Moab

Ancient country in Jordan, east of the southern part of the River Jordan and the Dead Sea. The inhabitants were closely akin to the Hebrews in culture, language, and religion, but were often at war with them, as recorded in the Old Testament.

Moab eventually fell to Arab invaders. The Moabite Stone, discovered in 1868 at Dhiban, dates from the 9th century BC and records the rising of Mesha, king of Moab, against Israel.

Moab

City and seat of Grand County, east-central Utah; population (1990) 4,000. Moab is situated 3km/2 mi east of the Colorado River, which it overlooks, and 40 km/25 mi west of the Colorado state line.

Moab was founded by Mormon missionaries in 1855, and named after a biblical nation. It was a famous ‘Wild West’ locale and featured in several of the novels of Zane Grey. Today, the city's picturesque quality and mountainous scenery make it popular with tourists, and it is also a favourite film location. Economically, it is a trade centre for an area producing livestock, fruit, and market garden vegetables. The major uranium processing facility here is supplied by nearby mines; other minerals extracted in the area are vanadium, salt, and potash. Moab is the headquarters of the Manti–La Sal National Forest and is a gateway to Canyonlands National Park (19 km/12 mi southwest) and Arches National Park (3 km/2 mi north).