Street View is one of Google Maps’ most powerful features, it lets you see several places like streets or public spots and move around them as if you were there. It is available in many platforms including desktop browsers and mobile devices thanks to its stand-alone app. This is possible by stitching many pictures together and those pictures are taken with several vehicles or devices with special camera systems. Images from Ecuador and Bolivia became available recently and now, we get a chance to visit several historical sites from Jordan, including the ancient city of Petra, thanks to the camera system integrated into the Trekker wearable backpack.
This approach is very interesting as we get to learn a little something about the history of this particular country and perhaps helping understand their culture while admiring the beautiful craftsmanship in some of the ancient architecture provided by the imagery. With Street View, we can visit the Silk Road which made it possible to commerce between some regions, as well as some religious sites like Mount Nebo and the River Jordan. Unsurprisingly, the capital of the Nabataean kingdom known as the Red-Rose city of Petra is one of the main highlights of the country, as it was hand carved in the mountain gorges and cliffs where it’s located. It’s as large as the lower side of Manhattan and it has survived some earthquakes and other phenomena over 2,000 years. Google even created a narrated tour which includes the path and its geological formations to get into the magnificent Treasury and it also includes a theater with 8,000 seats, some beautifully carved tombs, temples and the Monastery Al-Dier, some details can be clicked on to get more information.
Jerash is another important highlight as it features Roman architecture, which can be appreciated in its streets, palaces, temples and theaters. Holy sites like the Mount Nebo are also available and interesting pieces like the Madaba Mosaic Map (the oldest geographic floor mosaic in art history) can be seen with Street View. The Amman Citadel is one of the oldest inhabited places and some castles are also available to view. Even the Dead Sea can be seen and some of the museums of those historic places can be visited as well.