Ma'an Governorate, Administrative governorate in southern Jordan
Ma'an Governorate is an administrative region in southern Jordan with extensive desert and mountain landscapes. The territory is governed from the city of Ma'an and is divided into four administrative departments.
The region became a district under Ottoman administration in 1869 and was incorporated into the Emirate of Transjordan in 1925 after separating from the Hashemite State. This administrative shift marked a key transition in the area's modern political development.
The area contains major archaeological sites, including the Nabataean city of Petra with its structures carved into red sandstone cliffs. These ancient remains shape how local communities view their heritage and identity today.
Access to different parts of the region flows through the city of Ma'an, which serves as the main hub for visitors. The area is sparsely populated and travelers should expect longer driving times between destinations.
The Al-Jafr desert within the governorate served as the testing ground for ThrustSSC, the vehicle that broke the sound barrier and set the land speed record. This made the remote desert area an unexpected location for a technological achievement that redefined the limits of speed.
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