Tourism and history in Jordan

Tourism in Jordan

Jordan, a country of Middle East, is rich with a wide range of tourist attractions. Tourism is Jordan's most promising sector of the economy.
Tourism accounts for a large part of Jordan's economy. Jordanian hospitality is well noted by its rash of western tourists. In 2008, there were over 6 million arrivals with tourist receipts amounting to about 3 billion dollars. Its major tourist activities include visiting ancient sites (like the worldwide famous Petra) and unspoilt natural locations, as well as observing cultural and religious sites and traditions.
In addition to its historical sites, Jordan offers the following tourist attractions:
Health tourism is becoming very popular in Jordan. Many of the recipients of Jordanian hospitals are Palestinian and Iraqi refugees. Syrians, Yemenis, and South East Asians working in Jordan are also common visitors. Leisure tourism in the Dead Sea area offer world-class spas to visitors. Theuraptic tourism is an increasingly important sector of the Jordanian tourism industry.
Education tourism is also very popular in Jordan. Jordan's excellent education program is a favorite for westerners studying Arabic in the Middle East. Also, those who can afford it study in Jordan's European and American universities
Adventurers staying in Jordan can also rock-climb in Jordan's Wadi Rum and go for hikes in Jordan's northern mountainous region. Scuba divers can visit Aqaba's magnificent coral reefs.
Pop-culture tourism is also evident in Jordan because many western films have been filmed in Jordan
Shopping tourism is popular in Amman, Irbid, and Aqaba.
Pilgrimages are growing in Jordan. Mount Nebo and the Mosaic Map in Madaba are popular to Christian tourists. The Jordan River and the Dead Sea are also very popular. The numerous medieval mosques and churches are popular destinations for pilgrims.

Ancient history

Evidence of human activity in Transjordan dates back to the Paleolithic period (500000 - 17000 BC). While there is no architectural evidence from this era, archaeologists have found tools, such as flint and basalt hand-axes, knives and scraping implements.

An old Roman Temple in Erak al Amir
In the Neolithic period (8500-4500 BC), three major shifts occurred. First, people became sedentary living in small villages and concurrently, new food sources were discovered and domesticated, such as cereal grains, peas and lentils, as well as goats. The population increased reaching tens of thousands of people.
Second, the shift in settlement patterns was catalyzed by a marked change in the weather, particularly affecting the eastern desert, which grew warmer and drier, eventually becoming entirely uninhabitable for most of year. This watershed climate change is believed to have occurred between 6500 and 5500 BC.
Third, between 5500 - 4500 BC pottery from clay, rather than plaster, began to be produced. Pottery-making technologies were likely introduced to the area by craftsmen from Mesopotamia. The largest Neolithic site is at Ein Ghazal in Amman. There are many buildings, divided into three distinct districts. Houses were rectangular with several rooms, and some of them had plastered floors. Archaeologists have unearthed skulls covered with plaster and with bitumen in the eye sockets at sites throughout Jordan, Israel and Syria. A statue was also discovered at Ein Ghazal that is thought to be 8,000 years old. Just over one meter high, it depicts a woman with huge eyes, skinny arms, knobby knees and a detailed rendering of her toes.