With a population of almost three million people, Amman is the largest city and capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Amman is a modern and cosmopolitan city that is a great base for discovering this historic region. Amman is extremely well connected to a variety of destinations in the Middle East. The airport is the main hub of Royal Jordanian Airlines, which operates routes from most of the major cities in Europe and North America. As the airport is served by major carriers like Emirates and Etihad, be certain to compare flight prices to get the best deal, it may be from a nearby connecting city, like Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Also tourists should be advised that budget carriers such as EasyJet operate routes to Amman, so be aware that there are other options for obtaining a cheap flight from Manchester, London or another UK airport. In recent years the city has seen a dramatic process of modernisation, meaning that those hoping to see the "old" Amman should stay in central downtown or Balad. Balad is a bustling downtown area in the heart of the old city that is popular amongst travellers searching for a real taste of Jordan. Take a walk through the narrow alleyways, sample some of the local delicacies, or explore one of the museums. In Balad visitors can also enjoy a nightly show of traditional song and dance at one of the local cafés. A must-see is the sunset view from the special viewing point near the Citadel, it is truly an unforgettable experience to hear the muezzin call as the sun sets over the city.