Amman - The White City

The capital of Jordan - Amman, located in the north, the hilly upland of the same name. This city with 2,5 - million population is one of the oldest in the world was inhabited by people five thousand years ago. Amman is a must-see destination on a journey to the Middle East. Despite the fact that there is no large number of ancient monuments, it is an excellent starting point from which to explore the northern region of Jordan. Amman, mentioned in the Old Testament as Rabbath - Ammon, capital of the ammonites, known in the ancient Roman era Philadelphia, was originally built on seven hills, like unto his ancient Rome. Lasted for centuries the city's development has led to what today is already 19 Amman hills. Certain areas of the city have names taken from the original names of the hills. The most important area is the Jabal Amman, where the majority of embassies and hotels. When - the Amman because of its particular building was called the "White City". On steep hills are closely huddled together, once a dazzling white, and subsequently became gray - white houses with flat roofs. This type buildings, typical of tropical regions, making Amman similar to other cities located in the desert, which can be found in Mali and Nigeria. Complementing this image is randomly built up a center where slender minarets, bustling bazaars, shops with oriental sweets and the ruins of ancient buildings coexist with modern buildings, trendy boutiques and hotels of international networks. There are a lot of cars, drivers are completely oblivious to the rules, not sparing when it beeps, crowded with pedestrians and residents on each street of the city, shouting, making deals. This is the modern Amman, a city of contrasts.