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The Wadi Rum desert

In the south of Jordan stretches a desert expanse that covers nearly 750 square kilometers. While Jordan is covered with sandy desert regions, this part of the country is very different in that here one does not find large sand dunes, but canyons, natural arches, cliffs and caves.

This magnificent place is nicknamed "the valley of the moon", and this name is not misused because what we see there corresponds to the idea we have of the moon.

Wadi is synonymous with oued, a term which designates a valley hollowed out by the erosion of a watercourse which does not flow into the sea but which remains enclosed in a closed basin, often underground.

The region is mountainous and the highest peak, Jabal Umm ad Dani rises to 1,840 meters above sea level, making it the highest elevation in Jordan.

Desert history

In addition to the spectacular landscapes made of ocher sand and majestic cliffs, Wadi Rum is characterized by the many rock paintings, or more exactly petroglyphs, that can be found there. These rock engravings, depicting men or animals, have been dated to over 12,000 years ago.

We find on the walls of the cliffs of Wadi Rum not only 25,000 paintings or engravings, but also nearly 20,000 precious inscriptions to trace the beginnings of alphabetic writing and the evolution of men who lived there during prehistoric times. It's a safe bet that the place was less harsh in those remote times.

There are also more recent traces left by the Nabataeans of which Petra (which is not very far) was the capital at the beginning of our era.

Wadi Rum is still inhabited by Bedouins living in the village of Wadi Rum, living either in concrete houses or in traditional goat hair tents and who for the most part have swapped the traditional desert vessel, the dromedary, for gleaming four-wheel drive vehicles.

tourism

The place is very popular with tourists, and a village of luxurious and welcoming tents has been built at the entrance for many who do not only take a day to visit this fascinating place.

 

Spoken comments in the film: 

One of the most spectacular and popular places in Jordan is undoubtedly Wadi Rum, a desert valley offering impressive landscapes and prehistoric remains in the form of petroglyphs. 

The place receives many tourists and tourism-related businesses offer local Bedouin populations new sources of financial income. 

The tourist facilities include very comfortable tents for visitors who want to stay several days.

about the place, Wadi Rum:

Wadi Rum in the south of Jordan is a wadi, a valley carved out by the erosion of a stream. In addition to its spectacular landscapes, Wadi Rum has more than 25,000 petroglyphs testifying to approximately 12,000 years of human occupation. Among these petroglyphs, some allow us to trace the beginnings of alphabetic writing.

It is one of the high places of tourism in Jordan