الأربعاء، 19 يناير 2011

JORDAN

King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan



Abdullah II bin al-Hussein  (Arabic: الملك عبد الله الثاني بن الحسين‎, al-Malik ʿAbdullāh aṯ-ṯānī bin al-Ḥusayn; born 30 January 1962) is the current King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. He ascended the throne on 7 February 1999 after the death of his father King Hussein. King Abdullah is a member of the Hashemite family. Abdullah has been married to Queen Rania of Jordan since 1993 and his mother is Princess Muna al-Hussein.

Marriage and children


King Abdullah is married to Rania al-Abdullah, a Palestinian. They have four children:
  • Crown Prince Hussein (born 28 June 1994)
  • Princess Iman (born 27 September 1996)
  • Princess Salma (born 26 September 2000)
  • Prince Hashem (born 30 January 2005)

The geographical location of Jordan


Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan State Arab is located in the Levant in the South West Asia , where a south-eastern part of the Levant , and northern area of the Arabian Peninsula . Has common borders with both Syria from the north, the West Bank - occupied Palestine and Israel  to the west, Iraq to the east and Saudi Arabia from the south and south-east. It also overlooks the Gulf of Aqaba in the south-west. Named Jordan, relative to the Jordan River , which passes on its western border.

The regime in Jordan

Regime the regime in Jordan parliamentary hereditary monarchy, consisting of three branches: the executive power , and the legislature , and judiciary .



Major Cities



Major Cities
  • Amman is the capital of the country's political and largest city, the population of the province capital, about two million people, to be about one third of the population of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
  • Irbid is the capital of the north and the second Jordanian cities with a population of around one million.
  • Blue the third city in terms of population, located to the northeast of the capital.
  • Salt ancient Jordanian city, is the fourth largest city of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in terms of population, and about 28 km from Amman to the north-west.
  • Aqaba
  • Karak
  • Madaba
  • Tafila
  • Meanings
  • Ajloun
  • Jerash
  • Mafraq
  • Ramtha

The most beautiful tourist areas



Petra
The city is carved in the rock and hiding behind an impenetrable barrier of rugged mountains, barely porous of mysterious charm. The traffic Balseq, a passage through the narrow aspects of a towering height that barely allow the passage of the sun, provides a dramatic contrast with the magic to come. And suddenly opens into a field normally contains the famous Treasury of Petra carved into the rock, glowing under the rays of golden sun
There are several interfaces that entice the visitor on until the ancient city, one monument leads to another teacher Bantoa distances. The overall size of the city as well as beautifully carved facades is in shock and makes the visitor gives an idea of the level of creativity and industry of the Nabataeans who made Petra their capital more than 2000 years ago. From their capital at the Nabataeans were able to establish a network of caravan routes which brought spices, incense, myrrh, gold, silver and precious stones from India and the Arabian Peninsula, to be traded in the west
As a result of the wealth they acquired, they adorned their city with palaces, temples and arches. Many of them have been built have disappeared, but many were carved in the rock Kalkhoznp, shrines and altar of higher and remains to this day in excellent condition and perfect for make you feel that you have entered a time wrap. Petra is an enchanting place that captivates and excites the senses. Its overwhelming size, rich textures and stunning surroundings create an ambiance almost impossible to describe
 As you set off from the gate entrance to the town the valley is quite wide and open. This section is a narrow entrance known as the Siq door. The first thing going through is a jinn, a cluster of three freestanding rock cubes just to the right of the corridor 

Upon crossing more visitor sees through the slit path you come to the tomb, carved in the cliff. At the moment of the passageway goes from a wide to a dark gap width not exceeding several feet. Suddenly, a few steps you get your first glimpse of the finest achievement of Petra the Treasury that looks like the eye under the hot sun and carved in the rock
And at its widest point outside the Siq, a gully to the south. The corridor takes you to the highest point in the site, Nabataean archaeological site of the offerings, altar, carved in the rock. The vision of Petra from that height is considered worthwhile

After the altar is heading the visitor to the temple garden. There are two freestanding colonnades, in front of the remains of the temple. And to walk more passes Triclinium before reaching the Temple of Romanian troops and Altrickllenium
There are many in Petra sacred sites. At the summit, which was a windswept ridge wind Nabatean people extolled their gods at the named place higher altar. In the region known as the street faces, you can see many of the Nabataean ruins
The Outer siq makes a sharp turn northwards and leads to the Roman theater built in typical Roman style. The Palace of Pharaoh's daughter shows that the Nabataeans were able to build separate buildings
The monastery second most amazing in Petra, in order to sense the magnitude of Petra and the enormous power of the rock, the trip is essential. And through the Palace of Pharaoh's daughter of steps lead up to the Museum of Petra, which includes a small group of the best souvenirs

Jarash
A close second to Petra on the list of favourite destinations in Jordan, the ancient city of Jerash boasts as unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years.
The city's golden age came under Roman rule and the site is now generally acknowledged to be one of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the world. Hidden for centuries in sand before being excavated and restored over the past 70 years, Jerash reveals a fine example of the grand, formal provincial Roman urbanism that is found throughout the Middle East, comprising paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates.

Beneath its external Graeco - Roman veneer, Jerash also preserves a subtle blend of east and west. Its architecture, religion and languages reflect a process by which two powerful cultures meshed and coexisted, The Graeco - Roman world of the Mediterranean basin and the ancient traditions of the Arab Orient.


T
he Jerash festival, held in July every year, transforms the ancient city into one of the world's liveliest and most spectacular culture events. The festival features folklore dances by local and international groups, ballet, concerts, plays, opera, popular singers and sales of traditional handicrafts, all in the brilliantly floodlit dramatic surroundings of the Jerash ruins.





Um Qais
Visit this Greco-Roman town, also mentioned in the Bible, snugly located in a hillside of northern Jordan, and marvel at the sweeping view of Lake Tiberias and the Golan Heights from atop this Decapolis. Kindle that transcendental feeling, as you walk through the path of ancient flourishing civilizations, their remnants telling the story of the many travellers who entered its ancient gates; from the Macedonians, who first established their acropolis, to the Romans, Byzantines, Umayyads and Ottomans.
Join us for a fulfilling experience!

Umm Qais (Gadara)

Situated on a broad promontory 378 meters above sea level, this town was known as Gadara, one of the ancient Greco-Roman cities of the Decapolis, and according to the Bible, the spot where Jesus cast out the Devil from two demoniacs (mad men) into a herd of pigs (Mathew 8:28-34). In ancient times, Gadara was strategically situated, laced by a number of key trading routes connecting Syria and Palestine. It was blessed with fertile soil and abundant rainwater. This town also flourished intellectually and became distinguished for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, attracting writers, artists, philosophers and poets, the likes of Satirist Menippos (second half of the 3rd century BC), the epigrammist, Meleagros (ca.110-40 BC), and the rhetorician, Theodoros (AD14-37). Gadara was also the resort of choice for Romans vacationing in the nearby Himmet Gader Springs.

Archaeological surveys indicate that Gadara was occupied as early as the 7th century BC. The Greek historian, Polybius, described the region as being under Ptolemic control at the time. The Seleucid ruler Antiochus III conquered it in 218 BC, naming the city Antiochia and Seleucia. In 63 BC, Pompey liberated Gadara and joined it to the Roman league of ten cities, the Decapolis. Soon after, the fortunes of Gadara improved rapidly and building was undertaken on a large scale, carried out for the love of Pompey's freed man, Demetrius, who had been born there.

During these early years of Roman rule, the Nabateans (with their capital in Petra) controlled the trade routes as far north as Damascus. Unhappy with the competition, Mark Anthony dispatched King Herod the Great to weaken the Nabateans, who finally gave up their northern interest in 31 BC. In appreciation for his efforts, Rome rewarded Herod with Gadara.

The city reached its peak of prosperity in 2nd century AD and new colonnaded streets, temples, theatres and baths sprouted. Meleagros compared Gadara with Athens, which testifies to the city's status as a creative centre of Hellenism in the ancient Near East.


Christianity spread slowly among the inhabitants of Gadara. Starting from the 4th Century, its bishop attended the ecclesiastical councils of Nicaea, Chaleedon, and Ephesos. Despite his attendance, the city was no longer a seat of learning. During the 6th century, decline set in, and in AD 636 a decisive military clash between Byzantines and Arab Muslims took place not far from Gadara. However, there is no evidence of widespread destruction in the city.
Dead See


Heritage




Traditional food in Jordan


MANSAF:
It consists of Rice - Meat - Yougurt and cooking butter








TRADITIONAL COSTUME :

Traditional costume for women in Jordan





Traditional costume for men in Jordan





For more information please visit the file : ppt