Wadi Rum Protected Area (The Valley of the Moon)
Wadi Rum was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011 as a mixed (natural and cultural) site, meeting Criteria (iii), (v), and (vii) for its outstanding universal value.
Introduction
Located in southern Jordan near the Saudi border, approximately 315 km from Amman, Wadi Rum covers a vast area of 74,200 hectares. The site is renowned for its diverse desert landscapes, featuring narrow canyons, natural stone arches, towering cliffs, steep ramps, and numerous caves, along with massive fallen rock fragments.
The site bears witness to 12,000 years of human occupation and interaction with the natural environment. This is evidenced by the discovery of 25,000 petroglyphs (rock carvings) and 20,000 inscriptions, which document the evolution of human thought and the early development of the alphabet. Furthermore, the site illustrates the progression of pastoral, agricultural, and urban activities in the region.
Outstanding Universal Value
The exceptional significance of Wadi Rum is dual-faceted:
- Natural Values: The landscape is a spectacular display of continental sandstone landforms. These were shaped over millions of years by tectonic activity and surface processes, including intense weathering and erosion. The result is a dramatic scenery that represents millions of years of continuous geological evolution.
- Cultural Values: The rock art, inscriptions, and archaeological remains provide an unparalleled record of human interaction with the desert environment over millennia. They reflect the evolution of pastoral and agricultural life in the Arabian Peninsula and provide a unique window into the region's long-term environmental history.
For more information and details, please see the World Heritage Centre page at the following link:
whc.unesco.org/en/list/1377