Jordan: A blend of ancient history and modern charm

Jordan, officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is a country in the southern Levant, in Western Asia. Bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south, and Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to the west, Jordan occupies a strategic crossroads in the Middle East. The country's geography is diverse, with the iconic Jordan River and the world's lowest point, the Dead Sea, on its western border. Much of the east and south is covered by the Arabian Desert, while highlands extend to the west. Jordan also has a small but significant coastline on the Red Sea to the southwest, where the port city of Aqaba is located. Amman, the bustling capital and largest city, is located in the northern highlands. The Hashemite Kingdom is a relatively young state, founded in the aftermath of World War I, but the territory it occupies has a rich and deep history, marked by many ancient civilizations. It is a constitutional monarchy with a hereditary ruler.