The country of Jordan will soon gain another UNESCO World Heritage Site, adding to its current five sites.

As-Salt, an ancient agricultural historic town in west-central Jordan, is on the list to be nominated as a World Heritage Site. Jordan’s tourism minister Lina Annab is scheduled to head Jordan’s delegation to the 41^st session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, held July 5–12. A local team of specialized experts formed to follow up on the process in coordination with the Department of Antiquities and Salt Greater Municipality.

The town is on the old main highway leading from Amman to Jerusalem and is built in the crook of three hills, close to the Jordan Valley. One of the three hills, Jabal al-Qal’a, is the site of the 13-century ruined fortress. It was once the most important settlement in the area between Jordan Valley and the Eastern Desert. Because of its history as an important trading link between the Eastern Desert and the west, it was a significant place for the region’s rulers.

Jordan currently counts five World Heritage Sites: Petra, Um Arassas, Wadi Rum, the Baptism Site Bethany and Qusseir Amrah. Fourteen other sites are currently on the nomination list.