Carved into vibrant Sandstone in the Jordanian southwest, the prehistoric city of Petra emerges as one of the world's 7 wonders. Featuring an array of extravagant stone sculptures, it has become one of the world's most appealing tourist destinations, attracting just under a million tourists in 2022.

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Unlike other archaeological sites, Petra features diverse wonders that can't be categorized. It is home to the ruins of temples, palaces, tombs, markets, theaters, churches and even homes. This is because, at its peak, 2,000 years ago, Petra was a bustling, lively city, and home to between 20,000 and 30,000 people.​

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Built with the riches Bedouins of the area had amassed from trading, Petra has always had a certain grandeur about it. The city continued to thrive after being annexed by the Roman Empire in the second century AD, until trade routes started shifting away. Then, in 363 AD, the city suffered an earthquake that devastated its infrastructure and destroyed its irrigation systems. As a result, the city was near-deserted by 700 AD.

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After Petra's fall, the city became abandoned and unknown to all but local populations. Until, in 1812, Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt caught wind of the stories of Petra. After his visit, he wrote of the beautiful landscapes and sculptures he had seen. Slowly, his story spread, and other European tourists began to visit the once-forgotten area.

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Today, Petra is a jewel of the Arab world's historic jewels. Alongside sites like Hegra and Egypt's pyramids, Petra attracts a large share of the tourists that visit the region, giving each of whom an experience to write home about. From jaw-dropping scenery to eye-opening history, Petra has it all.