Jordan is a country of culture, beauty and surprising contrasts. It is an ancient land, yet a modern Kingdom, offering the discerning traveler fascinating diversity, safety and traditional hospitality. Few nations boast such close affinity to the great historical epochs of the world nor do many match its beautiful climate. Here the very destiny of mankind has been reshaped, time and centuries, resulting in layer after layer of unparalleled spectacles of nature and human achievements.

The journey can begin in Amman, the modern capital of Jordan previously known in history as Rabbath Ammon and in Graeco-Roman times as Philadelphia. The city is a busy administrative center with many fine hotels, restaurants, art galleries and museums. Amman is crowned by the Citadel, a hill with ruins of the Temple of Hercules, Umayyad Palace and a Byzantine church. At the foot of the Citadel lies the 6,000 seat Roman Theatre.

Only half an hour's drive north of Amman is the Graeco-Roman city of Jerash (Gerasa in ancient times), which boasts an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years. The site is now generally acknowledged to be one of the best preserved Roman provincial towns in the world compromising paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, spectacular theatres, spacious public squares, plazas, baths and fountains. The Jerash Festival held in July each year, transforms the ancient city into one of the world's liveliest and most spectacular cultural events.
 

 The first city along the way is Madaba (the city of Mosaics), which has been intermittently inhabited for nearly 3,500 years. The chief attraction in this city is a wonderful vivid 6th century Byzantine mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. There are also literally hundreds of other mosaics scattered throughout Madaba's churches and homes.

Mount Nebo, the memorial to Moses and the presumed site of the prophets death and burial. From the platform in front of the church one can enjoy a breath-taking view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea.

Other places of interest in the vicinity are Mukawir (Machaerus), the mountain top fortress, where John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded, and Umm al Rasas, home to some of the finest Byzantine church mosaics in the Middle East and the 15 meter high Byzantine tower.
The ancient city of Petra is one of Jordan's national treasures and its best known tourist attraction. Located about three hours south of Amman, Petra is the Legacy of the Nabataens, an industrious Arab people who settled in south Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. Much of Petra's appeal comes from its spectacular setting deep inside a narrow desert gorge. From the main entrance the visitor travels on foot through the awesome "Siq", an immense crack in the sandstone that winds for one kilometer between overhanging cliffs.
Petra's most famous monument, the Treasury, appears dramatically at the end of the Siq and various walks and climbs reveal literally hundreds of buildings, facades, tombs, baths, funery halls, temples and a 3,000 seat theatre from the 1st century AD.

Jordan's deserts are dotted with ancient castles, farming estates, forts, hunting lodges and caravanserai. Widely varied in function, architectural style and creative embellishment, most were the domain of Ummayad Princes in the first half of the century.

Qusayr' Amra one of the best-preserved castles, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its interior walls and ceilings are covered with lively frescoes, while two of the rooms are paved with colorful mosaics.
 

The Kingdom is home to the most significant religious discovery of our time, The Baptism Site at Bethany Beyond the Jordan (John 1:28). Other sites of importance are the site of Moses' death at Mount Nebo, the site of the beheading of John the Baptist at Machaerus, prophet Elijah's birthplace at Listib and the modern shrine to Our lady of the Mountain Anjara. All of which were designated as Great Jubilee Pilgrimage sites.

As for the Islamic faith, Jordan is a blessed land that links Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, and accordingly has witnessed the birth of Islam and its growth as a global religion. A large number of Prophet Mohammad's companions were martyred and buried in Jordan. Three important historical sites are the battle of Mutah and the two sites of the battles of Yarmouk and Fahl.
Naturally, Jordan has a dramatically diverse environment that can be arrestingly beautiful as it is ruggedly stark. Among its natural wonders is the most stunning deserts cape in the World, Wadi Rum. This vast, echoing and God-like desert is a nature lover's paradise. Serious mountaineers relish its challenging climbs, while casual hikers enjoy the peace and tranquility of its sweeping vistas, towering rock faces and boundless empty spaces.

Within the folds of the Jordan Valley lies the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, which has a historical and spiritual legacy of its own. Rich in minerals that have seeped from adjacent wadis, the Dead Sea, as well as having exceptionally buoyant water, is believed to have curative powers. The visitor can relax in the gentle lapping waters without sinking, or try the well-known healing powers of minerals from the sea's muddy floor.

Surrounded by rugged mountains that subtly change colours as the day unfolds, Aqaba is Jordan's only port city. Its crystal clear waters, abundant marine life and pleasant climate, make it an ideal location for year round scuba diving, snorkeling and other water sports.
The 300 esq. Dana Nature Reserve, which extends from top of the rift valley to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba, is remarkable for its diverse habitat and the large number of plant and animal species making it their home. In addition to Dana, the Shaumari and Mujib Nature Reserves are home to the Arabian Oryx, ostrich, gazelle, onager and the Nubian Ibex.

The Government

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy with representative government. The reigning monarch, His Majesty King Abdullah II, is the Head of State, the Chief Executive and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces. The king exercises his executive authority through the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, or Cabinet. The cabinet is responsible before the elected House of Deputies which, along with the House of Notables (Senate), constitutes the legislative branch of the government. The judicial branch is an independent branch of the government. Since 1989, all elements of the Jordanian political spectrum have embarked together on a road to greater democracy, liberalization and consensus building. These reforms, which were guided by the late King Hussein, have placed Jordan on an irreversible road to democratization. The result has been greater empowerment and involvement of everyday citizens in Jordan's civic life, contributing to increased stability and institutionalization which will benefit the country far into the future.

Basic Facts

Population: 5,460,265 (July 2003 est.)
Geographic co-ordinates: 29 - 34 00 N, 35 - 39 E
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 Occupied West Bank. Jordan has access to the Red Sea via the port city of Aqaba, located at the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba.

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)
Language: Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken.
 

Business Hours

Fridays and Saturdays government offices, banks and most offices are closed. Government departments are open from 08:00 to 15:00 daily, Sunday to Thursday.

Public Holidays for 2008
 

 (Data - Sofex Jordan)