PETRA(JORDAN)
The site suffers from a host of threats, including collapse of ancient structures, erosion due to flooding and improper rainwater drainage, weathering from salt upwelling, improper restoration of ancient structures, and unsustainable tourism. The latter has increased substantially, especially since the site received widespread media coverage in 2007 during the controversial New Seven Wonders of the World Internet and cell phone campaign.
Continually voted the top attraction in Jordan, the “lost city” of Petra is often referred to as one of the ancient wonders of the world.
Petra Jordan is by far the best known tourist attraction in Jordan and is considered a national treasure. Now a UNESCO World heritage site, one of the ancient wonders of the world is located 3 hours south of Amman.
The site remained unknown to the Western world until 1812, when it was introduced by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt. It was described as "a rose-red city half as old as time" in a Newdigate Prize-winning poem by John William Burgon.
UNESCO has described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage. Petra was chosen by the BBC as one of "the 40 places you have to see before you die".
The Petra site reached new heights of fame when it featured in a 1989 Hollywood film, Indiana Jones and the last Crusade starring Harrison Ford and Sean Connery. Petra tours by night offer a uniquely magical experience as 2000 burning candles lead visitors through the underground rooms to the treasury
