Due to the scarcity of water in Wadi Araba, the imposing mountains, and the limited passes, only a few scattered fortresses were needed to protect this frontier from anyone who might want to invade.  

It was in these imposing mountains that the Nabataeans chose to build their capital city, the incredible "Petra," often called the eighth wonder of the ancient world.

Click the pictures above and to the left to see more awesome views of the mountain gorges along the western border of Nabataea.