Entering the ancient city of Petra: the carved facade of the Khazneh (treasury)

Jordan is a small and peaceful country that shares its border with two Middle Eastern hotspots - Iraq and Israel.

The playgrounds of Lawrence of Arabia and Indiana Jones, as well as the setting for many a sensational biblical story, Jordan is today a relatively underappreciated tourism destination.

With its magnificent desert canyons, buzzing souk (market) in the capital Amman, the awesome forgotten city of Petra carved into a wall of sandstone, the Islamic architecture of the Ar-Rabad Castle, the ruins of the ancient city of Jerash and the Wadi Rum wilderness, Jordan boasts some of the Middle East's most compelling sights.

The Dead Sea is one of Jordan's prime attractions, located nearly 3,000 feet below sea level and is the lowest point on Earth. Its high salt content makes floating practically effortless and the Dead Sea is also believed to have healing properties.

The Gulf of Aqaba is one of the region's premier spots for snorkelling and diving, boasting a spectacular coral reef filled with colourful tropical fish.

Jordan also has a number of wildlife refuges that are home to hyenas, gazelles and Arabian oryxes, as well as wetland refuges frequented by migratory birds.

Survival guide

Jordan is primarily desert, which means it experiences hot and dry summers, although it often cools right down in the evenings. Winters are generally mild, although it has been known to snow in Amman and Petra.