The city of Aqaba is a Jordanian city located in the far south of Jordan on the Red Sea coast 330 km from the Jordanian capital of Amman
The city of Aqaba is a Jordanian city located in the far south of Jordan on the Red Sea coast 330 km from the Jordanian capital of Amman. It is the center of the Governorate of Aqaba. It occupies a privileged position as the sole maritime port of Jordan. Populated in 4000 B.C., the city of Aqaba’s major attractions include the Aqaba Fort and the Archaeological Museum. Its beach resorts are known for water sports and windsurfing and have famous diving sites ideal for scuba divers such as the Yamanieh coral reef in the Aqaba Marine Park.
History
Aqaba is strategically located on the sea and at the crossroads between Asia and Africa. It has been home to many tribes since 4000 years ago and used to be a passage for merchants and traders between Hijaz and the Arabian Peninsula. During the 12th century, Aqaba was occupied by the Crusaders and in 1170, was regained by Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub, the Sultan of Egypt. During World War 1, Ottoman troops fled Aqaba after being attacked by Sharif Hussein bin Ali’s forces in 1917. Sharif Hussein bin Ali was known as the Hashemite Leader of the Great Arab Revolt. T. E. Lawrence, famously known as Lawrence of Arabia, also took a big part in this revolution.
Tourism
The city of Aqaba is an active tourism hub because it is located on the Red Sea coast, a destination that attracts millions of tourists worldwide. Aqaba’s moderate climate, purity of water, and the beaches' cleanliness make it an ideal environment for the growth of corals and different species of marine organisms. This makes Aqaba’s beaches one of the best sites for swimming and diving. Moreover, Aqaba attracts thousands of migratory birds during the autumn and spring seasons, and tourists can witness exotic bird species. Some of Aqaba’s major attractions include Wadi Rum Village which is ideal for deserts and camping, the Aqaba Archaeological Museum, and the Aqua Fortress. Finally, Aqaba has high-end quality hotels that provide great comfort for tourists. A trip to this magnificent city should definitely be on your to-do bucket list!
