Welcome to the vibrant Jordanian city Aqaba!
Located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea! The city convinces us with its interesting water sports, beautiful landscape, and rich history!
You will be amazed to explore Aqabaâs wonder, đ water parks, and some eye-catching natural sites!!
Excited to know more đ? Read this article freely and enjoy outstanding facts about this vibrant city in Jordan, Aqaba!!
Interesting Aqaba facts
Aqaba City: Its population and location
How about the âlocationâ facts as a starter??
Aqaba City is situated on the Gulf of Aqaba, which is located in the south of the nation.
The city had a population of 148,398 in the year 2015 and a land area of about 375 square kilometers.
Aqaba: The real old city
Age of the Aqaba City? It is another wonder to enjoy!!
Aqaba City has been inhabited since 4000 BC!!
From that time to today, it has been a fantastic city with many interesting things Jordan has to offer.
Those include excellent shopping experiences, fascinating history đ, hospitable residents, and many more.
This is due to the prime location of this city has made it a main pillar in the tourist sector of Jordan!!
Today, Aqaba is a calm coastal resort city where many people love to find solace during weekends!!
Sixth-tallest flag pole: It is in Aqaba
Have you heard about the sixth-tallest flag pole in the world?
Aqaba city is home to Aqaba Flagpole. It is famous as the sixth tallest free-standing flagpole around the globe.
It has a soaring height of 430 ft or 130 meters!!
It is a flag of the Arab revolt that commemorates the Battle of Aqaba that occurred in the year 1917.
Located at the Gulf of Aqaba leading into the Red Sea, this famous flagpole can be recognized from Egypt, Israel, and even Saudi Arabia.
Saraya Aqaba: The first water park in Aqaba
Little fun lovers, let me tell you an entertaining side of Aqaba!!
Within the popular landmark destination Saraya Aqaba, the city of Aqaba will get to enjoy its first water park!!
Aqaba City is a highly popular summer destination for many foreigners, including Jordanians.
With the addition of a highly desired water park đ, we can expect the city of Aqaba to become the perfect choice for entertainment for the people of Jordan as well as other fun-loving people!!
Petra: One of the seven wonders of the world is located in Aqaba
Do you wish to discover the secrets of one of the most valuable national treasures of Jordan, called Petra?
The place called Petra is home to the Nabataeans, an interesting, industrious Arab people who became its residents more than two millennia ago.
They had turned the place into a vital hub for several precious commodities, like spice, silk, đ˛and other trade routes that linked several countries like India, China, and southern Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Rome, and Greece.
Exploring Petra!
Now, take a look at the entrance of this world-famous site!!
The placeâs entrance is through a narrow gorge, the Siq, which is more than 1 km in length.
It is flanked on either side by almost 80 m high cliffs. We will definitely enjoy walking through this place!
Here we can even get to explore beautiful formations đ˛and colors of rocks.
Once you reach the end of the Siq, you will get to see the famous Al-Khazneh or Treasury.
People come to Aqaba and take a two-hour drive to Petra to experience one of the wonders of mankind.
The real low-tax and duty-free city: YesâŚ.it is Aquaba!
Do you know that Aqaba is known as Jordanâs Window to the Red Sea đ?
The city is administered by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority!
It has made Aqaba a duty-free, low-tax city, attracting multiple interesting projects, such as Saraya Aqaba, Ayla, Marsa Zayed, expansion of the Port of Aqaba, etc.
This strengthened the stature of the city on the world map!!
Wadi Rum in Aqaba: A unique desert wilderness
If you are an adventure lover like me, then this remarkable place in Aqaba will surely attract you!!
Less than just an hourâs drive from the city, Wadi Rum is a famous protected desert đľwilderness!!
Located in southern Jordan, Wadi Rum has fantastic sandstone mountains, like the many-domed Jebel Um Ishrin!!
It also has natural arches, like Burdah Rock Bridge.
We can see many prehistoric carvings and inscriptions in the rocky caverns and steep chasms in this place.
Aqaba City: It is historically significant
Little historians, you will be amazed to find out that the famous battle called The Battle of Aqaba đ˛ was fought for Aqabaâs Red Sea port.
It was fought on 6th July 1917!!
The leader of the attacking forces of the Arab Revolt was Auda Ibu Tayi, and the adviser was T.E. Lawrence.
They were victorious đ over the Ottoman forces.
The success of this incident allowed for the transport of forces to the north.
The reason is that there, they could again reinforce the advance with the British militaryâs logistical support.
Aqaba: The source of the cityâs name
Do you know what is the source of Aqabaâs name?
In ancient times, the name of the city was Elath, Ailath.
This name is derived from the Semitic name of a Pistacia tree, Modern Eilat!!
It was established in 1947, located almost 5 km northwest of Aqaba, and even got its name from the ancient settlement.
During the Hellenistic period, it was named Berenice.
However, the original name survived, and under the rule of the Romans, it was reintroduced in the form of Aila!
Still, the Crusaders called the city Elyn.
Assyrian Empire: They once ruled Aqaba
Do you know Aqaba was once under the rule of the Assyrian empire?
Around the time 735 BC, the city was conquered by the Assyrian empire.
Due to the wars, the trading routes were diverted to the city, and hence, the port experienced relative prosperity.
Aqaba: The Babylonians also ruled the city once!!
In 600 BC, the Babylonians conquered it.
You will be surprised to know that, during that time, the city witnessed good economic đ growth.
This growth is attributed to its rulersâ business background, who realized the importance of the location of this city.
Aqaba: It grew and prospered during the Hellenistic period
Letâs go back to the time when Aqaba prospered!!
The city of Aqaba once continued to prosper and grow by 300 BC!!
This means after the Wars of Alexandar the Great, đ˛which made it a notable trading hub by the time of the Greek rule.
According to a Greek historian, it was âone of the most crucial trading cities in the Arab.â It was even known as Berenice among the Ptolemaic Greeks.
Aqaba Church: Meet the worldâs oldest known purpose-built church
The church known as Aqaba Church was built between 293 and 303 under Roman rule!
You will be surprised to know that it is famous as the oldest known purpose-built church of Christians in the world.
By the time of Eusebius, Aela turned out to be the garrison of the Legio X Fretensis, which was actually moved from Jerusalem to Aela.
Aqaba City: The city with a hot desert climate
In the city of Aqaba, we will experience a hot âď¸ desert climate with hot, dry summers and warm winters.
Subzero temperatures can be seen every few years. It is not good, or rather deadly, for tropical plants like coconut trees.
The record low temperature was seen on 16 January, 2008, which was around minus 3.9 degrees Celsius.
Aqabaâs economy: Discover the hidden secrets
Let me tell you something about the status of Aqaba as a special economic zone of Jordan!!
The cityâs economy relies on the port and tourism industry sectors.
The economic growth in Aqaba is a lot higher than the average economic growth in the nation.
Under the status of a special economic zone, some trades and investments are exempted from taxation.
As a result of this, new housing developments, resorts, and also retail outlets are being constructed.
All of Jordanâs exports: Aqaba is the only way for it
Little sea lovers, you will be happy to know that the city of Aqaba is the only seaport in the country!!
Also, almost all exports of Jordan depart from here.
Heavy machinery industry is flourishing here, with regional assembly plants being placed in the city of Aqaba, like the Land Rover Aqaba Assembly Plant.
Tala Bay: It is an amazing luxury hotel that is worth exploring
Love luxury hotels like me? Then explore one of the most famous luxury hotels in Aqaba, such as the Tala Bay resort!
It is 20 km further to the south, and it serves those who come Aqaba for fun, along with enjoying scuba diving đ˛.
Also, it offers some activities which is perfect for its desert đŞ location.
Many of its coffee shops offer knafeh and mansaf, and also baqlawa desserts
Hammam: Enjoy the Turkish baths in Aqaba
Let us imagine taking a hot bath in a luxurious surrounding! It is quite fun, isnât it??
If you think like me, then you must enjoy the exciting Turkish bath đ˛, located in Aqaba!!
Built in 306 AD, it is the place where both foreigners and locals come to relax after a hot, tiring day.
Aqaba, and some of its dishes worth savoringâŚ
You will be amazed to know that Aqaba, Jordanâs only coastal city has created a distinctive cuisine compared to other Jordanian cities.
One very popular dish is Sayadeyah, đ¤¤which you will definitely love!!
It is a combination of fish, rice, and spices, a dish very popular among the coastal cities in Arab.
Another famous dish is Kishnah, in which tomatoes, fish, and onions đ¤¤are cooked together!
If you love meat, here is a popular meat dish is Bukhari, just for you đ!!
It is made up of meat, rice, ghee, hummus beans, and spices.
Conclusion
We hope! Knowing about the above Aqaba facts will satisfy your curious đsoul!!
As you already feel amazed to know about this fantastic city! Among the about facts! Which do you like the mostđ?
As we are already engaged, we would love to know your feedback!!
I’m a former teacher (and mother of Two Childs) with a background in child development. Here to help you with play-based learning activities for kids. ( Check my  Next startup Cledemy.Com)
