With its balmy winter climate and idyllic setting, Aqaba is
Jordan's year-round aquatic playground. In winter, while Amman shivers around
5 °C (41 °F), the temperature hovers steadily at about 25 °C (77 °F)
in Aqaba. The thriving underwater marine life and the crystal clear waters
of the Gulf of Aqaba make diving conditions there among the acknowledged best
in the world. Snorkeling, water skiing, windsurfing, fishing and other water
sports are also popular.
For the history enthusiast, Aqaba contains sites reflecting
human habitation back to 4000 BCE, resulting from the city's strategic location
at the junction of trading routes between Asia, Africa and Europe. According
to the Bible, "King Solomon also built ships in Ezion-Geber, which is near
Elath in Edom, on the shores of the Red Sea". This verse from the Old Testament
(1 Kings 9: 26) probably refers to an Iron Age port city on the same ground
as modern Aqaba. The name Elath refers to the Israeli town of Eilat. The Queen
of Sheba (ancient Yemen) traveled from Jerusalem to the port city of Ezion
Geber to visit the splendorous court of King Solomon in the tenth century BCE
(1 Kings 10: 1-13).
In one of the most exciting discoveries in recent times,
archeologists working in Aqaba have unearthed what they believe to be the
world's
oldest church. Dating from the late third century CE, the 26 x 16 meters structure
is thought to be the oldest building built specifically as a church. It is
slightly older than the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and the
Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, both of which date from the fourth century.
The church is found on a plot of land east of Istiqlal Street, near the parking
lot of the JETT bus station.
Trading routes developed connecting Aqaba with southern Arabia and Yemen, and
the town grew into a thriving city. The Nabateans populated the region extensively,
drawn by the strategic trading location of Aqaba. In Roman times, the great
Via Nova Triana came down from Damascus through Amman to Aqaba, where it connected
with a west road leading to Palestine and Egypt.
The early days of the Islamic era saw the construction of the city of Ayla,
which was described by the geographer Shams Eddin Muqaddasi as situated next
to the true settlement, which was lying in ruins closeby. The ruins of Ayla,
unearthed in the mid-1980s by a American-Jordanian archeological team, are
a few minutes walk north along the main waterfront road.
The Crusaders occupied the area in the 12th century and built their fortress
of Helim, which remains relatively well-preserved today. The Aqaba fort was
rebuilt in the 14th century under one of the last Mamluk sultans, Qansah al-Ghouri,
and has been substantially altered several times since then. The Hashemite
Coat of Arms was placed above the main doorway during the Great Arab Revolt
of World War I, after the Turks were driven out of the city. The fort is open
daily and entrance is free.
In addition to building a stronghold within Aqaba, the Crusaders fortified
the small island of Ile de Graye, now known as Pharoah's Island, about seven
kilometers offshore. The island, which is now in Egyptian territorial waters,
can be reached via tour excursions which leave from the Aquamarina Hotel.
By 1170, both Aqaba and the island had been conquered by Salah Eddin. The Mamluks
took over in 1250, but by the beginning of the sixth century they had been
overtaken by the Ottoman Empire. The city then declined in status, and for
400 years or so it remained a simple fishing village of little significance.
During World War I, however, Ottoman forces were forced to withdraw from the
town after a raid by Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab forces of Sharif Hussein.
The capture of Aqaba helped open supply lines from Egypt up to Arab and British
forces afield further north in Transjordan and Palestine.
In 1965, King Hussein traded 6000 square kilometers of Jordanian desert to
Saudi Arabia for another 12 kilometers of prime coastline to the south of Aqaba.
This gave Jordan's only port room to expand and added the magnificent Yamanieh
coral reef to the Kingdom's list of treasures.
Marine Life and Coral Reefs
The Gulf of Aqaba is renowned worldwide as a tourist's paradise overflowing
with wildlife and adventure. It hosts about 110 species of soft corals, 120
species of hard corals and over 1000 species of fish. Sting and manta rays,
clown, angel, butterfly and lionfish, and occasionally turtles, eels, sea cows,
and dolphins are spotted amid the resort's exquisite coral reefs.
The absence of stormy weather, along with the mild water currents contribute
to clear waters, one of Aqaba's exceptional environmental conditions.
Warm, clear waters provide a hospitable environment for the growth of corals,
and favorable salinity levels provide an environment for myriad varieties of
marine-life forms.
Contrary to what many people think, corals are not plants but very delicate
animals. Due to their slow rate of growth (about 1 cm/year), the corals that
are seen today in the Gulf are centuries old.
Besides being a main tourist attraction, the coral reef plays an important
role in supporting the survival of various life forms. Thousands of marine
creatures coexist in a complex ecosystem ranging form almost invisible species
to huge fish and mammals.
The warm waters of Aqaba provide a perfect habitat for an array of unique
and dazzlingly colored fish. Due to Aqaba's transparent waters, this rainbow
of colors can be experienced without even having to enter the water! The shores
of the Gulf are also frequented with friendly sea turtles that spend their
time swimming amongst the swirling schools of fish.
Corals, coral fish, reptiles and mammals are only a few to be named of the countless
marine creatures living in the waters of Aqaba. Nocturnal animals such as the
crab, shrimp and lobster come alive in search of food in the dark hours of the
night.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
The Gulf of Aqaba is a world known diving area and a natural haven for scuba
diving, snorkeling and scientific exploration. It offers eager divers a great
chance to experience virgin coral reefs, rare marine life forms, and encounters
with friendly sea animals like turtles and dolphins. The Gulf's average water
temperature of 23 degrees Celsius allows water-activity oriented tourist to
enjoy the sea year round.
The Red Sea's unique marine ecosystem includes about 110 species of soft
corals, 120 species of hard corals and countless varieties of brightly colored
fish and other invertebrates, some of which are unique to the region, creating
a colorful kaleidoscope. This, combined with the Gulf's depth and its isolation
of sea currents, which minimize turbulence and improve visibility, make it
one of the most rewarding scuba diving and snorkeling spots in the world.
Aqaba's climate makes it a refreshing location for year-round diving. The
water temperature averages 22.5°C (72.5°F) in winter and 26°C (78.8°F) in summer.
The prevailing northern winds from Wadi Araba keep the water surface shimmering
clean, and the flows within the gulf ensure transparent waters.
Aqaba's Royal Diving Center and several other qualified dive operates offer complete
diving services including PADI and BSAC courses, equipment rental and fully supervised
dives. For those who prefer to see marine life at arm's length, glass bottomed
boats can be easily rented.
Aqaba Special Economic Zone
The Government of Jordan has embarked on an aggressive reform strategy to
position Jordan within the global economy. A key initiative in this strategy
was the establishment of Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) in January 2001
as a liberalized, low-tax, duty-free, and multi-sectoral development area.
The Zone covers approximately 375 km2 and includes the land borders of Israel
and Saudi Arabia extending to the territorial waters of Egypt. The Zone, which
incorporates the City of Aqaba with a population of approximately 70.000 people,
has all the physical and social infrastructure and utilities to serve as a
flourishing city.
Strategically situated at the crossroads of four countries and three continents
and encompassing Jordan's entire coastline, the ASEZ is served by both a deep-water
seaport and an international airport. The existing deep-water port can accommodate
ships handling a wide variety of cargoes, including dry bulk vessels of 75.000
DWT and container vessels of Panamax size.
The port also has a separate passenger terminal servicing cruise and passenger
ships. Aqaba International Airport is one of three airports in Jordan and can
accommodate all classes of commercial and passenger aircraft. A network of
modern highways connects Aqaba to the surrounding region.
Investment Opportunities
Potential investment opportunities are available in industrial sector, services
(location-based services as will as professional services) and tourism and
cultural experiences to the visitor, investor, and resident alike.
Aqaba forms an integral part of Jordan's Golden Tourism Triangle, highlighting
the natural and man-made wonders of Petra, the magnificent desert and cliffs
of Wadi Rum, and stunning coral reefs of Aqaba. In shorts, Aqaba's natural endowments
make it an attractive destination for tourism, thus an ideal location for investment
in this sector.
Recreational Facilities
With its tranquil, clear waters and thriving marine populations, Aqaba is ideal
for divers as well as casual water sports enthusiasts. As the Gulf of Aqaba
is an inland sea with few strong currents, its waters remain warm and clear
throughout most of the year. Conditions are ideal for underwater photography,
and a lavish array of exotic fish and plant life makes for excellent snorkeling
and diving. Over 140 species of coral have been identified in Aqaba's waters.
There are several diving centers in Aqaba, the most prominent of which are
the Aquamarina I Hotel (tel. 03-201-6275), the government-run Royal Diving
Center (tel. 03-201-7035), and the Seastar Watersports Center in the Al-Cazar
Hotel (tel. 03-201-4131). The Aquamarina I also offers a number of other aquatic
activities, including windsurfing, waterskiing, and, for the less adventurous,
paddle-boats. A new diving area is being developed near the Saudi border near
the world-famous Yamanieh coral reef. This complex, known as the South Coast,
will have an assortment of hotels, parks, restaurants and watersport facilities.
For up-to-date information on where to go to enjoy your favorite aquatic activities
in Aqaba, the Aqaba Visitors Center (tel. 03-201-3731) is located behind the
Aqaba fort by the waterfront. The office is open daily from 08:00 to 16:00,
and closed on Tuesday. Located in back of the Visitors Center, the Aqaba Museum
displays a number of exhibits and plenty of information on the old city. The
museum was once home to Sharif Hussein bin Ali, great-grandfather of King Hussein.
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