Jordan is a land of striking contrasts. Bedouin traditions coexist with modern lifestyles, contemporary buildings with the ancient ruins of past civilizations, colorful sunsets with stretches of white sandy desert. The geology of the land is no exception. Jordan has a wealth of unique, yet equally magnificent landscapes ranging from the black basalt deserts in the east to the inspirational wadis of the western highlands, from the rugged mountains of the Rift Valley escarpment to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth.
This small Arab Kingdom holds within its borders, sites of antiquity that rank among the most exceptional in the world. The unique rose red city of Petra; the outstanding remains of Jerash, one of the most magnificent of Roman provincial cities, the remarkable vestiges of Umayyad palaces built deep in the desert; the incredibly scenic Wadi Rum, which is permanently associated with Lawrence of Arabia.
aJordan is truly a land of spectacular culture, scenery and people.
For those seeking adventure, mystique, ancient roots, relaxation and an opportunity to witness the monuments of a civilization over 2000 years old- Jordan is the place!
JORDAN THE HOLYLAND
Many places named in the Bible today are located in Jordan. To name a few: along the 6.000 years old King’s Highway, you travel through the kingdoms of Ammon, Moab and Edom. From Mount Nebo you can see the Dead Sea, Jerusalem and Jericho, just like Moses did when he first caught a glimpse of the Holy Land. Near the river Jordan, you will find Bethany, the place where John the Baptist lived and to which Jesus fled for safety after being threatened with stoning in Jerusalem.During the Byzantine Empire, which reigned from 330 to 640 AD, Jordan’s population increased and was apparently prosperous. The most common religion in those days was that of the early Christians. Throughout the country there are still a lot of archaeological remains to be found. The famous Byzantine mosaics even now are very impressive. Mosaics were made in private homes, but nowadays it’s mostly churches which are open for visiting. During your trip to Madaba, see the masterpiece of the 6th century map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Other places with Byzantine sights you will want to visit are Jerash and Umm Qais.
HISTORICAL SITES
Jordan also was the battleground of the Crusades. When the Arabs attacked the holy places of the Byzantines, the crusaders came to their aid. Along the King’s Highway you visit the castles of Karak and Shobak, both strategically built on top of a mountain. Even if you only want to admire the view, it’s worth visiting the castles. It was in Karak where Saladin and Richard Lionheart fought their battles. After the Byzantine period, Islam became the most common religion in Jordan. The empire of the famous Umayyad dynasty reached from Central Asia to Spain. The Umayyad built the Alhambra in Granada, the Mezquita in Cordoba and the famous mosques in Damascus and Aleppo. In Jordan, they built several palaces, mainly in the eastern desert, which in those days was far greener than nowadays and was used as hunting ground. Jordan's historical and cultural legacy dates back a long time, as it was inhabited by people as early as the Stone Age. It has undergone influences of the Persians, the Nabateans, the Greeks, the Romans, the Arabs, the Mamluks and the Ottomans. During the beginning of the 20th centur, the Arab tribes fought for their independence. After the battle, in which the well-known Lawrence of Arabia played an important role, in 1921, Britain finally recognized Transjordan as an independent state. After the Second World War, Britain gave up its mandate on Transjordan and Jordan became the independent Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
FACTS
Location
Jordan is located in the heart of the Middle East, Northwest of Saudi Arabia, South of Syria, Southwest of Iraq, and East of Israel and the Palestenian National Authority. Jordan has access to the Red Sea via the port city of Aqaba, located at the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba. Geographic co-ordinates: 29 - 34 00 N, 35 - 39 E Area
total: 89,213 sq. km (34, 445 sq. miles) land: 88,884 sq. km (34, 318 sq. miles) water: 329 sq. km (127 sq. miles)
Population
5,460,265 (July 2003 est.)
Capital
Amman (1.9 million / 38% of total population)
Language
Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken.
Currency and Exchange Rates
Jordan's currency is the Jordanian Dinar, or JD. It is subdivided into 1000 fils, or 100 qirsh or piastres. It appears in paper notes of 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, and 0.5 JD denominations. Coins come in denominations of 1 JD, 0.5 JD, 0.25 JD, and 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils. The daily exchange rate is published in local newspapers.
United States Dollar 708/00 710/00
(As from June 28, 2001) You can change foreign cash or travellers’ checks at any bank in Jordan. Only traveller's checks will be charged a commission. Also, there are authorized money-changers in Amman, Aqaba and Irbid, and you will usually get a slightly better rate of exchange at money-changers than at banks. Hotels of three stars or above will also change money but at a less favourable rate. Foreigners are permitted to open accounts at Jordanian banks in either Jordanian Dinar or in foreign currencies. Currency exchange operates under the guidelines and regulations of the Central Bank of Jordan. The Central Bank also sets the minimum and maximum interest rates for financial institutions to follow.
Climate and Geography
Jordan can be divided into three physiographic regions, each with a distinct climate. 1. The highlands comprise mountainous and hilly regions that run through Jordan from north to south. The highlands are by no means uniform. Their altitude varies from 600 to 1600 meters (1969-5249 feet) above sea level. Generally wet and cool, also varies from one area to another. The average temperature in Amman ranges from 8.1 degrees Celsius (46.6 Fahrenheit) in January to 25.1 degrees (77.2 Fahrenheit) in July.
2. The Jordan Rift Valley which also runs along the entire length of Jordan. The Rift Valley plunges to over 400 meters below sea level at the Dead Sea, becoming the lowest spot on earth, and reaches a maximum width of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles). The Rift Valley ends in the south at Aqaba, a tropical resort surrounded by mountains. Aqaba also enjoys a warm, sunny climate throughout the year and is a tourist destination sporting some of the world's most spectacular underwater life.
3. The desert region in the east Jordan is an extension of the Arabian Desert, and forms nearly two-thirds of the country. There is an extreme variation in the climate of the desert between day and night, and between summer and winter. Summer temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), while winter nights can be bitterly cold, dry and windy.
