Guide Note

Petra is an archaeological site in Jordan noted for its many stone structures carved into the rock. It is located in a basin among the mountains in the eastern part of Arabah (Wadi Araba), the large valley running from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. Petra's founders the Nabataens were nomads. Eventually they settled down into an urban lifestyle. The entire region where they settled was called Nabataea, and Petra was the capital. Petra was a hub for trade as people traveled the ancient caravan routes between Rome, Greece and Egypt.

Fast Facts

July 7, 2007: Voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
1812: Site revealed to the western world by the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt
A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Petra's Ruins

Petra's ruins are in the sandstone cliffs of southern Jordan. There are 3000 structures, which were all carved in elaborate patterns and painted in bright colors. New parts of the city are being uncovered all the time by French, Swiss, American and Jordanian archeologists. More tourists visit every year, which makes preserving the excavations more difficult.

Movies that Feature Petra

Categories

News | Vacation | Middle East Destinations | Travel

View Note History

Petra

Also try: New Seven Wonders of the World

The Mahalo Top 7

Nabataea.net: Petra: The High Place
American Museum of Natural History: Petra: Lost City of Stone and Interactive Guides
Archaeology: Petra's Great Temple
Panorama Productions: Photo tour of Petra
New 7 Wonders: Petra Entry
YouTube: 3D Animation of Petra Jordan
Wikipedia: Petra Overview

Petra News

Google News: Petra, Jordan
International Herald Tribune: Campaign for voting Jordan's Petra... (2007)
Haaretz: "Jordan celebrates Petra's pick as one of 7 wonders of the world" (2007)
Guardian Unlimited: Raiders of the Lost City (2005)

Petra Background and History

Brown University: The Petra Great Temple - History
Petra-Archaeology: Temple of the Winged Lions
Atlas Tours: Petra Map and Monuments
MiddleEastUK.com: Jordan - Petra
Geotimes: Petra: An Eroding Ancient City
Bibleplaces.com: Petra
Arab.net: Jordan: Petra
Visible Earth: Petra, Jordan Region

Petra Key Structures

The Great Temple

Brown University: The Great Temple Tour and Images of Finds
Nabataea.net: Petra: The Royal Courts

The Siq

Nabataea: Petra: The Siq
Uricogan.com: Entrance to the Siq, Petra - QTVR and The Siq, Petra - QTVR

The Khazneh

Uricogan.com: The Khazneh, Petra - QTVR
Raingod: The Khazneh
Jorgetutor.com: Treasury (Al-Khazneh) Petra pictures

The Royal Tombs

Raingod.com: The Royal Tombs
Uricogan.com: Kings Tombs, Petra - QTVR
Google Image Search: El Deir Petra

El Deir

Petra III: El Deir to Kerak Photos

Petra Photos

Google Image Search: Petra Jordan
Pbase.com: Petra-Jordan Photo Gallery
Panoramas.dk: Petra Jordan Full Screen QTVR
Panorama Productions: Photo tour of Petra
Photos: Jordan: Petra 2005
Jordan: Petra Rocks 2005

Petra Videos

Brightcove: Jewish TV Network - Petra Jordan
Brightcove: Resorts Travel TV - Petra
Google Video Search: Petra Jordan

Petra Travel Information

Nabataea.net: Petra: Arriving
Yahoo! Travel: Petra Vacation Information
Official Jordan Tourism Board site: VisitJordan.com
Frugal Fun: Petra: Jordan's Ancient and Mysterious Treasure
Wikitravel: Petra Travel Guide

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