Jordan
A well-traveled bridge between sea and desert, east and west, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a land of mesmerizing beauty and contrasts, from the Jordan Valley, fertile, ever changing, to the remote desert canyons, immense and still. Visitors can explore splendid desert castles, gaze in awe at the haunting wilderness of Wadi Rum, or bathe in the restful waters of the Red Sea.
For adventure lovers, there’s horse riding, 4×4 safaris, rock climbing and hiking. For taking it easy, nothing on earth compares to the Dead Sea and the Red Sea, with their many spa facilities.
Modern Jordan was founded by King Abdullah I after World War I. It was ruled by his grandson, the late King Hussein, for 46 years until his death in 1999, when his son, King Abdullah II, assumed the throne. Jordan has grown into a modern nation that has enjoyed a remarkable measure of peace, stability and economic growth in recent decades.
Jordan is a unique destination offering breathtaking sights, charming accommodations, and exquisite cuisine. Jordan is home to countless wonders that are sure to leave you in awe...
JUST THE FACTS
The official language of Jordan is Arabic, but English is widely spoken especially in the cities.
Jordan boasts almost year-round sunshine with temperate, comfortable weather. Spring and autumn are fresh and crisp with rain being more common in the spring. The long summer days are hot and sunny with cool evenings. Wintertime can be cold in the desert, but is pleasantly moderate in most of the country. This is an especially good time for a trip to Aqaba or the Dead Sea where temperatures are warmer.
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.
Telephone services within Jordan are efficient and reliable. Directories in Arabic and English are widely available and international calls can be made from public and private phones. Fax services are available at most hotels while telegrams can be sent from post offices. Internet access is widespread via Internet cafes and hotels.
220 AC volts, 50 cycles, requiring rounded two-prong wall plugs.
The local currency is the Jordanian Dinar.
The dinar is divided into 100 piasters of 1000 fils.
Exchange rates are set daily by the Jordanian Central Bank. Currency can be exchanged at major banks, exchange booths and at most hotels.
Credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants and larger shops, including American Express, Visa, Diners Club, and MasterCard. Please note that many smaller shops still prefer cash payment in the Jordanian currency, and it’s essential for shopping in the local souks.
Wherever you go in Jordan you will find plenty of opportunities to shop.
For visitors there is a wide range of locally made handicrafts and other goods available at all the popular sites, as well as within the boutiques of the leading hotels.
Take time to visit the souks in Jordan’s larger towns and cities. These are treasure troves for those seeking something a little bit out of the ordinary. Within the souks are also excellent gold and silver outlets, where some great bargains can be found. Also worth visiting are the busy market shops, especially for exotic spices, herbs and seasonings.
Food is commonly used by Jordanians to express their hospitality and generosity, if you find yourself in Jordan, it’s a must that you try Jordanian food, especially Mansaf, Zarb, Knafeh, traditional breakfast.
Enjoy delectable Jordanian food coupled with the legendary lore of Jordanian hospitality creates an unforgettable atmosphere of festivities each time a meal is served.
Banks, businesses, government offices and many shops close all day for public holidays.
Fixed public holidays include:
– New Year’s Day January 1st
– Labor Day May 1st
– Independence Day May 25th
– Christmas Day December 25th
A number of public holidays are not fixed. These include Easter and the following Islamic Holidays, which are based on the Lunar calendar:
– Eid al-Fitr – A 3 or 4-day feast marking the end of Ramadan.
– Eid al-Adha – A 4 day feast at the end of the Hajj, or month of pilgrimage to Mecca.
– First of Muharam – Islamic New Year.
– 12 Rabee Al Awal – The Birthday of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).