Wonders Of The World: Petra (Jordan)

Petra is the most popular attractions in Jordan for tourists and also one of the world's most famous historical archeological sites. It is an ancient city located between the Dead Sea and the Red Sea. The city is half man-made and half carved into the rock and had a water conduit system that is also one of the reasons the city is famous. It is often referred to as the Rose City because of the rose color of the rock from which the city was carved. The Western world knew nothing of Petra until a Swiss explorer introduced it in 1812.

Interesting Petra Facts:

Petra is thought to have been established as early as 312 BC. It was the capital city of Nabataens. There is evidence to suggest that between 1550 and 1292 BC settlements had begun in and around Petra.

Petra was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. UNESCO also described Petra as ‘one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage'.

This is the biblical site where it is said that King Aretas ordered the arrest of the Apostle Paul. Petra is referred to as Sela in the bible.

Petra was the center of caravan trade, an important junction for the silk trade. It was located at a junction that China, India, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Syria and southern Arabia used for trading spices and silk, among other products.

Petra is the Greek word for rock.

There are approximately 800 structures in Petra.

Petra was captured by Muslims in the 7th century and by the Crusaders in the 12th century.

There was enough water to support the 30,000 people that are believed to have inhabited Petra. There was also enough water in this desert region to have lush gardens.