordan Inspired Crafts 40 Hesban Wild Jordan is a registered trademark for The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. Handcrafted Silver Jewelry Women in the local Fagu'a community use designs inspired by Jordan's Wild Jordan’s revenues contribute to the sustainability of Swaimeh Amman nature to create one-of-a kind brooches, necklaces, and earrings. RSCN’s protected areas and supports the socio economic development of local communities. Medicinal Herbs Oyoun Mousa NATURE INSPIRED ... ETHICALLY DEVELOPED. Herbs, harvested from the Mujib area, are dried and turned into herbal teas that are not only healthy but delicious, too! Contact Wild Jordan Adventures at: Tel: (+962 6) 4616 523 Sand-blasted Stone Ma’ien Mob: (+962) 79 7000 086 Local stones are blasted with Jordanian sand, creating unique designs that Fax: (+962 6) 4633 657 are reminiscent of the natural sites throughout all of Jordan's reserves.
    [Show full text]
  • The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Ministry of Water & Irrigation Jordan
    The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Ministry of Water & Irrigation Jordan Valley Authority GENERAL INFORMATION THE THIRD COUNTRY TRAINING PROGRAMME For WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT August / September 2004 Water Resources Management 23 August – 02 September 2004 Water Resources Management 23 August – 02 September 2004 Table of Contents Background Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) Role Water Resources Surface water resources Ground water resources Treated Waste water Storage Reservoirs in the Jordan Valley Irrigation Networks Special Projects Water Resources Management Training Programe Tentative Curriculum of the Programme Tentative Schedule Water Resources Management 23 August – 02 September 2004 Background The Jordan Rift Valley (JRV) extends from the Yarmouk River in the north to the Gulf of Aqaba in the South for about 360 km, with an average width of 10 km. The elevation of its valley floor varies from -212m south of Lake Tiberias to - 415m at the Dead Sea, and it rises to +250 m in central Wadi Araba. The variations in temperature, humidity, and rainfall produced distinct agro-climatic zones. Annual rainfall starts in October and ends in May. Precipitation reaches 350- 400 mm/year in the north and drops down to 50 mm/year in the south. The warm winter of the valley allows the production of off-season crops and can be considered as a large green house. The annual available water resources in the valley spins around 250-300 MCM, while the annual demand for irrigation exceeds 500 MCM. Around 60 MCM of water is pumped up to the city of Amman and 20 MCM to Irbid for domestic uses. Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) Role The Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) is in charge of the integrated development of the Valley.
    [Show full text]
  • The Influence of Geology on Landscape Typology in Jordan
    land Article The Influence of Geology on Landscape Typology in Jordan: Theoretical Understanding and Planning Implications Taleb Odeh 1,*, Natalia Boulad 2, Omar Abed 2, Anas Abu Yahya 2, Nour Khries 2 and Nizar Abu-Jaber 3 1 Arid Lands Academy, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan 2 The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), P.O. Box 1215, Jubeiha 11941, Jordan; [email protected] (N.B.); [email protected] (O.A.); [email protected] (A.A.Y.); [email protected] (N.K.) 3 Center for the Study of Natural and Cultural Heritage, German Jordanian University, P.O. Box 35247, Amman 11180, Jordan; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] or [email protected] Received: 20 April 2017; Accepted: 26 July 2017; Published: 31 July 2017 Abstract: Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) has been introduced into Jordan through the MEDSCAPES project. The purpose of this project was to streamline landscape studies and integrate them into the land use planning practices in Jordan. Two areas within the Mediterranean and arid climatic zones of the country were chosen as test areas for the methodology. These were the Yarmouk River drainage basin in the northwest of the country and the Mujib River area in the west of Jordan within the Dead Sea basin. Landscape Character Mapping resulted in 22 and 64 Land Description Units (LDUs) for the Yarmouk and Mujib areas, respectively, which were then classified into 14 landscape types. The factors which control the spatial distributions of these units are geology, land cover, landform, and settlements.
    [Show full text]