ECO & NATURE
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One of the Nature Trails in the Ajloun Reserve. | The large pine forest that stretches from Ajloun towards the north is a unique environmental resource, for it is the southernmost complete pine forest in the world. The area's cool forests, beautiful picnic areas, and extensive walking trails attract visitors throughout the April-October season, especially from the Gulf and other warmer regions of the Middle East.
The combination of the invigorating forests, clean air, cool summer temperatures, easy access from all northern Jordan, and a series of major antiquities sites make this a leading tourism destination, for both international and domestic tourists.
Ajloun Nature Reserve
The Ajloun Nature Reserve is located in the Ajloun highlands (North of Amman). It consists of Mediterranean-like hill country, dominated by open woodlands of Oak and Pistachio trees. The reserve was first established in 1988 when a captive-breeding programme for the Roe Deer was initiated.
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Camping facilities in the Reserve. | The reserve (13 sq. km) is located in an area named Eshtafeena. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature has set up two hiking trails and provides a special area for camping.
Ajloun's woodlands consist mostly of oak trees, interspersed with pistachio, pine, carob, and wild strawberry trees. These trees have long been important to local people for their wood, scenic beauty, and very often for medicine and food.
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Roe Deer. | The Roe Deer is adapted to forest habitat, and feeds on a variety of trees, shrubs and grasses. The rich Mediterranean-like forests that covered the Ajloun area provided an ideal habitat for millennia. However, deforestation and desertification over the past 200 years led to the decline in numbers of the Roe Deer. Three Roe Deer were introduced to the captive breeding enclosure in Ajloun in 1988, from a similar habitat in Turkey and numbers are now increasing.
The Persian Fallow Deer is another species that was once common in Jordan. This animal probably became extinct by the turn of the century although measures are in place to ensure their return to the local countryside. This species of deer derives its name from the old English word "falu", meaning "brownish-yellow", which describes the colour of its coat. |
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From the top of the castle, visitors you can enjoy panoramic views of the Jordan Valley.
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During the Mameluk rule, Qal'at al Rabadh was one of a network of beacons and pigeon posts that allowed messages to be transmitted from Damascus to Cairo in just 12 hours!
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Ajloun Castle protected the communication routes between south Jordan and Syria, and was one of a chain of forts, which lit beacons at night to pass signals from the Euphrates as far as Cairo.
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The castle is one of the best preserved and most complete examples of medieval Arab-Islamic military architecture.
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