Wadi Rum may be best known for its connection with British officer T. E. Lawrence, who passed through several times during the Arab Revolt of 1917–18, which was made into a movie titled, “Lawrence of Arabia”. In contemporary times Wadi Rum was the location for the movie “The Martian” a Ridley Scott film starring Matt Damon; the actor was quoted, “I was in awe of that place. It was really, really special. One of the most spectacular and beautiful places I have ever seen, and like nothing I’ve ever seen anywhere else on Earth.” Known also as the Valley of the Moon, is a valley cut into the sandstone and granite rock in southern Jordan 60 km (37 mi) to the east of Aqaba; it is the largest wadi in Jordan. Wadi Rum or Wadi Ramm is believed to get its name from the early name of Iram of the Pillars, a lost city mentioned in the Quran.

Wadi Rum, Jordan

September 2022