Center-pivot agriculture taps into deep layers of water to irrigate potatoes, which are just a week from being harvested just outside the northern border of Wadi Rum nature preserve.
Wadi Rum was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in June 2011. The Wadi Rum protected area, 300 kilometers south of Amman, encompasses 720 square kilometers of desert wilderness with distinctive mountains and sandy valleys that are home to Bedouin tribes and a range of desert wildlife, including the Arabian Oryx. Archaeological finds in the area indicate that Wadi Rum has been inhabited as far back as prehistoric times, with its unique landscapes and water sources offering a place of refuge for those travelling from the Gulf to the Levant. Wadi Rum has also been the location for films including Lawrence of Arabia and Red Planet.
