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The
Gulf of Aqaba
The coastal city
of Aqaba communicates to the visitor both
its striking beauty and grace. Touching
the Red Sea are a series of peaceful mountains
and a riveting desert reflecting onto
the clear blue waters. The northeastern
arm of the Red Sea, called the Gulf of
Aqaba, measures a length of 180 km and
expands to a width of 25 km with 27 km
of the shoreline belonging to Jordan.
The rest of the shoreline is shared with
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. A boat
ride to the centre of the Gulf provides
a visitor with an outstanding view of
all four shoreline countries!
The Gulf
of Aqaba is renowned worldwide as a tourist's
paradise overflowing with wildlife and
adventure. It hosts about 110 species
of soft corals, 120 species of hard corals
and over 1000 species of fish. The city
of Aqaba itself is a natural haven for
scuba diving, snorkelling or scientific
exploration, and is bound to keep any
visitor busy. Aqaba's average water temperature
of 23 degrees Celsius allows the water-activity
oriented tourist to enjoy the sea year
round.
Marine
Life
The
absence of stormy weather, along with
the mild water currents contribute to
clear waters, one of Aqaba's exceptional
environmental conditions. Warm, clear
waters provide a hospitable environment
for the growth of corals, and favourable
salinity levels provide an environment
for myriad varieties of marine-life forms.
Spectacular
Coral Reefs
Contrary
to what many people think, corals are
not plants but very delicate animals.
Due to their slow rate of growth (about
1 cm/year), the corals that are seen today
in the Gulf are centuries old.
Besides
being a main tourist attraction, the coral
reef plays an important role in supporting
the survival of various life forms. Thousands
of marine creatures coexist in a complex
ecosystem ranging from almost invisible
species to huge fish and large mammals.
The warm
waters of Aqaba provide a perfect habitat
for an array of unique and dazzlingly
coloured fish. Due to Aqaba's clear waters,
this rainbow of colours can be seen without
even having to enter the water by looking
down from a boat.
The shores
of the Gulf are also frequented with friendly
sea turtles that spend their time swimming
amongst the swirling schools of fish.
Harmless whale sharks, dolphins, and sea
cows are also often spotted visiting the
gulf.
Corals,
coral fish, reptiles and mammals are only
some to be named of the countless marine
creatures living in the waters of Aqaba.
Nocturnal animals such as the crab, shrimp
and lobster come alive in search of food
in the dark hours of the night.
Preserve
Aqaba
Although
the Gulf of Aqaba provides the perfect
habitat for more than a thousand fish
species, the existing marine ecosystems
are fragile and in danger.
Over
fishing, industrial activities, improper
diving attitudes like stepping on coral
and feeding fish, and careless anchoring
create a threat to the natural balance
and sustainability of the reef's ecosystem.
Concerned
divers, tourists and even the everyday
beach goer can chip in and do their bit
in protecting this natural treasure created
of centuries. By simply abiding to general
common sense rules, one can help preserve
the marine life of Aqaba for generations
to come.
Getting
there:
Aqaba
via the Dead Sea road is about 4 hours
drive from Amman, along the Desert Highway
also 4 hours and the scenic King's Highway
5 hours.
Organized
bus tours as well as daily flights to
Aqaba are available. You can also take
a service taxi from Wihdat Station at
al-Sharq al-Awsat circle in south Amman.
These taxi trips are not scheduled. Taxis
start their trips as soon as they are
full with passengers.
IMPORTANT
SITES
1-
ASEZA
2- Radisson SAS Hotel
3- Aquamarina I Hotel
4- Old Church
5- Movenpick Aqaba
6- Golden Tulip Hotel
7- Aqaba Gulf Hotel
8- Royal Yacht Club
9- Aqaba Municipality
10- Domina Aquamarina II Hotel
11- Jordan National Shipping Lines
12- Princess Haya Hospital
13- Health Directorate
14- Fire Department
15- Domina Aquamarina III Hotel
16- Petra International Hotel
17- Police Station
18- Crystal Hotel
19- Aqaba Mamluke Fort
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