Background: For most of its history since independence from British administration in 1946, Jordan was ruled by King HUSSEIN (1953-99). A pragmatic ruler, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population, despite several wars and coup attempts. In 1989 he reinstituted parliamentary elections and gradual political liberalization; in 1994 he signed a formal peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II - the eldest son of King HUSSEIN and Princess MUNA - assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and undertaken an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001. After a two-year delay, parliamentary and municipal elections took place in the summer of 2003. The Prime Minister and government appointed in April 2005 declared they would build upon the previous government's achievements to respect political and human rights and improve living standards.
May 4th 2008Middle East » Jordan » South » Petra Boy was Day 5 a big day. This was the Petra day and our tour guide got us up rather nice and early so that we could get into Petra before all the crowds arrived. I have to say that if we were getting ... 15 photos[full story]
April 30th 2008Middle East » Jordan » South » Petra we left dahab and took a busride up to the gulf of aquaba, which is where egypt,israel and jordan meet. we took a ferry from egypt to jordan and then another few hour bus ride to wadi musa. this is ... 24 photos[full story]
May 3rd 2008Middle East » Jordan » South » Wadi Rum We woke up this morning in our camp site at Wadi Rum. The night in Wadi Rum was really quite freezing and it is only because Dave is so warm and toasty that I actually managed to survive the night at ... 9 photos[full story]
April 25th 2008Middle East » Jordan » South » Aqaba We woke up early to beat the crowed and visited the ruins a second time. This sunrise visit was well worth it. The light on the rocks and ruins was amazing and it was a completely different experience ... [full story]
April 24th 2008Middle East » Jordan » South » Petra Made the 3 hour drive to Petra. There is not much between Amman and Petra but a lot of hot dry desert. We did stop along the way to meet a Bedouin family. They were very welcoming and even asked us to ... [full story]
April 11th 2008Middle East » Jordan » South » Petra Man oh man, Petra is one impressive place!
I know I am repeating myself a lot in these blogs, but there are just so many amazing places in this part of the world.
I had always thought Petra wa ... 15 photos[full story]
April 10th 2008Middle East » Jordan » South » Wadi Rum Wow, another new country. Jordan is lovely, mostly clean and tidy, organised and the food is great so far!
Spent the night camping under the stars in Wadi Rum, home of Lawerence of Arabia and so m ... 10 photos[full story]
April 20th 2008Middle East » Jordan » South Uneseni krásou nabatejské Petry, uz notně spálení a zaprášení, ale plni optimismu hledíme vstříc dalším dnům naší cesty. Čeká nás další místo, na které ... 19 photos[full story]
April 15th 2008Middle East » Jordan » South » Aqaba After five days at sea we entered the Gulf of Aqaba and docked in Jordan’s only seaport, Aqaba. We were here two years ago and visited one of the most amazing places on earth. Petra is the ros ... 17 photos[full story]
April 1st 2008Middle East » Jordan » South » Petra It's been awhile since we were in Jordan but we'll do our best to fill in the details. We crossed the border from Israel into Jordan without difficulty...we had heard that it could take several hours ... 14 photos[full story]
Map of Jordan
Jordan's Flag
