Perched on the edge of the Arabian Desert, Petra was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to A.D. 40).
Petra is famous for its many stone structures such as a 138-foot-tall (42-meter-tall) temple carved with classical facades into rose-colored rock. The ancient city also included tunnels, water chambers, and an amphitheater, which held 4,000 people.
The desert site wasn't known to the West until Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt came across it in 1812.
Jordan has taken the New7Wonders competition seriously. Petra is an important attraction in a country where tourism has recently suffered due to troubles in the Middle East region, particularly in neighboring Iraq.
The Jordanian royal family backed a campaign promoting Petra's selection.
译文:
约旦佩特拉古城
约旦佩特拉古城建立于阿拉伯沙漠的边缘，佩特拉是Nabataean王国亚里达王四世（King Aretas IV）时期的首都（公元前9世纪到公元40世纪）。
佩特拉以其石头建筑而享誉全球，例如它138英尺高（42米高）的宫殿是玫瑰色的石头堆砌出来的。这个古老的城市也有地道、水室和一个可以容纳4000人的竞技场。
直到1812年瑞士探险家Johann Ludwig Burckhardt探索到这里，西方才知道沙漠中有此圣地。
约旦很认真的看待这次七大奇迹的选举。即便中东地区局势混乱，佩特拉又是伊拉克的邻国，但是它还是吸引了许多游客前往游览。
约旦皇室家族为此次佩特拉参选做坚强的后盾。