Location - Asia, Middle East.
Area - 89,342 square Km.
Boundaries - 1,619 km Coastline: 26 Km.
Border Countries - North: Syria 375 km; North East: Iraq
181 km South & South East: Saudi Arabia 728 km; South: Red Sea; West: West
Bank 97 km.
Elevation - Extremes Lowest point: 408 m below sea level (Dead
Sea area) Highest point: 1,754 m above sea level (Rum mountain in Wadi Rum).
Major Cities - Ajloun, Aqaba, Amman, Irbid, Jerash, Karak,
Ma'an, Madaba, Mafraq, Salt, Tafileh, Zarqa.
Jordan, a young country dense with history, full of natural wonders and historical
Situated just east of the River Jordan, it continues to be a bridge between
ancient and new civilizations and an open air museum in almost all its entirety.
Jordan is a country for all seasons. In winter it offers therapy at the Dead
Sea, the lowest point on earth where "floating" rather than "swimming" is
a unique adventure in the extremely saline and mineral rich waters.
The adventurous travelers can practice year round a variety of water sports
at the resort of Aqaba, on the Red Sea, home of one of the best coral reefs
in the world.
The more romantic visitor can camp in bedouin tents or sleep right under the
stars, climb mountains or ride camels on the very trek followed in desert of
Wadi Rum by Lawrence of Arabia.
In summer, Petra, the ancient rose-red city carved in mountain rock is your
ultimate, and astonishing destination. It is as beautiful to see as are northern
parts of the country, Umm Qais, Jerash with its wonderfully preserved Roman
ruins, or the capital, Amman, and the mosaic city of Madaba. A world of mystery
and wonderful hospitality is open for you just east of the River Jordan.
Shopping bargains, souvenirs, excellent oriental and international cuisine,
aromas, flavours, colors and most of all smiling people will mix and blend
to make your stay in Jordan an unforgettable one.
A host of prophets graced Jordan by living in or traveling through Jordan,
these include Nuh (Noah), Lut (Lot), El-Khedr (St. George), Ibrahim (Abraham),
Ilyas (Elijah), Hud, Shu'ayb (Jethro), Yosha' (Joshua) his tomb near Salt,
Musa (Moses) the site of his death on Mount Nebo, Harun (Aaron) his tomb in
Petra, Dawud (David) his Shrine in Mazar Al-Shamali near Kerak, Sulayman (Solomon),
Ayyub (Job), Yahya (John), Eesa (Jesus), and prophet Mohammad, Peace and blessing
be upon them All.
In 1921 H.E.H Emir Abdullah ibn Al-Hussein secured recognition for the Emirate
of Trans-jordan, that became fully established in 1923.
Fully independence came on May 25, 1946. In 1950 it became Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan.
King: His Majesty King Abdullah II, son of the late his
Majesty King Hussein I.
Crown Prince H.R.H.: Crown Prince Hamza, son of the late his
Majesty King Hussein I.
Location & General Informations
Southwestern Asia, situated near the south-eastern coast of the Mediterranean
sea, bounded on the north by Syria, on the east by Iraq and Saudi Arabia,
on the south by Saudi Arabia and the Gulf of Aqaba, and on the west by Palestine
and Israel. See map in Map & Sites page.
Official language: Arabic.
Second language: English.
Religions: Muslims 94% - Christians 5%.
Measures: Metric.
Time: GMT +02:00 - US EST +7.
Electricity: 220 Volts, 50 AC.
Currency: Jordanian Dinar.
Int'l Dialing Code: 00962.
Business Hours
Government Offices: 8:00 to 16:00 (Sun to Thu).
Banks: 8:30 to 17:00 (Sun to Thu) - ATM services available.
Shops & Malls: 9:00 to 20:30.
Private Sector: 9:00 to 18:00 - with one or two hours
launch break .
Note: during the holy month of Ramadan working hours are
usually reduced.
Entry Requirements
Individuals and groups of all nationalities (with some exceptions) are issued
visa upon arrival at any port of entry in Jordan upon presentation of passport,
or at Jordanian diplomatic missions abroad.
See this list of visa restricted and non-restricted countries.
The fee for the visa is JD 10 = $15 for all nationalities except Arabs (free).
There is also a departure tax of JD 5 = $7.5.
For groups, collective list is necessary which includes: Surname, Profession,
Date and Place of Birth, Nationality, Passport Information (Number, Issue Date,
Expiry Date). Collective visas for groups from any port or border are free
of charge except from Sheikh Hussein and Araba borders.
Note: Previous visa is required, except when crossing from
Jerusalem to Amman via Allenby.
Currency & Exchange
The currency of Jordan is Jordanian Dinar (JD) which equals $1.4 US Dollars
(One US Dollar = 0.708 JD). One JD is 1000 fils.
Coin denominations are: 10, 25, 50, 100 fils, 0.25, and 0.5 dinar.
Paper denominations are: 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 dinars.
Exchange facilities are available at all points of entry, banks, hotels,
and currency exchange offices. Rates are displayed and you may wish to ask
for a receipt. There are no restrictions on visitors to bring in, and take
out, foreign currencies. Familiarize yourself with the exchange rates published
in daily newspapers.
Credit cards and Traveller Cheques are accepted at most hotels, car rental agencies,
shops and restaurants. Major cards accepted are Master Card, Visa, Eurocard,
AMEX and Diners Club.
Climate
The climate depends on which part of the country you are in, as altitude
ranges from 400 meters (1,312 feet) below mean sea level at dead sea, to 1850
meter above sea level at the Al-Shirah mountains.
The climate tends to be dry during Summer, while Winter and Spring are cooler,
and during these seasons most of the country's rainfall occurs. June to September
are the hottest months of the year where temperature rises to about 32oC (89.6
F).
The period between December and March is the coolest. Snowfall often occurs and
temperatures stay around 15oC (59 F) during the day.
Holidays
Friday and Saturday are the official weekly holiday. Some tourist services
stay open while businesses and banks are closed.
New Year: 1st January.
King Abdullah II Birthday: 30th January.
Labor Day: 1st May.
Independence Day: 25th May.
King Abdullah II Accession: 9th June.
Army Day & Arab Renaissance Day: 10th June.
King Hussein's Birthday: 14th November.
Islamic holidays based on Hijri/Lunar calendar
Eid Al-Fiter: 3 days marking end of Ramadan (fasting month).
Eid Al-Adha: 4 days at the end of Hajj.
Islamic New Year: 1st of Moharram.
Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) Birthday: 12th Rabe'a El-Awwal.
Al-Isra' Wal Mi'raj: 27th Rajab.
Christianity holidays
Christmas Day: 25th of December.
Easter: 2 Days.
Tourist Information Offices
Queen Alia Airport : +962-6-4451531.
Royal Jordanian Airlines
Inquiries: +962-6-4453333.
Flight Information: +962-6-4453200.
Sales: +962-6-5663525.
Reservations: +962-6-5678321.
Cargo: +962-6-4641804.
Emergency Phone Numbers
Phone Inquiries 24hrs.: 1212 (local).
Police: 191 (local).
Amman Civil Defense: 199 (local).
Irbid Civil Defense: +962-2-243323.
Health Complaints: +962-6-5661171.
Amman Fire Brigade: +962-6-4622090/93.
Blood Bank: +962-6-4749121.
Highway Police: +962-6-5343401.
Traffic Police: +962-6-4896390/1.
Traffic Accidents: +962-6-4896390.
Amman Municipality : +962-6-4787111.
Electricity Emergency: +962-6-4750981/2/3.
Tipping
Tipping is a way of showing your satisfaction with a service rendered. Tips
to your driver, guide and the hotel personnel are not included and left to
your discretion.
Map & Sites
Road Distance between cities in Km. |
# |
01 |
02 |
03 |
04 |
05 |
06 |
07 |
08 |
09 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
Amman 01 |
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Ajloun 02 |
73 |
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Umari 03 |
150 |
202 |
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Aqaba 04 |
328 |
396 |
464 |
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Azraq 05 |
103 |
155 |
48 |
415 |
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King Hussien Brdg. 06 |
56 |
78 |
200 |
366 |
152 |
|
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Iraq Border 07 |
331 |
333 |
278 |
654 |
229 |
387 |
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Irbid 08 |
89 |
32 |
193 |
412 |
143 |
109 |
309 |
|
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Jerash 09 |
51 |
22 |
109 |
374 |
132 |
88 |
311 |
38 |
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Kerak 10 |
118 |
182 |
253 |
237 |
205 |
146 |
434 |
198 |
160 |
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Ma'an 11 |
212 |
279 |
347 |
117 |
289 |
250 |
528 |
295 |
257 |
144 |
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Madaba 12 |
32 |
95 |
167 |
323 |
119 |
60 |
348 |
113 |
74 |
86 |
213 |
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Mafraq 13 |
70 |
65 |
147 |
397 |
98 |
136 |
269 |
45 |
43 |
186 |
280 |
100 |
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North Shuna 14 |
103 |
53 |
213 |
426 |
164 |
93 |
344 |
34 |
68 |
212 |
369 |
126 |
79 |
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Petra 15 |
230 |
297 |
365 |
97 |
317 |
268 |
546 |
313 |
275 |
142 |
45 |
228 |
298 |
327 |
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|
Salt 16 |
30 |
63 |
140 |
353 |
123 |
38 |
351 |
89 |
50 |
139 |
236 |
53 |
91 |
78 |
254 |
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Mudawra 17 |
342 |
409 |
477 |
247 |
428 |
380 |
658 |
425 |
387 |
174 |
130 |
343 |
410 |
439 |
17 |
366 |
|
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South Shuna 18 |
47 |
68 |
191 |
357 |
143 |
10 |
378 |
100 |
79 |
136 |
240 |
50 |
117 |
83 |
258 |
28 |
370 |
|
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|
Syria Border 19 |
94 |
57 |
190 |
414 |
141 |
131 |
312 |
25 |
43 |
202 |
298 |
116 |
43 |
60 |
316 |
93 |
428 |
121 |
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Tafila 20 |
179 |
242 |
321 |
178 |
266 |
207 |
495 |
259 |
221 |
61 |
91 |
147 |
247 |
272 |
81 |
200 |
221 |
197 |
264 |
|
Zarqa 21 |
23 |
80 |
127 |
349 |
79 |
79 |
308 |
92 |
59 |
139 |
233 |
53 |
47 |
117 |
251 |
44 |
363 |
70 |
90 |
200 |