Badia is a classical Arabic word used to describe arid to semi-arid regions of the middle east, where rainfall averages less than 200mm, which today makes-up part of Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Desertification is a common fear, which threatens that region, causing degradation of resources and most painfully demographic displacement.

It extends from north to south in the eastern part of Jordan, covering about 80% of the country's total area. The total population of the Badia represents about 5% of the whole population of the country. Only 5% of the Badia population are still nomadic, the rest are now settled.

The region is subdivided into three geographical areas, as follows:

1. The northern Badia, comprises 26,000 km².

2. The middle Badia, comprises 10,000 km².

3. The southern Badia, comprises 38,000 km².

The Badia holds numerous and rich natural resources in quantities adequate for overall developmental requirements. Beside the vast area available for development, resources include mineral deposits, surface and ground water, touristic sites, sunny weather, renewable natural range and cultivable land suitable for improved agriculture and livestock production.

The area also has the potential for the development of non-pollutant renewable energy sources, namely, solar and wind energy. As the Badia extends into the borders of neighboring countries, there is the additional benefit of its being a junction for export-import activities at the regional level.

The remnants of more than 100 palaces, dams, reservoirs, cisterns and canals bear witness to the glorious cultures which flourished in this region throughout history. In the past this was made possible through the efficient utilization of available resources, including significant agricultural wealth, enabling civilizations to settle at various points of the major ancient trade routes spanning the Badia region.

The Badia provide Jordan with:

1. 60% of groundwater needs.

2. 90% of rangelands.

3. 10% of conventional energy.

4. 70% of the red meat needs.

5. 24.36% of GDP.

Some Touristic Sites in the Northern East Badia

Um Al Jimal

Deep in the heart of the "black badia", and 120 kms from Amman, Jordan lie the remains of the town of Um al Jimal.

The name "Um al Jimal" means "the Mother of Camels" and one is tempted to believe that it was an important commercial centre. But there is no real evidence for this: Um al Jimal was a village, and for a short time a Roman military outpost, that was abandoned in the ninth or tenth century, following plague, war, and finally a catastrophic earthquake. It is nevertheless in a remarkably good state of preservation, since the stones were never looted to use elsewhere as has been the case in so many other ancient towns.

ASEIKHIM

Qasr Aseikhim is located on a volcanic hill capped with lava some 70m above the surrounding lava fields in the Northern East of Jordan Badia; 15 km North East of Azraq. It overlooks to the south a wadi of the same name. The Qasr (Castle) used to be of an area of 23.5 by 23.5 square meters. It consisted of a courtyard structure of one story with ten surrounding rooms from all four sides of the courtyard, and a south side gate that gives access to the central courtyard. The Qasr was built of Basalt stone, with a wall thickness of one meter that consisted of double well-cut block of basalt, and a rubble core. The rooms had internal arches to support the basalt slabs. The structure went through the Nabateans (1st Century AD), the early and late Roman and late Byzantine periods up to the 7^th Century. This evidence was supported by surveying the datable pottery shreds that were found at the dump site south side of the hill.

JAWA

Jawa is located in the Northern East part of Jordan Badia, 15 km to the North West of the Safawi city, 1000 m above mean sea level. The settlement in the area went through the Mesolithic period (10,000 BC), and the Middle Bronze age (4,000 BC). The city used to be an urban settlement of considerable complexity, and an area of 22 acres. It consisted of a fortification, a town plan, and a sophisticated water system.

The upper town fortification consisted of long straight walls with occasional offsets. The wall was over 4m wide and battered on both faces, with a height of about 5m, including six gates. The lower town fortification that enclosed the gentler western and southern slopes had six gates in it. The Architecture was simple walls and roofs, and shelters against weather and fellowmen. The average dwelling size was about 50m² in both the upper and lower towns. The Jawaites have built their hydraulic system beside and upon wadi Rajil. Water systems at Jawa consisted of four parts: deflection areas, gravity canals, dams and pools, in addition the sluice gates and deflection walls. The Jawaites had knowledge in construction, irrigation, hydrology and designed settlements.

Qasr Burqu

North East of Azraq. It is located at the edge of the Harra basalt ranges by Wadi Miqat, the major water source. The Qasr used to be an area of 30 by 30-sequare meters, and consists of a central courtyard with ranges of rooms along the northeast and southeast sides. It consisted of a central towered structure of four stories (12m hight), surrounding rooms, and a NorthWest enclosure gateway. The tower masonry is different from those of the rest of the structure, suggesting different periods of occupation. The tower consists of three rectangular rooms of similar shape at the ground level, and two rooms at the upper two levels with an area of about 11 by 8 meters. The entrance to the tower was a defensive one, a window-like, narrow and low, and located at its West Side. The tower was built to secure water supply. A constructed dam that reserved water for the whole year around located the whole structure. The structure went through the Roman (defensive) and the Byzantine, (monastic) periods (3^rd and 4^th century), and up to the Umayyad peroid (pleasure) (7^th Century).