aqaba is the only coastal city in jordan. it is the largest city among all the cities of the gulf of aqaba. it is located in the far south of the hashemite kingdom of jordan on the coast of the red sea, and is the center of the aqaba governorate. the city is about 330 kilometers south of the jordanian capital, amman. it is the fifth largest city in the kingdom with population estimations at 150,000 people. the city covers an area of 375 square kilometers (144.8 sq mi). aqaba plays a major role in the jordanian economy.