What is the purpose of transitional words or phrases in an essay?

jordan, an arab nation on the east bank of the jordan river, is defined by ancient monuments, nature reserves and seaside resorts. it’s home to the famed archaeological site of petra, the nabatean capital dating to around 300 b.c. set in a narrow valley with tombs, temples and monuments carved into the surrounding pinksandstone cliffs, petra earns its nickname, the "rose city."

travelers to  jordan  should avoid the country's border with syria and iraq given the continued threat of cross-border attacks.

obviously abortion

and don’t do it