Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the UK received a mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain separated out a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in the early 1920s, and the area gained its independence in 1946; it adopted the name of Jordan in 1950. The country's long-time ruler was King HUSSEIN (1953-99). A pragmatic leader, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large internal Palestinian population. Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel in the 1967 war and barely managed to defeat Palestinian rebels who threatened to overthrow the monarchy in 1970. King HUSSEIN in 1988 permanently relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank. In 1989, he reinstituted parliamentary elections and initiated a gradual political liberalization; political parties were legalized in 1992. In 1994, he signed a peace treaty with Israel. King ABDALLAH II, the son of King HUSSEIN, assumed the throne following his father's death in February 1999. Since then, he has consolidated his power and undertaken an aggressive economic reform program. Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in 2000, and began to participate in the European Free Trade Association in 2001. In 2003, Jordan staunchly supported the Coalition ouster of Saddam in Iraq and following the outbreak of insurgent violence in Iraq, absorbed thousands of displaced Iraqis. Municipal elections were held in July 2007 under a system in which 20% of seats in all municipal councils were reserved by quota for women. Parliamentary elections were held in November 2007 and saw independent pro-government candidates win the vast majority of seats. In November 2007, King ABDALLAH instructed his new prime minister to focus on socioeconomic reform, developing a healthcare and housing network for civilians and military personnel, and improving the educational system.

Amman — capital of the kingdom

The Roman Theatre

Entrance of JD1 also covers the folklore museum and popular culture museum.

A Roman-era Nymphaeum

An Ammonite-era watchtower

Citadel

The Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a) - located in the centre of both ancient and modern Amman.

Temple of Herakles

Roman period remains

Byzantine Church

Dating to the 5th-6th centuries

Ummayad Palace

Situated in the northern portion of the Citadel, entrance JD2. Offers a great view of Amman.

National Archaeological Museum

Situated on the Citadel, the museum is a small but interesting collection of antiquities from all over Jordan including some of the fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Darat al Funun

Darat al Funun or 'small house of the arts' in Jabal el Weibdeh, overlooking the heart of Amman, is housed in three adjacent villas from the 1920s (and the remains of a sixth-century Byzantine church built over a Roman Temple), it has a permanent collection and also holds changing exhibitions. In the same area there are other small art galleries and the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts.

Rainbow St

Rainbow St. near the 1st Circle in Jabal Amman is an interesting area to walk around and explore, it is named after the old Rainbow Cinema which is now out of use, but the area has been recently experiencing a revival with many of the old houses being restored and put into use, in the area there are some cafes and bars including Books@cafe and Wild Jordan both with great views, a Hammam, the Royal Film Commission which sometimes holds outdoor screenings on its patio and some interesting small shops.

Irbid — third largest city in the north of the kingdom

The Museum of Jordanian Heritage

Yarmouk University campus - considered by many the finest archeological museum in the country, designed in partnership with the German government. Somewhat difficult to find, however: Driving from Amman, turn left at the roundabout by the stadium, then right after 500 m (around the stadium), and you will see an entrance about 500 m on the left, with a museum sign. Check in with the officers at the gate and they will direct you to the museum, which is part of the University's Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Irbid Archaeological Museum

Department of Antiquities building, Al-Ma'amun Street, open daily, 8 am - 2 pm, except Fridays.

Natural History Museum

Open daily (except Tuesdays) 10 am - 5 pm winter time, and 10 am - 3 pm summer time. Exhibits Jordanian fauna and flora. Worth a visit.

Aqaba — located on the Gulf of Aqaba / Eilat, with links to the Sinai

Aqaba Fort

Aqaba Fort. Originally dating to the 14'th century, although the present structure was built by the Mamluke sultan Qansawh el-Ghawri (1501-1516) and has been revised many times since then.