Scenery
Dana Reserve straddles the very edge of the Great Rift Valley. It is Jordan's largest nature reserve, covering 320 square kilometres of varying and spectacular scenery.
The shark-tooth mountain ridges fall from a height of 1600 meters down intricate cliffs and canyons of sandstone, limestone and granite that have been strangely cut by millennia of winds. When the land finally levels out, 100 meters below sea level, the desert provides its own raw beauty.
Biodiveristy
This gives Dana an unusual wealth of different animal, insect, flora and bird life, as the altitude and topography change means the reserve spans four distinct eco-zones, from the Mediterranean environment of the mountains, through Irano-Turanian and Sudanian to the Saharo Arabian desert plains of Wadi Arabi.
As well as resident species of birds, Dana is on the major migratory routes between Asia, Europe and Africa, making it especially interesting for birdwatchers.
Culture
Dana has cultural as well as natural treasures. There is evidence of human habitation dating back to Palaeolithic times and Dana village itself is believed to be over 400 years old. The enchanting and picturesque hamlet had suffered from outward migration but tourism in the park has revived its fortunes.
Fruits grown organically in its terraced gardens are now hand processed into jams at a small workshop, high quality silver jewellery with nature-inspired designs are crafted by local women and goat skins are made into picture frames. In total, the park employs over 70 people, the vast majority originally from Dana village or nearby communities.
Read more about national parks in Jordan and the Dana Village walking trail
Dana Reserve straddles the very edge of the Great Rift Valley. It is Jordan's largest nature reserve, covering 320 square kilometres of varying and spectacular scenery. The shark-tooth mountain ridges fall from a height of 1600 meters down intricate cliffs and canyons of sandstone, limestone and granite that have been strangely cut by millennia of winds. When the land finally levels out, 100 meters below sea level, the desert provides its own raw beauty.
Biodiveristy
This gives Dana an unusual wealth of different animal, insect, flora and bird life, as the altitude and topography change means the reserve spans four distinct eco-zones, from the Mediterranean environment of the mountains, through Irano-Turanian and Sudanian to the Saharo Arabian desert plains of Wadi Arabi. As well as resident species of birds, Dana is on the major migratory routes between Asia, Europe and Africa, making it especially interesting for birdwatchers.
| Eco-guide Saleh Arfou talks about Dana Reserve "The nature itself here is rich and it attracts you. All the creatures, they invite you to love this place" [3:15] |
Culture
Dana has cultural as well as natural treasures. There is evidence of human habitation dating back to Palaeolithic times and Dana village itself is believed to be over 400 years old. The enchanting and picturesque hamlet had suffered from outward migration but tourism in the park has revived its fortunes.
Fruits grown organically in its terraced gardens are now hand processed into jams at a small workshop, high quality silver jewellery with nature-inspired designs are crafted by local women and goat skins are made into picture frames. In total, the park employs over 70 people, the vast majority originally from Dana village or nearby communities.
Read more about national parks in Jordan and the Dana Village walking trail 
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