Question

In which country is the ancient city of Petra located? A) Egypt B) Jordan C) Syria D) Lebanon

Answer 1

Answer: B) Jordan

Explanation:

The ancient city of Petra is located in Jordan, making option B the correct answer. This magnificent archaeological site lies in the southern part of Jordan, specifically in the Ma'an Governorate, near the town of Wadi Musa.

Petra, also known as the "Rose City" due to the pink-colored sandstone from which it was carved, was the capital city of the ancient Nabataean Kingdom. The Nabataeans were skilled Arab traders who controlled important trade routes between Arabia, Egypt, and the Mediterranean world from around the 4th century BCE to the 1st century CE.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its remarkable rock-cut architecture and sophisticated water management system. The most iconic structure in Petra is Al-Khazneh (The Treasury), which features an elaborate facade carved directly into the cliff face. Other notable structures include the Monastery, the Royal Tombs, and the Great Temple.

Petra was "lost" to the Western world for many centuries until it was rediscovered by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. Today, it serves as Jordan's most visited tourist attraction and was designated as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

The other options mentioned in the question - Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon - are all neighboring countries in the Middle East region, but they do not house this particular ancient wonder. Egypt is famous for its pyramids and ancient Egyptian civilization, Syria has historical sites like Palmyra and Damascus, and Lebanon contains ancient cities like Baalbek, but Petra belongs exclusively to Jordan's rich cultural heritage.