- Full country name: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
– Area: 89,213 sq. km (34,445 sq.m.).
– Population: 10,407,793 million.
– Capital City: Amman. (population: 4,008,000)
– People: Arab (98%), Circassian (1%), Armenian (1%). - Languages: Arabic (official), English.
– Religions: Sunni Muslim 95%, Christian 4%, Other (1%).
– Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JD).
– Government: Constitutional Monarchy.
– Head of the State: His Majesty King Abdullah II Bin al-Hussein.
1.JORDAN CLIMATE & WEATHER
the weather
Jordan is not a large country, but its climate is indeed varied. Average daytime maximum temperatures in Amman range from around 12°C in January to 33°C in August. Winter can be surprisingly cold and snow in Amman is not uncommon. Make sure you have plenty of warm clothes and a windproof and waterproof jacket. Warm layers to wear “at home” are also a good advice.
If you want a warm escape during the winter, for example the Dead Sea and Aqaba are your best bets. Aqaba has an average daytime maximum temperature of around 20°C in January. The Jordan Valley and the area around Aqaba are nice during winter months, January-February, with chilly evenings. In the summer, June-August, this area is extremely hot.
In the Eastern Desert, the winter can be bitterly cold and dry and the summer intensely hot. The central hills can receive snowfall in the winter and evenings are cool in the summer. Rain falls between November and March. Lightweight clothes are advised between May and September.
Rain-wear is generally needed from November to April. For summer visits, come well prepared with a hat, sunscreen and protective clothing. Also, Light cotton clothing is recommended.
2.safety and security
- The security situation in Jordan is relatively good. Public order is generally good and criminality comparatively low.
- Emergency phone numbers:
- Police: 911
- Ambulance: 911
3.The traffic
Security checks are frequent along the roads. You are therefore recommended to always carry your passport or passport copy with you.
You can drive in Jordan using an International Driving Permit. Make sure you have third party insurance. If you are involved in an incident including a pedestrian, you could face imprisonment and be liable for the payment of hospital bills and other compensation.
4.INSURANCE
Prior to your departure, be sure to arrange a comprehensive travel and health insurance covering the time of your stay in Jordan.
5.MONEY
The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar, symbol JD, also pronounced as “jaydee.” There are 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 JD notes. The dinar is divided into 100 piasters (pronounced “pee-asters”) of 1000 fils (“fills”).
Moreover, the fils is the unit most commonly used and you will usually see prices written as 4,750 (which is 4 JD and 750 fils).
6.VISAS
the Duration:
Visitors to Jordan from non-Arab countries need a visa. moreover, Visas are for many nationalities, easily obtained on arrival at most border points. Jordanian visas are however not issued at the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge, if entering from Israel & the Palestinian Territories.
Equally important, If you would like a multiple entry visa you can only apply for this at Jordanian diplomatic missions abroad.
furthermore, Visa procedures at Amman Airport are usually swift and smooth. The approx. price for a tourist single entry visa is JD 40 ($60). There are money changers right next to the visa lines. And ATMs are only available after immigration.
Tourist visas are normally valid for 3 months (i.e. you must enter the country within 3 months from the date of issue), and good for a stay of 1 month from the date of entry. You can extend your visa after you arrive in Jordan up to a maximum period of 6 months. If you overstay your visa – you will be fined.
In the Middle East, visas are available from Jordanian embassies in Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Israel & the Palestinian Territories, Egypt, Iraq, Yemen and the Gulf States.
in addition to enter Jordan your passport should have at least 6 months before expiry.
Visa regulations are subject to change; always check with the Jordanian Embassy/Consulate in your country prior to your travels.
7.GETTING THERE AND AWAY
The Allenby/King Hussein Bridge, 57km away from Amman, is located in the southern Jordan Valley and is open Sun–Thurs 07:30hrs – 22:00hrs, and Fri-Sat 07:30hrs – 13:00hrs.
Visas must be arranged beforehand and cannot be obtained at the border. Additionally, private cars and tour buses cannot cross international borders – travellers must change vehicles upon crossing or use the other two border crossings.
Sheikh Hussein crossing /Northern Border is 90km away from Amman. It is located in the north, close to Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee).
Operating Hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 08:00hrs – 18:00hrs
Friday: 8:00 – 18:00hrs
Saturday: 08:30hrs – 18:00hrs.
As of 1st of January 2016, entry visas will no longer be issued at the Wadi Araba Border Crossing. The only exceptions are Israeli tour groups and others carrying proper entry documentation; entering Jordan for tourism purposes. Moreover, Israeli tourists and those carrying proper entry documents, who have purchased the 90JOD entrance ticket to the Petra Archeological Site, will be exempt from the obligatory 24 hour stay in Jordan under the following conditions:
About Iraq and Saudi Arabia:
Note: Wadi Araba Crossing closes on Islamic New Year Day and Yom Kippur.
To/From
Iraq:
Visitors can travel to Jordan by road from Iraq through
Al-Karamah Border Crossing, which is 331km away from Amman and is open 24/7
throughout the year.
To/From
Saudi Arabia:
Umari Border Crossing: 155km away from
Amman and open 24/7 throughout the year.
8.TRANSPORTATION WITHIN JORDAN
Always carry your passport with you, because when travelling around sensitive areas, such as near the border of Israel & the Palestinian Territories, i.e. most of the Jordan Valley and anywhere along the Dead Sea Highway. finally, Checkpoints and passport checks are common in these areas.
9.FOOD AND DRINKS
Food The Jordan cuisine is highly varied. It has many influences from Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, and as such enjoys being one of the world’s most sophisticated cuisines. Popular meals range from falafel (chickpea balls),foul (bean paste), hummus (chickpea paste), kubbe (grain) balls stuffed with meat), tabouleh (parsley salad), and a variety of kebabs, to stuffing of vegetables (grape leaves,eggplants, etc.), meat, and poultry. The national dish of Jordan is Mansaf: lamb seasoned with aromatic herbs, sometimes lightly spiced, cooked in yogurt, and served with huge quantities of rice. Water The quality of tap water is generally poor. You are recommended to drink bottled water, easily available in stores at a reasonable price
10.BUSINESS HOURS
Friday is the weekly holiday, when government offices, banks and most offices are closed. Most businesses and banks take half day off on Thursday. Some businesses and banks take half day off, or complete holiday, on Sunday.
Government departments are open from 8 am to 2 pm daily, except Friday. Banks are open from 8:30 am to 1 pm. Some have recently introduced afternoon hours from 4 to 6 pm. Small shops are open long hours, from around 9 am until 8 or 9 pm, often closing for a couple of hours in the mid-afternoon. Most Muslim shop owners close early or do not open on Friday, and Christians follow similar rules on Sunday. Markets and street stalls downtown remain open all week long, and Friday is their busiest day of the week.
Museums are generally open every day except Tuesday.
During Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, business hours are shorter.
Date | Holiday |
1-Jan | New Year’s Day |
21-Apr | New Year’s Day |
22-Apr | Easter |
1-May | Labor Day |
25-May | Independence Day |
4 Jun to 6 Jun | Eid |
10 Aug to 14 Aug | Eid |
31-Aug | Islamic |
9-Nov | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday |
25-Dec | Christmas Day |
* Easter holidays are observed by Christians only
11.ELECTRICITY
220 volts/50 cycles AC is used. There are several types of electrical outlets, adapters are recommended.
12.TIME
October – March: Greenwich Mean Time plus 2 hours (G.M.T. + 2).
April – September: Greenwich Mean Time plus 3 hours (G.M.T. + 3).
Jordan is seven hours ahead of US Eastern Time.
13.INTERNET
There are Internet cafes throughout the country. The Internet, like other forms of media in the country, is subject to government control. If you bring your own laptop you can easily be connected to the Internet anywhere in Amman. You can buy an Internet device (looks like a USB that enables you to be connected wherever you want) for the price of around JD 25. You charge this device with additional JD (Jordanian Dinar), depending on your usage. There is a mobile/Internet shop in the same building as the Language Institute.
14.HEALTH
Medicine Most towns have well-stocked pharmacies. Always make sure to check the expiry date of any medicine you buy in Jordan. It is better to bring unusual or important medical items with you from home. Always bring a copy of a prescription. The telephone numbers for pharmacies in Amman and Irbid, and for hospitals in Amman, Zarqa, Irbid and Aqaba, are listed in the 2 English-language newspapers. All doctors and most pharmacists who have studied in Jordan speak English, medicine is taught in English at Jordanian universities, and many have studied abroad. Dental surgeries are also fairly modern and well equipped. For minor illnesses such as diarrhea, pharmacists can often provide valuable advice and sell over-the-counter medication.. Ambulance For an ambulance in Jordan call 911. Hospitals There are modern, well- equipped public hospitals in Amman, Irbid, Aqaba and Karak, smaller hospitals in Madaba, Ramtha and Zarqa, and basic health centers in most other towns. You also find over 50 private hospitals in Jordan. Private hospitals are primarily frequented by patients from neighboring countries, attracted by the lower medical costs. Emergency treatment not requiring hospitalization is free in Jordan.