Jordan

Photo: A man sitting on a carved rooftop in Petra

The ancient Nabataean city of Petra is one of the world's greatest archaeological sites.

Photograph by Annie Griffiths Belt

The Hashemite desert kingdom was carved into existence between the rump of the oil-rich Saudi desert and the nascent state of Israel. • A land of sere beauty peopled by camel-herding Bedouin, it claimed no oil and few other resources. • At the crossroads of the Middle East, it plays a critical role in the region's rugged politics. • Abdullah was its first leader, but his grandson, King Hussein, ruling nearly five decades, brought peace and relative prosperity. • Tourism thrives, but Palestinian refugees from Israel and the West Bank strain resources. • Jordan today offers visitors everything from antiquities to world-class diving.

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