Golden Jackal - Jordan

The Dead Sea is 427 meters below sea level, making it the lowest point on earth. The lake has a surface area of about 600 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 306 meters. It is situated in the Jordan Rift Valley and fed by the Jordan River. With a salinity of 34%, the Dead Sea’s ability to support local animal life is limited.

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Canis aureus - The golden jackal shares a common feature with the coyote and fox; it is able to adapt itself to changing situations. This ability has allowed the jackal to survive in a rapidly changing environment of closer contact with encroaching human activity. The golden jackal feeds on a wide variety of food items ranging from fruit to small insects and mammals. The basic social unit of the jackal consists of a breeding pair and their offspring; sometimes juveniles or non-breeding adults will remain with the group to assist in rearing new litters.

Common Fig - Jordan

Ficus carica - Native to the Middle East, the common fig was one of the first cultivated plants and continues to be a vital food crop to the region. The plant sinks deep roots to find sources of water and it has the ability to tolerate seasonal droughts, an ideal trait for thriving in the dry climates of the Middle East. In a process called “mutualism,” the common fig provides the fig wasp food and shelter while the fig wasp pollinates the plant; it is the only source of pollination for the common fig tree.

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The archaeological city of Petra, located in Jordan’s Ma'an Province, features impressive examples of rock-cut architecture. The Al Khazneh, translated as “treasury,” was excavated out of solid sandstone beginning in the first century and during the reign of King Aretas IV Philopatris. The city of Petra served as the capital for the Nabataeans, an ancient Arab people inhabiting the area. The building’s original intent was to serve as a mausoleum, but when construction was completed, it was used as a temple.