Wadi Rum

• Wadi Rum, meaning ‘Valley of Sand’, is a valley located in Jordan, 37 miles (60 km) east of Aqaba.
• It is also known as the ‘Valley of the Moon’ and as the ‘Roman Valley’, because of the numerous Roman Ruins located in it. Wadi Rum was in the Province of Arabia Petraea.

History

• It was made famous by T.E. Lawrence who used it as a base during WWI, whilst making attacks on the Ottoman Army during the Arab Revolt of 1917-1918.
• It was possibly the location of a way station on the Incense Road, known as Aramava.
• The highest peak in Jordan, Jabal Umm ad Dami, at 6,040 ft (1,840m) is located 19 miles (30 km) south of the village of Wadi Rum.
• Nearby, is the second highest peak, Jebel Rum, at 5,687 ft (1,734 m).
• Wadi Rum is home to the Zalabia Bedouin Tribe.

Film Location

• Because of its dramatic desert landscape, Wadi Rum is frequently used in the making of science fiction films set on other planets.
  • Lawrence of Arabia (1962):
    • Most of this Movie was filmed in Wadi Rum, which Lawrence had actually used as a base for his attacks.
  • Red Planet (2000) 
    • Filmed in Wadi Rum to resemble the surface of Mars.
  • Last days on Mars (2013)
    • (Ditto)
  • The Martian (2015)
    • (Ditto)
  • Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
    • The Valley of the Moon, represented the moon of Jedha.
  • The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
    • Wadi Rum represents the fictional planet Pasaana.

Wadi Rum, Jordan