The capital of Jordan, Amman is a modern city which is often overlooked by toruists, but it is worth spending some time to explore the history and culture of the city.
Although the modern city was only founded in the 20th century, Amman lies on the site of the Roman city of Philadelphia, and was still a major urban centre when captured by the Arabs. The Roman Theatre and Umayyad Palace attest to this ancient history, and more of the ancient history of this region can be found in the city's excellent Archeological Museum.
The modern city sprawls over a series of hills (known as "jabal" or mountains) after which the various districts are named. Much of the interest for tourist is focused in the older downtown region around the old Souk (a colorful traditional market) and the King Hussein Mosque. Although the downtown area, known locally as the Balad, has been completely dwarfed by the sprawling urban areas that surround it, it still retains much of its old character. For those seeking the atmosphere of the Old City, it is best to venture to the district east of Jabal Amman. There, in the bustle of daily life, you can explore the capital's greatest souqs, fine museums, ancient constructions, monuments, and cultural sites.
