Amman the capital is a modern, safe, and friendly city. No more than a five hour drive from anywhere in the country, it is a convenient place to base your tour from. Known as Rabbath - Amman during prehistoric periods and later as Philadelphia, the ancient city that was once part of the Decapolis league, now boasts a population of around 1.5 million. Often referred to as the white city due to its canvas of white stone houses, Amman offers a variety of historical sites including the Citadel and the magnificent Roman Theatre. Amman also contains an impressive array of restaurants, bars and shopping areas