Wadi Rum

A panorama of Wadi Rum

A sandstone monument in Wadi Rum

29°34′35.40″N 35°25′11.74″E

Wadi Rum (Arabic: وادي رم) is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southwest Jordan. It is the largest wadi in Jordan. The name Rum most likely comes from an Aramaic root meaning 'high' or 'elevated'. To reflect its proper Arabic pronunciation, archaeologists transcribe it as Wadi Ramm.

History

Wadi Rum has been inhabited by many human cultures since prehistoric times, with many cultures — including the Nabateans — leaving their mark in the form of rock paintings, graffiti, and temples. As of 2007, several Bedouin tribes inhabit the area.

In the West, Wadi Rum may be best known for its connection with British officer T. E. Lawrence, who based his operations here during the Arab Revolt of 1917–18. One of the impressive rock formations in Wadi Rum was named "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom" by Lawrence. Years later, Lawrence chose this evocative title for the memoirs he penned in the aftermath of the war.

The area was "discovered" as a climbing area in 1984 by Tony Howard, Di Taylor, Mick Shaw, and Al Baker. Howard and Taylor have since written two guidebooks: Treks & Climbs in Wadi Rum and Jordan - Walks, Treks, Caves, Climbs & Canyons, both published by Cicerone Press.

Tourism

The area is now also one of Jordan's important tourist destinations, and attracts an increasing number of foreign tourists. In contrast, there are almost no local or Arab tourists. Popular activities in the desert environment include camping under the stars, riding Arab horses, hiking and rock-climbing amongst the massive rock formations. Jabal Rum (1754 metres above sea level) is the highest peak in the area, and the second-highest peak in Jordan. On a clear day, it is possible to see the Red Sea and the Saudi border from the top.

The influx of tourists to this once isolated area has substantially increased the financial fortunes of the Bedouin people, and it is not uncommon to see locals using mobile phones and driving expensive four-wheel drive vehicles.

The village of Wadi Rum consists of several hundred Bedouin inhabitants with their goat-hair tents and concrete houses, a school, a few shops, and the headquarters of the Desert Patrol.

Filming location

The area has been used as a background setting in a number of films:

• Lawrence of Arabia - David Lean filmed much of this 1962 film on location in Wadi Rum.

• Red Planet - Wadi Rum was used as the surface of Mars in this 2000 film.

• Passion in the Desert - The area was also used for scenes in this 1998 film.

• The Face - BBC Film, Rock climbing in Rum

Images

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Links

• Wadi Rum Rock page
• Photos From Wadi Rum
• Wadi rum photo pool
• Wadi Rum photo gallery, natural formations, and scenery