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Location

Middle East.

Time

GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 between October and March - dates vary).

Area

89,342 sq km (34,495 sq miles; not including West Bank).

Population

5.7 million (UN, 2005).

 Population Density

63.8 per sq km.

Capital

Amman. Population: 2.02 million (2002).

 Geography

Jordan shares borders with Israel, the Syrian Arab Republic, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The Dead Sea is to the northwest and the Red Sea to the southwest. A high plateau extends 324km (201 miles) from the Syrian Arab Republic to Ras en Naqab in the south with the capital of Amman at a height of 800m (2625ft). Northwest of the capital are undulating hills, some forested, others cultivated. The Dead Sea depression, 400m (1300ft) below sea level in the west, is the lowest point on earth. The River Jordan connects the Dead Sea with Lake Tiberias (Israel). To the west of Jordan is the Palestinian National Authority Region. The east of the country is mainly desert. Jordan has a tiny stretch of Red Sea coast, centred on Aqaba.

The hills and deserts of Wadi Rum come alive during springtime with over 2000 species of wild plants and flowers, including poppies, red anemones and the beautiful black iris, which is Jordan’s national flower.
 

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 Government

Constitutional Monarchy since 1952. Head of State: King Abdullah Ibn al-Hussein al-Hashimi since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Dr Adnan Badran since 2005. Recent history: Weeks before his death, King Hussein made his eldest son, Abdullah, Crown Prince. He ascended the throne on King Hussein's death on 7 February 1999. King Abdullah has gone to great lengths to plan long-term improvements to the economy of Jordan. He is one of a new generation of Arab leaders in favour of social and economic reform. He has backed the promotion of women's rights, information technology, democracy, liberal economic policies and integration with the rest of the world. Parliamentary elections last took place in June 2003 under a one-person-one-vote multi-member constituency system with quotas for women, minority ethnic and religious groups. On 5 April 2005, Faisal al-Fayez resigned as Prime Minister. The King appointed Dr Adnan Badran, a former Minister of Higher Education, as the new Prime Minister. He soon appointed a new Cabinet.

Language

Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken in the cities. French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken.

[See Useful Arabic Words]

Religion

Over 90 per cent Sunni Muslim, with Christian and Shiite Muslim minorities.

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Electricity

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used. Lamp sockets are screw-type, and there is a wide range of wall sockets.

Climate: Hot and dry summers with cool evenings. The Jordan Valley below sea level is warm during winter and extremely hot in summer. Rain falls between November and March, while colder weather conditions occur in December/January.

Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens are advised between May and September. Warmer clothes are necessary for winter and cool summer evenings. Rainwear is needed from November to April.

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Accommodation

There are several high-standard hotels throughout the country, most of which are run by well-known international chains. Amman and Aqaba, in particular, have a good choice of hotels. Hotels are fully booked during business periods so reservations are advised. Winter and summer rates are the same. All rates are subject to 20 per cent tax and service. There are serviced apartments available. Grading: Hotels are graded from 5- to 1-star. 5- and 4-star hotels have discos and nightclubs with live music. Prices are fixed by the Ministry of Tourism, which can also deal with complaints.

Currency: Dinar (JD) = 1000 fils. Notes are in denominations of JD50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, and 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of 1000, 500, 250, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils.

Currency exchange: Foreign currencies can be exchanged easily in banks and bureaux de change. Most hotels also provide exchange facilities. The daily exchange rates are published in local newspapers.

Credit & debit cards: American Express and Visa are widely accepted, whilst Diners Club and MasterCard have more limited use. Check with your credit and debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: Those issued by UK banks are accepted by licensed banks and bureaux de change. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions: The import of local currency is unlimited. The export of local currency is restricted to JD300. The import of foreign currency is unrestricted provided declared on arrival. Export of foreign currency is up to the amount imported and declared.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Dinar against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date May '04 Aug '04 Nov '04 Feb '05

A£1.00= 1.27 1.30 1.34 1.35

$1.00= 0.71 0.70 0.70 071  

Banking hours: Sat-Thurs 0830-1500. Hours during Ramadan are 0830-1000, although some banks open in the afternoon.

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Communications:

Telephone: IDD service is available within cities, with direct dialling to most countries. Country code: 962 (followed by 6 for Amman). Outgoing international code: 00. There are telephone and facsimile connections to Israel from Jordan.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 network in use. Network providers include Jordan MTS (website: www.fastlink.com.jo) and MobileCom (website: www.mobilecom.jo).

Fax: The use of fax is increasing. Most good hotels have facilities and the main post office in Amman also provides a fax service.

Telegram: The overseas telegram service is reasonably good. Telegrams may be sent from the Central Telegraph Office; Post Office, First Circle, Jebel Amman; Post Office, Jordan Intercontinental, Jebel Amman; or from major hotels and post offices.

Internet: There are Internet cafes in Amman, Aqaba Jerash and Jordan. The main ISP is Jordan Data Communications (website: www.wanadoo.jo).

Post: Packages should be left opened for customs officials. Airmail to Western Europe takes three to five days. For a higher charge, there is a rapid service guaranteeing delivery within 24 hours to around 22 countries. Post office hours: Sat-Thurs 0800-1800, closed Friday (except for the downtown post office on Prince Mohammed Street in Amman which is open on Fridays).

Press: The English-language newspapers are Arab Daily, The Jordan Times (daily) and The Star (weekly).

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

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Holidays:

 Friday and Saturday are the official weekly holiday. Some tourist services stay open while businesses 

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